Vivian is the second studio album by Americanneo 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.[3]
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."[5]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."[1]
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."[6]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."[7]
The first single from the album, "Gotta Go Gotta Leave (Tired)", peaked at number 24 on the US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs.[13] The single became Green's second top 40 hit on the chart and her second chart-topped on the Hot Dance Club Songs after 2003's "Emotional Rollercoaster."[13] The second single from the album was "I Like It (But I Don't Need It)," another number-one hit on the Hot Dance Club Songs. Third and final single from the album was "Cursed". Released in late 2005, the single didn't match the commercial success of the previous two singles, peaking at a number 2 on the Bubbling Under R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, which is equivalent to number 102 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.[13]
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