Fan of a Fan: The Album

Recording information: Allure Studios, Los Angeles; Ameraycan Studios, Los Angeles; Record Plant, Los Angeles, CA.
Photographer: Ben Cope.
After two collaborative mixtapes and a couple big tag-team singles, "Deuces" and "Loyal," that were close to unavoidable on commercial radio, a proper duo album from Chris Brown and Tyga was the next logical step. Despite two lead voices throughout, Fan of a Fan: The Album is similar to their preceding solo albums in that it is stuffed with guest appearances. Not one member of the all-male succession -- Ty Dolla $ign, 50 Cent, Pusha T, Fat Trel, Boosie Badazz, or Schoolboy Q -- is in top form, yet their contributions prop up the headliners. Unsurprisingly, much of the material is a reflection of the carefree (and early-'90s) look of the album's packaging, with playful braggart jabs like "She don't think that I can change, so I switched from a Benz to a Range" representative of the mentality. It's not all clowning around. There is some depth through a handful of slower, less rowdy cuts like "Westside," "Girl You Loud," and "Better," the last of which is a sweetly melodic, repentant ballad. ~ Andy Kellman