Vivian

Vivian is the second studio album by American neo soul singer Vivian Green, released by Columbia on May 31, 2005 in Japan and June 28, 2005 in the United States. The album involves production by Scott Storch and James Poyser with additional production from Anthony Bell, Junius Bervine, and Adam Black Stone, among others. Vivian spawned three singles: "Gotta Go Gotta Leave (Tired)", "I Like It (But I Don't Need It)" and "Cursed". The album debuted at number eighteen on the Billboard 200 chart on July 16, 2005 with first-week sales of 46,000 copies. Critical reception People magazine called the album a "satisfying sophomore outing" and wrote: "Vivian, with its more straightforward contemporary soul, lacks the jazzy shadings of the superior A Love Story, and the last third of the disc suffers from a few forgettable tracks. By then, however, Green and her everywoman appeal have already left a winning impression." Allmusic editor Andy Kellman felt that Green "sounds more sure of herself here than on A Love Story, and she's also more convincing, regardless of the scenario she's placed within. A few extraneous songs do weigh Vivian down, but it's still a marked improvement over her debut." PopMatters critic Steve Horowitz found that while "Vivian has many merits, the disc does suffer from too much of the same thing. Not only are the lyrics repetitive in nature, but the basic instrumentation and static beats get tiresome [...] Vivian may be more radio friendly as a result." Rolling Stone journalist Barry Walters remarked that "trading the jazzy retro-soul of her debut for overly familiar mainstream R&B; beats, Green now strains her pipes like every other overwrought wanna-be diva, with diminished results. Too many tortured relationship songs suggest Green should consider musical and couples counseling."