She finally doesn't annoy me ahha

She always had talent but seemed so forced and contrived. But this new album is the best thing I've heard in 2009.
[Edited 12/18/09 19:20pm]

You might be in a very small minority on that one. lol http://prince.org/msg/8/326248

ernestsewell said:

Can't be blinded by her ego. Just like Prince.

I'm on track 14 and its all good....maybe it will get annoying on #15;)
[Edited 12/18/09 19:38pm]

I love Alicia. I am hoping to get her new one for christmas, I would have bought it by now but I am unemployed at the moment. I like what I have heard. I do not understand all the hate for her around here, I have seen her in concert a couple of times and she is very talented.

Thanks for your review. The first single was a major let-down, so I have not been excited about this record. But, I think I may get it anyway. I can give it a chance.

I like it a lot too. I think it's better than her last, just without a hit like No One.

dragondayz said:

http://www.youtube.com/wa...a6lVx-oanU


this song is spectacular.

I think this is a great cd. I never really was much into the albums of Alicia, I loved a lot of her singles, but not a whole album. It sounded boring after a while...but this album is different...maybe it's because of the drums she's using, which are different this time. I even like the duet with Beyonce (although it's 'single ladies' part 2, but better)

specdude said:

how does she have an ego

alexothetimes said:

You're joking, right? Go read the thread I posted a link to. She ain't liked. Boring music, fake ghetto affect, mediocre piano skills, amateurish as an artist (ie not growing), and flat out arrogant.

ernestsewell said:

*gasps in horror*

alexothetimes said:

Head on over, for da troof, yo.

I have to agree with the O.P. I was SO surprised that I didn't fast forward any songs. THAT IS A FIRST!!!! I've never like a whole album of hers. I'm pretty tough on music, but if you are hating on this album, check to see if you're not just a hater.

I even dig the song with Ms. Keys and Beyonce. AND I HATE BEYONCE!!!

http://www.buffalonews.co...97028.html

I love that he zeroed in on my fave track "THSMLI".

this album sucks big time nothing stands out its like shr was depressed or something nothing moves me she should worked with linda perry again and let linda bring out something rock style in her

Is it me or does 'doesn't mean a thing' sound like a demo. As in Alicia isn't giving it her all when she's singing it.

mancabdriver said:

maybe she's isn't forcing like previous albums.

Really? I just listened to it and I think it's very subpar compared to her previous releases. Keys has yet to produce a real gem from start to finish. Usually they are about 3 or 4 songs that stand out and the rest of the album is filler. Songs In A Minor, The Diary of Alicia Keys, and As I Am were all overrated but they did have some extremely noteworthy tracks. But the new record sounds unfinished and her voice seems strained in a lot of the songs. 'Doesn't Mean Anything', while being a complete knock-off of 'No One' is perhaps one of the best on the CD along with 'Try Sleeping With A Broken Heart', and 'Un-Thinkable.'

The strip down version of 'Empire State' is ok but it feels like an unfinished product as well.

I like her new album a lot. I have never been a big Alicia fan in the past but that might be changing.

As usual with her, I see more potential in her than I'm hearing on record. It's ironic that a record with freedom in its title lacks the very thing it needs; freedom. It's more of the same. Bland after bland ballads and your standard mediocre mid-tempos.She's still playing it too safe or maybe that's just who she is. Maybe this is all we'll get from her. Tell Clive that that formula has run its course. Unfortunately, until she flops and cost her label stupid money, they'll continue down this redundant path of "if it ain't broke don't fix it."

On another note, Drake happened to write her a nice confessional song in "Unthinkable (I'm Ready)."

A lot of people here talk about her as being arrogant but I have never seen or heard anything that's given me that impression. What do you base this on? Is there any video?

On paper she has the makings of being something great. But on record it just is always . . . . boring!!

Her last album had a few memorable moments on there but this set was for me just x 10

Infact I found the best track on this new set was the Jay-z "empire . ." so she cant even grab all the credit for that one.

A. Keys continues to disappoint, at least she is consistent.

VenusBlingBling said:

I've never seen it or heard it myself. I'll admit her music can be a little on the snooze side, but just because she is not flashing her titties on the cover of GQ or shaking her half naked ass all across the globe, does not mean she is arrogant.

Unthinkable has a real groovy vibe to it, and that's a first for Alicica thanks to Drake.

This album doesn't bore me as much because it's a bit more melodic than her others. I've always thought her music lacked a bit of melody and she incorporates that more on this album.

In the past, when her songs were bland they were just that. With this record the majority of the songs are listenable and personal rather than bland and forced like on As I Am.

Love Is Blind
Unthinkable
Like The Sea

Are top3 for me.