Secrets (Toni Braxton Album) - Critical Reception

Critical Reception

The album received generally positive reviews from music critics. Stephen Thomas Erlewine from Allmusic gave to the album 4.5 out of 5 stars, writing that "her vocal talent is what unites Secrets and makes it into a first-rate contemporary R&B collection. Braxton is a singer who can cross over into the smooth confines of adult contemporary radio without losing or betraying the soul that lies at the foundation of her music, and her talent burns at its brightest on Secrets." Ken Tucker wrote for Entertainment Weekly that "Taken together, this pair of songs not only demonstrates Braxton's technical range but confirms her ability to deliver Secrets' sermons of sensuality — little gospels of good and bad loving — with unusual eloquence." Robert Christgau in his consumer guide for MSN wrote that "The apprentice diva of the debut was modest, composed, virtually anonymous. I'll take the right It Girl anytime--especially one who insists on getting her props."

David Frick from Rolling Stone wrote that "As designer champagne 'n' anguish R&B goes, Secrets goes down nice and easy." The album debuted at number two on the Billboard 200 selling over 152,000 copies its first week and at the top of the R&B Albums, her second. It spent 92 weeks on the Pop chart and as of March 2012 has sold over 7,346,000 in the US and over 20 million World Wide.