But to my surprise--and here's the hard part--this isn't bad! It didn't make me a fan of hip-hop or modern R&B (though it made me a bit more tolerant of it). But in light of the current standards in pop music today, it is impressive. But, honestly, I can't imagine why anyone with a background in real soul and R&B would need this (sorry, but "real" means those introduced prior to the 1980s). It's nothing special, but I can see why young folks like it. It takes some of the elements that made 70s soul distinctive and sets them to an (annoying) synthesized drum beat--and therein lies the album's biggest downfall. The other thing that sinks the album is the typical "uh, uh" grunting and the unnecessary (and pretentious) "street" talk thrown in seemingly without reason other than to appeal to young listeners (who are certainly the targeted audience). Her vocal range is limited, with her high notes too strained--but this isn't an issue with me because I understand soul music, and it's not about perfection.

Another quibble is the liner notes. Again, she gets all ghetto in her thank you's ("be" is always spelled "B"). Plus, the liner notes point out more than once that "all songs written and arranged by Alicia Keys", though only 6 of the 15 tracks were credited exclusively to her as the songwriter (did it really take three people to write "Rock Wit You"???).

As for the tracks, the faux ghetto talk on the opening track is not a good start. "Rock Wit You" is a decent track, but that's only because Isaac Hayes recycled his 70s sound (e.g. "Shaft"). Like that track, "The Life" is about as 70s as you can get today, with the drum beat more in the background, which makes it more listenable. The minor chords on "Butterflyz" makes it immediately sorrowful and appealing, and is easily the best track on the album (and it seems free of drum programming and electronics, which is a huge plus). "Never Felt This Way" and "Caged Bird" are nice, with their spare piano and vocal arrangements. "Lovin U" is very Jackson-5-esque. "Fallin'" is okay, and unlike most people on here, I was fairly new to the song because I don't listen to the radio. All the other tracks are too over-produced. The album gets better as it goes along, which is unusual.

The whole album would benefit greatly from a percussionist. That alone would earn this an extra star in my book. I swear, I'll never understand the appeal of synethisized drum beats. It truly boggles my mind why it has become the norm today!

Also, I saw her perform on TV, and she certainly knows her way around the piano. This album definitely does not reflect that. She needs to get a drummer, throw out the forced street talk, and just rip it up with a band in the studio. Once she grows into herself, she might prove to be very interesting.


Too self-assured to be the real thing, so sit back down   February 26, 2002
 37 out of 60 found this review helpful

Like most people who've purchased this album, I was hooked by the singles which you can't escape ANYWHERE. She's on the television, the radio, the music channels, the talk shows, the award shows. So sure, I looked into it. Other than the two great singles of "Fallin'" and "A Woman's Worth", there is little to write home about here.

The album starts off with a half-singing, half-rapping ditty with "Moonlight Sonata" as the backup. Once I got over that, I had to get used to her foul language, which for someone who claims to sing soul music, is something normally not heard in this genre. I'd expect that from someone like Courtney Love who's just [angry], and not from someone touting themselves as seeing deeper. An intelligent mind doesn't resort to mindless expletives, and soul music is as smart and visceral as you can get--but visceral doesn't mean dirty.

Also, what I find quite bothersome is the tone of the album--way too self-assured, self-congratulatory, self-indulgent. You want to see how a TRUE debut is handled, you look back to Tori Amos' Little Earthquakes. A debut must be soul-bearing, not soul-serving. The rather indulgent album opener, and all the over-produced horn numbers are just too slick to be true, to glossy to be soul. I find little if anything on here to be sincere. I wouldn't believe a love-lorn ballad from a ten year old, and I don't believe soul music from someone so hung up on themselves. The attitude is permeated in her music; perhaps she was trying too hard to be "it" and it made the tone FALSE. I don't know. Alicia--just be YOU next time. We might actually like YOU if we get to hear YOU.

Get the singles, avoid the album. Wait for her next one, and we'll see how she sounds then. The girl lacks that genuine quality; perhaps she'll acquire some.


Soul Is Reborn! Still Her Best, & Better Than All The Rest.   January 10, 2008
 33 out of 33 found this review helpful

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.


It's good....but it was hyped way too much   December 22, 2001
 28 out of 31 found this review helpful

When I got this cd I was expecting this flawless and perfect, produced thing. Everyone was praising this cd so much for its genious and i expected the whole thing to be like "Fallin'" which it ain't. Yes Alicia Keys is a very talented young lady and her piano skills are incredible. However her lyrics are all about love and seem pretty simple and straight foward. SOme of the lyrics sound awkward and the songs kind of sound the same after a while. I could say the whole cd sounds like the song "Goodbye" or "A Woman's Worth" if I wanted to. But before you hit the THis Did Not Help Me Button, yes, she does have some highlights like "Mr Man" with Jimmy Cozier, which is my favorite. It is one of those fun songs. Both of their vocals are just awesome. "GIrlfriend" is one of the few upbeat, synthesized tracks on this album. It is alrite, kind of simple lyrics. "Never Felt This Way" is just exceptional, this should have been a whole song not just and interlude. "Caged Bird" is very heartfelt and I guess I'm biased because I also like Maya Angelou. I also love "How Come You Don't Call Me Anymore" because of the emotion she puts into it. You can feel her pain and confusion. My favorite song though is the last hidden track, "Lovin You"...very fun. Her piano playing on "Goodbye", "Troubles", and "Butterflyz" is wonderful, but the song itself is slow and can be boring after a while to be honest. If you really like "A Women's Worth", which the whole cd sounds like, then by all means get this CD. However if you just dig "Fallin" then listen to the album before you buy it and decide for yourself. This is "raw" soul and r n b, not your regular polished Destiny's Child or Brandy.