Alicia Keys

I have had this CD for a long time, but I am just writing the review. It is SO good and you will listen to this for years and years.

This is a good cd-so good i thought to buy another one for my sister. I am unhappy about this purchase because I ordered it 2 months and have yet to receive it. I plan on contacting the seller.

As I Am is the long waited release from one of my favorite R&B stars.She shines brightly on this effort with all the right songs.I think this time her songs are more memorable and catchy,but not too commercial.Super woman Lesson Learned with John Mayer and an Teenage Love Affair ring nicely.If you are a new fan of Alicia Keyes you might want to get introduced to this one first.If your a long time fan like me I'll be playing this until its scratched and then buy it again....Its that good!

Alicia Keys - As I Am (J, 2007)

Judging by her track record, it's safe to say that if Alicia Keys released her voicemail greeting as a single, that too will go to #1 on the charts. That shows that she knows how to make a song and her albums are either great or pretty decent. This album, As I Am, is one of her best.

Ms. Cook always tried to channel the old-school through her songs but on this album it's more evident and feels less forced than on previous attempts. Songs like "I Need You" and "Teenage Love Affair" recall old Motown singles from the '60s and even the non-retro songs like "Superwoman" sound good. It's only when she tries to cross over that she falters: "No One" and "Sure Looks Good to Me" aren't Alicia at her best but "Lesson Learned" with John Mayer is surprisingly solid.

I find myself playing this album more than her other ones, even though she still has a few flaws (i.e., sometimes screaming instead of singing). But she isn't gonna change so we might as well just take her as she is. -EJR

Alicia Keys is really doing her thing. On this album she has matured and experienced alot. She's one of my three best artist that I admire in R&B. And I wish her the best of LUCK on her next album.
SEXY D, Houston,TX

Love this cd. Got it in less than a week and it was more than worth what I paid. Thanks

Being a fan of Alicia's,"As I Am" was actually the first album I bought from her. Sorry I never purchased this one ,the time it came out,but finally did.Wow,"A Classic" indeed. Just great from beg. to end.I rarely give an album 5 stars but had to for this one. Knew the songs,but just one of those things.Now that I do have it,it will always be one of my all-time faves.Karma,You Don't Know My Name,If I Ain't Got You,Diary and Dragon Days highlight this superb effort.If you are one like me,who never purchased an album of hers,but a fan,this would be "The One" to buy first."Songs In A Minor " will soon follow. You will be truly amazed!!!!

"The Diary Of Alicia Keys'" puts Beyonce, Shakira, Underwood, & all of todays female artists from every genre of music in the bargain bin. The album starts with the classical song "Harlem's Nocturne." Her Piano playing is superb, then a choir joins in aided by a fine beat. "Karma," is adriven song that uses Alicia's vocals at their best. "Heartburn," has a good drum beat as her raw vocals compare her lust for a man with the title. "If I Was your Woman/Walk On," is a jazzy version of Isaac Hayes-"Walk On by."

"You Don't Know My Name," is a 1970's finesse ballad. It is a refreshing female version of male angst, the spoken interlude in the middle fits perfectly. "If I Ain't Got You," sounds like a mix of gospel & Aretha Franklin. This may have Alicia's best vocals on this album? The brass behind Alicia's Piano added elegance. "Diary," is a fine gentle song. It sounds like it came off of her debut album. This one was my favorite of her Sophmore album.

"When You Really Love Someone," seems like a cross between "A Woman's Worth & Fallin?" I would call it the former part two. "Wake Up & So Simple" are too familiar & the latter has some annoying sounds. "Slow Down," is reminiscent of Janet Jackson's "Lets Wait Awhile." "Nobody Not Really," is lighter & has a less cloudy or dark feel as if the day was just starting. She wonders who will be interested in this her diary? Obviously, several million to date & with good reason. This is a fine album.

This is the one that started it all and i ourchased an awsome copy from here for the wifey collection Top Notch!!!!!!!!!

First of all, this album contains "You Don't Know my Name", "If I was Your Woman", "Karma", and "If I Ain't Got You". I can't think of anything except Janet's 1993 album that has so many classic tracks one after the other. One of my favorites remains the album opener (I love how Alicia always has a quiet piano intro that breaks into a big song).

However, moving past the obviously amazing singles, there is much here to drool over. 'Samsonite Man' in particular - there is something very unique about that track. When most people think of this CD, they almost always remember "If I was Your Woman" first, but I would say that I personally think of "Dragon Days" first - its a slow burner, but when it hooks you in, it really never lets go.

Alicia Keys made a better album on "Unplugged" (she has never sounded better before or after that album), but as a studio album, this will always be my favorite Keys album. There is something special about it, you can just put it on ANY time of day, let it play and do its' thing, and it will never disappoint you. Her debut album is certainly not 'timeless', but this one definitely is.

If you are at all into collecting classic R&B records, then this has to be in your collection already. If you're new to the scene, there are very few albums on Amazon with so much repeat value. Get this today!

I really enjoy listening to Alicia Keys cd. She is truly blessed to be as talented as she is. I pray many more records for her. Thank you again Amazon for meeting my request. I will always do business with you.

We never forget the first time. With a bit of nostalgia, I dare to say that "Songs in A Minor" is yet the best effort coming from Alicia Keys. In 2001, she was so young and yet so full of talent to offer us. From a girl that age, we usually don't expect such great piece of work.

Not only she is able to sing smoothly, but also plays piano greatly. In my opinion, this album is the one on which she shows more of her true talent than the others that came later. "The Diary of Alicia Keys", "Unplugged" and "As I Am" are also great records, each one shows evidences that she's polyvalent and can evolve musically, but the impression I have is that her 2001 debut effort is the real landmark: seemingly less concerned with popularity (which came from nowhere that time) and more focused on soulful tones and quality R&B.

Alica Keys' is the sexy Aquarian that won five Grammy's for this her debut album for a reason, she is that good! Take a piece of Roberta Flack, Al Green, & Stevie Wonder pour into a twenty first century Motown gal & you'll have Alicia Keys'. Rich soulful vocals, warm melodies & catchy lyrics that make this album a winner. Since she is classically trained it is clear after only one listening that her timing is perfect.

There are sixteen tracks including two remakes, "Someday We'll Be Free & Prince's How Come You Don't Call Me." These two were fine but I like her tunes far more. They range from slow, midtempo, to fast. "Fallin," is hands down the best song on the album & for me the best ballad since the Rolling Stones "Almost Here You Cry" from 1989's "Steel Wheels" album. "Fallin" should have been the number one song of 2001, not Christina Aguilera's screaming tune. "Fallin" has an Acapella intro & the violin of Miri Ben Ari that comes in with a smooth feeling. "A Womans Worth," has a satiny flow of lyrics as she tells her guy about her fine qualities & how she deserves to be treated. Then how she will reciprocate because he is worth it. "Butterflz," a fine tune with a jazzy piano & flowing lyrics. "Never Felt This Way," has classic piano sounds & lyrics describing a first love.

Other good tunes are "The Life," its catchy lyrics & an alluring melody give it a sensual 1960's soulful vibe. "Rock Wit You," is a funky song with a rich vocal delivery. "Girlfriend," has a rocking instrumental intro that was a pleasant surprise. With this album you will never have to hit the skip button. I love Alicia Keys' unique approach & the way she can immerse herself into the songs, whether they are her own or remakes. Lastly, she is the best new artist since the Police's first album came out in the late 1970's.

A throaty, passionate singer and a first rate pianist, this album was a breath of fresh air from the formulaic wasteland that contemporary R&B is becoming today. When you listen to "Fallin'" you can tell that this girl has deep respect for masters like Aretha Franklin and Chaka Khan. Alicia Keys prides herself on being a musician more than anything else, and for that she earned a Best New Artist Grammy for this album.

Alicia Keys, asside from her somewhat corny change of name, is a very giften vocalist, songwriter and pianist. She will most certainly be around the popular music scene for a long time.

This hyper-talented young lady never ceases to amaze me!!From start to finish this album is a definite masterpiece!!Alicia set the bar for my expectations from her EXTREMELY high when I first heard the touching"Goodbye"from her debut album!! "Goodbye" is one of my favorite songs of the last 15 years,PERIOD!!Because with its emotion-filled lyrics,Alicia made me(vividly)recall my very first heartbreak..Amazingly Alicia pulled this same sort of feat off again with "Teenage Love Afair"in which she caused me to feel nostalgia about my first"puppy-love" These following lyrics were instrumental in doing this:"Another secret meeting on the 5th floor staircase,I'm gonna give you this letter of all the things I can't SAY." "Cant WAIT to get home baby,dial your number.."Daydream about you all day in school,CAN'T concentrate,wanna have your voice in my ear 'til Momma come and say:"It's TOO late." "3rd Base":"Better pump the brakes and baby slow down,I gotta go HOME now!" this following line is something that I bet EVERY young couple did:"I write your name in my book,your last name,my first,I'm your"Misses"!!"Alicia perfectly mirrors the seriousness in which we held our"puppy-love"regardless of the fact that all of our elders and parents blew our 1st-time"romance"off as:"goofy,nose-wide-open fleeting kid-stuff"when she so emphatically sings:"It's a matter of EXTREEEME importance,my first teenage love affair!!" The title track starts the album off with vintage Alicia Keys(beautiful)piano-play.."Go Ahead" is a FIERY"woman-fed-up"type of track,where Alicia has finally experienced the proverbial"straw" that broke the camels' back..This following line is one I can REALLY empathize with:"Broken promises,my heart you stole,LIES you told,got the best of me,DIGGIN' in my heart-of-gold!!" And these aingst-filled lines:"I see you for who you are,know all I NEED to know,boy you DISSAPOINTED me!!" "Soon enough time REVEALS,the weight of what is REAL!!" "You point your finger,trying to JUSTIFY your mistakes,a change IS gone' be made,so you'd BEST,be on your way!!"The(barely audible)sad-sounding voice stating:"My man don't want me no more,he said he needed some time,to clear his mind." at the opening of"Where Do We Go From Here"with its' accompanying vaudevillian music is a GREAT touch!! Alicia continues with her vintage mature/adult emotional content with:"Maybe you WON'T go,maybe you'll stay,I'm gonna MISS YOU,either way!!(THINK about what she's actually SAYING on that line!!)"It's such a LONELY road!!" SuperWoman"UN-like Karyn Whites' and Joss Stones'songs of the same name has Alicia declaring that she IS a "superwoman"while encouraging/urging other women to undauntedly EMBRACE their myriad responsibilities!"Like You'll Never See Me Again"is a wonderful song with a great point and an excellent SOLUTION to any stagnant relationship.."Lesson Learned"is another great song with some really profound and thought-provoking lyrics such as:"A life perfect aint perfect,if you don't know what struggle's for,falling down aint falling down if you don't CRY when you hit the floor!"the song carries an excellent point:no experience is a total loss or complete waste of ones'time,if you LEARNED something from it. The most EXCELLENT/powerful,eye-opening line on this song(which reveals the PRIME reason why a lot of women seem to get"walked all over"by the man they love)is:"You'll give him"one more chance"JUST like the time BEFORE,but he ALREADY knows,you'd give a HUNDRED more!! This following line is VERY encouraging and displays a"TRIUMPHANT"Alicia with:"It's called the"past"cause I'm gettin'PAST and I aint NOTHING like I was BEFORE,you oughta see me NOW!!""Alicia confidently states:Yes I was"burned"but I call it a lesson LEARNED!" The songs'opening line is sang with such emotion,that the"sadness"in it is almost TANGIBLE:"He broke my heart,and now it's raining,just to RUB-IT-IN.." "No One"is a wonderful song that has Alicia declaring that nothing and No ONE will be able to interfere with the growth of this promising relationship."Reckless Love"is a thoughtful song where Alicia is longing for the BLUE-hot RAW passion that was present at the start of her current relationship,which has apparently "cooled-off.." This is a song that EVERYONE in any long-term relationship should be able to identify with!! POWERFUL lyrics include:"I want that CRAZY love,that"Off-the-wall-WON'T-stop-'til-I get ENOUGH" kinda love!!" "I want THAT love!" "I NEED that love!!" "Let's go BACK there,let's take it there!!" "I want that"I dont-really-CARE-we-can-have it-ANYWHERE" kinda love!!" "Sure Looks Good To Me"has Alicia throwing caution to the wind,electing instead to act on appearances alone.."On"Tell you something"Alicia shows that she will not risk not conveying her feelings about someone. "I Need You"is a powerful song that features Alicia(shamelessly)baring her feelings for someone."Prelude to a kiss"with its'BEAUTIFUL piano has Alicia battling with unsurety to act on simple emotion.This song has some very touching lines:"Sometimes I feel like I don't BELONG anywhere,it's gonna take so LONG,for me to get somewhere..""Imagine there was no tommorrow,I couldn't IMAGINE that I couldn't see your face,there'd be no LIMIT to my SORROW,so all I can say.." "Sometimes I feel so heavy-hearted,but I CAN'T explain,'cause I'm so GUARDED!!" "That's a LONELY road to travel,and a HEAVY load to bear,and it's a LONG,LONG road to"heaven",but I gotta get there!!" "Can you send me an angel to GUIDE me?!?" "Tell You Something"features Alicia musing on the penalty of NOT conveying how you care for someone. Alicia is a MASTER at summing a point up,with:"Cause it will all mean NOTHING,if I don't say SOMETHING,before it all goes AWAY!!"and the emphatic:"Won't wait'til it's TOO LATE!!" This is an excellent well-written intelligent/thoughtful album!! Don't DARE hesitate in buying this gem!This album SINGLE-HANDEDLY redeems the music industry for every immature,shallow"low-brow"meaning-free"teeny bopper"album that it has put out over the last FIFTEEN years!!Alicia should be PROUD of herself!! And YOU should make it a PRIORITY to get yourself a copy of this MASTERPIECE!!

I been a huge fan of alicia keys every since her first album. This whole album is just wow there is not one song on this album that is horrible or anything. Her voice is extremely powerful throughout this and its just a 5 star gotta get it! Songs that shouldnt be missed are teenage love affair, like you'll never see me again, lesson learned and the thing about love

I got this CD because I like "No One", and much to my delight, the whole disc is enjoyable. A little pop, a little soul, and a little hip-hop.

i love this cd. when i first heard it online, i said...i dont know, but i bought it and i cant get enough of it. I mean, the cd is different from what we are listening to today on the radio. It is real. My fave songs are thing about love, superwoman, like youll never see me again, and wreckless love. I would recommend this cd to anyone. No matter what type of music you listen to already, get it, you will gain something from it either way.

I must say when I first listened to this I did not like it at all! After listening to it a few times I fell in love with this cd. I haven't taken it out of my car since I bought it! Her sound on this album is very different than previous ones, she shows so much emotion on this album and you can tell she's definitely in love. My favorite tracks are "Like You'll Never See Me Again", "Lesson Learned", "Wreckless Love" and "I Need You" (all the songs are great though). You have to buy this album!!! I have been a fan from day one and will continue to be.

Alicia Keys is one of those performers that comes off wonderfully on a CD as well as playing live. Her voice does not need to be altered for recording purposes. I have seen her in concert and she is a perfectionist. For anyone who has not had the pleasure of experiencing her in person this is as close as it gets. She is exceptional!

Alicia's album is a fine gem, here the slightly scaled back sound allows her vocals to shine. She occasionally goes from the Piano to Organ with equal dexterity. "Fallin," gets a semi-operatic treatment here. Her voice sounds more balanced than on her first album.

She gives a more seductive tone to "Diary & If I Ain't Got You." The former is one of my all time favorites. In "Streets Of New York," the first part with her recitation is ok, but the second part with it's jazzy tones blend well with her more controlled voice. "Stolen Moments," could have been a bit better since it was co-written by the king of R&B, Al Green. She belts out Prince's "How Come You Don't Call Me Anymore" with a near furious vocal. Some will not like her version of Gladys Knight's "If I Was Your Woman?" But, for me it was almost equal to the original. Then again, Alicia could sing the names in the phonebook & I would applaud. I feel she truly shined with Brenda Holloway's "Every Little bit Hurts." She seemed very in tune with the feel of this song as the emotion came through.

Her duet with Adam Levine doing the Rolling Stones' "Wild Horses" was ok. His nasal tone did not blend that well with Alicia's voice. When she sings "You Don't Know My Name," it is juiced up a bit with the organ. This may be my all time favorite of her songs? When I minus the Hip Hop tunes which just don't appeal much to me, "Unplugged" ends up being very good. Her vocals are more mature & the reduced arrangements play to the bands talents. A solid 4.5.

This is my FIRST CD from her that I actually listened too. She great to look at, but shes a artsit that I was only into a few of her songs. BUT DAMMNNN, how much difference does a live band make though. I listened to this CD back to back to back. She actually sounds better and her band was on fire. I got a new apprieciation for her after listening to this cd. This is by far the best Live CD I heard (and thats including Mary J Blige in that last).

Alicia Keys hit the scene at a time when mindless crap seemed to be taking over (and that honestly only worsened over the last few years), and people were just thirsty for a voice that was untampered with, someone who could sing at least a little bit and actual instruments were being played on the songs. At least that's why I first appreciated Ms. Keys. But her over-hyped talent didn't make this album worth the money. The copy-right protection was unecessary and annoying as well. Double reasons not to buy this CD. Several of the songs that are popular were only a part of a medley, it seemed. I did however, enjoy four songs on the album.

If I Was Your Woman - every song that I actually enjoy on a high scale by Alicia, I later discover is a cover of somebody else's song. This live version is way better than the album version from DOAK, though that version was good too.
Every Little Bit Hurts - something else she didn't write. I loved hearing this though. Her voice is perfect for this song. She just flowed natural with this selection.
Wild Horses - I've never known what this song was talking about. However, this is the first version that I've taken notice of. I never knew this song all the way though until this version came along. And believe me, there are MANY covers of this song out there.
Unbreakable - Everyone hated it, but I thought this song was okay. The lyrics are a trip and the breakdown is interesting for a change. And yes, this song is also sampled.

I bought this CD because I have her first two albums (actually I bootlegged the second one because her appeal was dying for me). The ridiculous hype around Alicia has nearly killed my interest in her as an artist. At the peak of her career, I preferred to look at her opposed to actually listening to her music. I find her to be a great person, but the music could be so much better. And to think I was so excited and happy for a black girl rocking the piano and getting attention from the world. Too bad Alicia just isn't the Messiah of black female singer-songwriter/musicians. Ms. Hill, Badu, Scott and Arie are. But you don't hear much about them though, do you? And even that's not good enough because all of those artists are grouped as neo-soul. Will an artist of color ever rock out, sing country or even yodel? Damn, somebody needs to prove that we can step outside of the box. But at least other black female artists aren't afraid to appeal to only one or two fanbases - Alicia wants to appeal to everyone and everything. Only a great artist/entertainer has the ability to do something like that with efficiency, and like I've said, Alicia is just "a'ight". Without that piano she would be EXTREMELY common. If an artist/entertainer doesn't affect you with their lyrics, voice, etc, then they should be able to at least entertain you with some dance moves or something. Alicia seems caught in the middle with just mediocre songs for the most part, and a voice that she tends to strain.

This should be purchased if you have been an Alicia fan from the get-go. She is not the best, but she is brilliant compared to others.

Although I've already seen Alicia Keys at an unforgettable 2004 music concert, I decided to buy her third album, "Alicia Keys: Unplugged", simply because I'm a big fan of hers. Hell, just to hear her vibrantly soulful vocals further enliven R&B/Soul classics like "Fallin'", "You Don't Know My Name" & "If I Ain't Got You" was well worth the money I forked out to purchase this album. "Alicia Keys: Unplugged", which temporarily revives MTV's long-gone "Unplugged" series, further testifies to Alicia Keys' immense talent as a singer, songwriter and musician. Unfortunately, this album does not live up to the greatness of its two predecessors ("Songs In A Minor" - 2001, "The Diary Of Alicia Keys" - 2004).

That doesn't necessarily mean that this album is terrible because it's anything but. Alicia Keys consistently sounds as soulful, powerful, emotional and captivating as she's always been -especially on "Fallin'", "If I Ain't Got You" & "A Woman's Worth"- but I was hoping that she'd apply some more creativity and/or effort into the musical and/or instrumental arrangements. Apart from the "the stripped-down "You Don't Know My Name" and the insightful soul ballad "Diary", which chucks in a laid-back flute, the songs hardly sound any different from their original forms. I guess she preferred to stick to the "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" theory this time `round.

Another thing that I disliked about this album was its lack of new material. Yes, lead single "Unbreakable" is a beautiful R&B/Soul tune, but with all the name-dropping going on in the lyrics, I find it hard to find out what she's really talking about. The only other solid new tune on this 16-track-long disc is "Stolen Moments", another beautiful R&B/Soul ballad where Alicia Keys ponders on the beginnings of her loving relationship and grandly urges to her lover "lets get away" over a beautiful assortment of horns, flute and percussion. Apart from hits and songs from her past, as well as a guest-festive celebration with Common, Mos Def, Damian Marley & others on the album-closing tracks "Love It Leave It Alone" & Damian Marley's "Welcome To Jamrock", the rest of the songs consist of covers (Branda Holloway's piano-driven "Every Little Bit Hurts" & "Prince's "You Don't Know My Name"). However, there's no denying the sheer sublimeness and brilliance of her piano-driven duet with Maroon 5's Adam Levine on their cover of the Rolling Stone's "Wild Horses", which beautifully converts a Rock song into a spiritually exploratory R&B/Soul classic. Ditto in terms of brilliance for "Streets If New York (City Life)", a stunning piece of deeply thought-provoking poetry over a beautifully arranged melange of moody instrumentals.

The final problem I had with this album was with her lacklustre performances of "Heartburn" & "Karma". It's a shame that she started off a great show on the wrong foot by turning two beautiful songs into vocal trainwrecks, especially after beautifully opening the show with "Alicia's Prayer (Acapella Intro)".

Nonetheless, this is a great CD and is well worth the purchase, despite its flaws. It's solid proof of Alicia Keys' raw talent to the haters and misinformed individuals who believe otherwise. 4 stars!

The Texas Western victory over Kentucky has got to be THE single most important game ever played in collegiate athletics. Only fitting that the soundtrack calls up the same emotion when you listen to it as watching the film surely does. Great songs, great artists, and great original scores. If you liked the movie, you gotta have this disc. GO MINERS!!!!!

If you liked the movie, then you'll enjoy spinning the tunes from those days again. The music gave thid flick some flair and Alicia Keys does some great stuff to update some great old tunes.

A few good songs but not many. Very dissapointed. Not enough scores from the movie.

I bought this CD right after I saw Glory Road today. My favorite track is People Get Ready by Alicia Keys. This is a great song about how if we have faith in God anything is possible. I loved her soulful delivery on this song very much. The title track Glory Road is very uplifting. I love the choir singing on this track. I also enjoyed the track entitled I Will Make The Darkness Light. This is such a moving song about fighting for what you believe in. Alicia sounds so sexy on this song. There are also some classic R and B songs like Twist and Shout, Uptight, and Dancing In The Street. These are delighful songs to listen and move to. There is a song by Otis Redding entitled I've Been Loving You Too Long To Stop Now. This is a heartfelt sincere love song, and it is one of my favorites. This is a wonderful soundtrack.

Too often it seems as if a soundtrack is a "stand alone" product to the movie. In the case of Glory Road, the soundtrack and movie brilliantly weaves the story of the Texas Western basketball team and the society it faced at home and on the road. Glory Road is by far the best sports movie produced for the big screen. The soundtrack should be a part of anyone's collection who not only has an appreciation of R&B, but who also wants to place the music chronicled in a historical context.

Alica is so talented. I love her voice. Its so powerful and soulful. The problem with other very talented artists is that they dont have very good material (ie- chritina agulara). not the case with alica. i did not like her first cd. it was a little more typical R&B. but this time around i can really see that she has grown up. This cd has so many solid songs in it that it is totally worth the price. the dvd is a little boring and not needed. its just her going to hotels and in her car and stuff. thats not why i gave it 5 stars. all 5 stars are for alica and her great music. i just hope her next cd is just as good.

The version thatI have seems to be different than the other reviewers, I have one that has the subtitle of "A Documentary Film" with this diffences noted, I found this to be one of the worse DVD's I have ever purchased!

This product might have been great for the under 30 group but for this older viewer it was a complete let down. I was expecting to hear music and to see her perform. I was not interest in her stay in an expensive middle eastern hotel, and junkets through the street of this city.

I wanted to watch her sing, even with her excellent talent she is still to young to have such a product released purporting to be her life! I would have rated this zero stars if this had been a choice. This DVD should have been like the CD and I would have been a much happier follower of her music

I have just purchased her most recent DVD. I can only hope that this one is only music and performance, instead of talking and walking around a location?

I am really shocked to see the negative reviews.. Im not gonna call ya'll "haters" as was predicted in your reviews, but how can u deny the greatness of this album???

Firstoff, someone said that "Dragon days" is filler, and i just gotta say NO - that is a great song!! I can't comprehend how someone could just throw that song out and classify it as bad, thats jus ridiculous... and her remake of "if i were your woman" was, i think, a great idea. Obviously there is no way to match the greatness of the original so why not put a good beat to it and make it hip-hop??? i loved it...

then there's those sayin that "when you really love someone" is the same as "fallin" but that is Also inaccurate. What they do have in common is that piano lick in it, but if you go back in history to all the songs of the past, you will find that in COUNTLESS songs!!! The two songs are entirely different if you take the time to listen...

In any case, i find it hard to see how anyone could bash this album, but thats just my opinion...

This is one of the first CDs I ever bought and it is one of the best in my collection. The songs on here are so well crafted and put together that it makes Alicia seem like she has been doing this for over 10 years. She is so different from most of the divas out there who shake their butt, like Beyonce, Ashanti and Ciara, and I have to say, she is probably the best arrival so far in this millennium. Nearly ever song on this album deserves a 5 star, and I hope she keeps coming up with good music in her years to come. The DVD is very interesting because it talks about her journey through life and how she became an artist and who helped her and influenced her along the way. It also shows her on tour and the places she went to and how that had a part in the development of this album. This album was the reason I bought Songs in A Minor, which is also another excellent piece of work, and I know she will win many Grammy Awards this year. I highly recommend this album to all Alicia fans.

I'm sorry, but I couldn't help that pun there, even though it was weak.

I know you are going to look at my album review and be like "he's a hater". Trust me, I love Alicia as much as the next person, but come on! We waited so long just for this?

I'm NOT saying the album is bad, it's just that her lyrical skills seemed to have faltered a bit since her classic debut album. Sometimes the lyrics are a bit juvenile, whereas other times there actually are some decent lyrics. Musically, I can see some attempt at growth, but more or less it seems as if people tried to capitalize off the first album. Case in point: Even though so many others have said it before, it's quite true...."Wake Up" and "When You Really Love Someone" sounds too much like "Fallin'" to really be interesting enough to like. I mean, I was like, no.

Nevertheless, there are some decent songs on here that actually work. "Karma" takes a while to get used to, and the video for the song doesn't help, but the lyrics are great, IMO. One of life's old adages is put to good use in a song and doesn't sound too cliche'. "You Don't Know My Name" is pretty good, with its nice old school feel and catchiness. Alicia sounds good even if this song was seriously overplayed! "If I Ain't Got You" is probably the best song on the album, and Alicia shows off those pipes that we have all come to love. It's the perfect segue into "Diary", which has the perfect piano arrangement and flows efforltessly throughout. Whoever that is singing with Alicia complements her voice toward the end. "When You Really Love Someone", "Fallin'" sample notwithstanding, actually sounds good and is kinda catchy. And both the interludes work well. "Feeling U, Feeling Me" is a nice interlude that sounds good, but "Nobody Not Really" has the perfect mix of vocals and tight lyrics. It really should have been a full song because it sounds so good. I know this might sound sad, but that song is my favorite on the album.

Now let's get to the bad....sometimes it's good to use some old-school flavor on your album (Beyonce' actually did it well on her album), but when you use it too much, it gets unlistenable. "If I Was Your Woman/Walk On By" is just downright wrong from the jump. When I initially saw that on the tracklisting, I thought Alicia was going to remake it with the soul....instead, we get a overproduced hip-hoppy song....you can't take a sould classic and make it a hip-hop joint that actually is good. Come on Alicia! "Dragon Days" is just not a song that I expected Alicia to have on here, it's definitely filler. "Samsonite Man" would have been better had a male artist played the Samsonite Man and sang a verse.

Of course, the album is not a total waste and possibly can be listened to throughout as background music while you are reading. But if you are looking for something to really listen to, this isn't quite it. You may have to skip a few songs, but it's still decent.