 The Element Of Freedom....Indeed |
| Review Date: December 17, 2009 |
| Reviewer: Jason A. Clark, York PA |
I was a bit apprehensive with the new album when I heard and saw the video for the first single "Doesn't Mean Anything". It just seemed like it went on and on, and it got boring afterwhile. Then my interest was peaked a bit when the second single "Try Sleeping With A Broken Heart" was released; I didn't care for the video all too much but it was different than her other singles. So when the day came that it finally came out, I figure why not get it (or someone get it for me).
Alicia Keys has never let me down with previous albums, despite the inconsistencies on each album. I put the album in and I haven't stop playing it since.
For starters, she actually put an intro, and it makes sense and its pretty deep given its short.
Then it continues into "Love Is blind" which I really really love because it's not her usual sound and register, I almost thought it was somebody else. The lyrics are 'take 'em or leave 'em' but the music and the production is so addictive, you're jamming anyway.
By the time "Doesn't Mean Anything" came around, it made sense where it was and it was less obnoxious after hearing "Love Is Blind".
Although, I cringe when artists put all there singles in chronological order on the album, it didn't bother me much when the song was followed by the 2nd single "Try Sleeping With A Broken Heart".
There are slight weak moments: "Wait Til You See Smile" is one of those light, fluffy records on the album that teeter between fluff and filler. But I will give Alicia credit for putting those light, airy songs between heavy hitting moments on the album.
My two all-time favorites on the album, three if you include "Try Sleeping With A Broken Heart", are That's How Strong My Love Is" & "Un-thinkable (I'm Ready)".
The lyrics of "That's How Strong My Love Is" are reminscient of the flow of "If I Ain't Got You" & "This Woman's Worth". Her phrasing in the song gives me chills and the haunting chords in the background just knock me out. The chorus is one of her strongest choruses and is a testament of how deep she is as an artist.
I really love "Un-thinkable (I'm Ready)" because it has a nice groove but it also makes you think of those intimate occasions with a special someone. That also gives me chills.
"Love Is My Disease" reminds me of the song featuring John Mayer from her last album, her voice is a bit hoarse which works for the urgency of the song. This girl shows vulnerability like no other female artist, outside of Beyonce.
"Like the Sea" is another light song but its more about her piano skills than it is about the material. so that's about a 3/5
"Put It In A Love Song", O.M.G. I was a little curious how it was going to work with Beyonce & Alicia. Both are strong women but their styles are different but very much high grade. I could've did without the simple beat but they both brought their A-game to this song.
"This Bed" another light song but the beat is a bit addictive
I guess Alicia had to add some more depth and eclectism to her album, "Distance & Time" and "How It Feels To Fly" are what that's for.
"Empire State Of Mind (Part II)" is almost a better version than the original. She kept the chorus, which made sense, but she added her own words. I love it...
all and all, this is one of her more impressive and fun records and it sounded like she was more free on this record...
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Alicia Keys put her foot in this one!
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| Review Date: January 8, 2010 |
| Reviewer: Quincy L. Armour, |
| Let me 1st say that its a matter of opinion true, but I see some less then 4 star ratings here. Im not sure what those listeners were lookin' for or what they heard in this album, but I have to respectfully disagree. This is the best thing I have heard in a long time. It deserves to be bought and not pirated. Its the 1st album I have heard since I was a kid that I listened to every song and liked all of them. As the title of this review says she put her foot in this. This is in heavy rotation on the iPhone. So for all you real Alicia Keys fans out there. This is well worth it. From the rooter to the tooter, Start to finish, this is a true 5 star album. And I cant remember the last time I gave a 5 star rating on a CD. Some of todays music is such garbage, I don't see how people can make a living off what is put out these days. But this one deserves every dollar it nets. R.I.P Michael Jackson (The true king of Pop). |
Distance and Time - Army Wife
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| Review Date: December 24, 2009 |
| Reviewer: C. Alford, |
| I am in love with this album. My husband is currently deployed to Afghanistan. There are many songs on here that I enjoy. The song Distance and Time speaks volumes to me. I am so emotional when I hear it. She really describes how a long distance relationship feels. All of the army wives appreciate a song that we can relate to. |
Alicia has created greatness!!!
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| Review Date: January 9, 2010 |
| Reviewer: missmahagony, New York |
| I never doubted for one minute that this would be a great album, because I realized that with the previous album, "I AM" Alicia had really matured in her music. However, I must say, that this album reaches the heights of greatness. This album is one beautiful and uplifting song after the next. Alicia sings with such passion, using the appropriate emphasis at the right times-not just screaming all over the songs for no reason. The lyrics of each song (with the exception of light songs such as "Put it in a love song" and "This Bed" are so deep and thought provoking. The aforementioned songs are nice songs, but they contrast with the rest of the album, in that they are light and fun. "Love is Blind" reminds me of "Falling" from her first album. Not in its melody. But in the way she was able to go to the "bottom" of her emotions and a woman's unconditional love for the object of her affection. "Try Sleeping with a broken heart" is a great song that is also catchy. At the beginning of the song, you can feel that this song is going to get into your soul. "Distance and Time", "How it feels to fly" and "That's how strong my love is" are GREAT balads. Unthinkable (I'm rady) is another great song. But this song is more R&B than the others. And it's beat just oozes into you. This song is so sexy. If you don't have someone who makes you feel like that, it will make you wanna find someone who does! Something that I noticed on this album, which I think differs from her previous albums, is that Alicia really focused on the instrumental aspect of her music. She really gets into the "music" and you actually hear really nicely put together melodies that sound very harmonious. This album is beyond impressive. |
On Par with the first, Better than her last Album
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| Review Date: December 17, 2009 |
| Reviewer: D. Kumar, Union, NJ |
| Alicia Key's "The Element of Freedom" is on par with her first and second albums. It is outstanding. This is the Alicia you remember from her earlier work, not the screaming Aretha Franklin Alicia, which I find nothing wrong with, but if you loved her "Butterfly" "Diary" "Fallen" "Mr. Man" voice, you will love this album. It is a preferance. She doesn't belch out hig notes as much, its just sweet and humble. Almost every song on this album has single potential. Except for the track with her and Beyonce, each track is crafted beautifully. I Love "Try Sleeping with a Broken Heart" but check out "Unthinkable" which is sleeper hit. I complete disagree with one of the reviewers who hated, "Empire State of Mind 2" because it sounds even better. Pick this album up, its worth it, best work in 6 years, I love it. |
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