Amazing Debut (Songs In A Minor - Alicia Keys)

Member Name: weezer170

Product:	Songs In A Minor - Alicia Keys
Date:	15/06/02 (143 review reads)
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Alicia Keys is quite simply amazing. She has the voice of Aretha Franklin but she's so much smaller! Songs In A Minor has sold 10 million copies worldwide (5 million in the US) and deserves all the success it recieved, critically and commercially. Alicia was the recipitent of 5 Grammys earlier on in the year and deserved, in my opinion, even more.

1. Piano & I (9/10) - This is more of an Intro to the album instead of a song. It does, however, deliver a strong and positive message to people trying to make it big in the music industry by how it took her two years to get where she is today. Very good and informative.

2. Girlfriend (10/10) - This will probably be the fourth single from the album. A very nice, up-tempo track entwined with R'n'B grooves with a brilliant guest rap by Jermaine Dupri. This is the perfect song to set the mood for the first half of the album...

3. How Come You Don't Call Me (10/10) - This is the third single from the album and is definetly one of the greatest! Alicia's vocals soar to the point of no return as she encorporates the classic beats and voice of the legend, Aretha Franklin. This is the song on the album that best shows off Alicia's vocal ability. The lyrics "I still like it better when you're holding me tight" and "tell me, baby, baby, baby, why, why you wanna go and break my heart" send shivers down your spine.

4. Fallin' (10/10) - We finally come to the worldwide No.1 hit, Fallin'. This is the song that Alicia is most famous for. It hit No.3 in the UK in October 2001. Alicia's piano skills are shown off on practically every track on the album - and this is no exception.

5. Troubles (10/10) - This is a very serious song about troubles that Alicia has experienced in the past. Telling a story, it has definetly had a positive influence on the lyrics and tone of Alicia's voice on this song.

6. Rock Wit U (10/10) - This
is the second longest track on the album. The introduction is almost two minutes long which lets you fully appreciate Alicia's instrumental ability. Is there nothing she can't do? The instruments on this track are some of the most creative and diverse on the album - very jungle and tropical.

7. A Woman's Worth (10/10) - The second single from the album which was released in March 2002. The lyrics are very informative for men and women alike on how to treat each other. It has very good beats and a great chorus.

8. Jane Doe (10/10) - This is one of the greatest tracks on the album. Featuring guest vocals by Kandi, who had a hit with Don't Think I'm Not in September 2000 it serves up catchy choruses and sassy beats.

9. Goodbye (9/10) - This is a really relaxing, tranquil ballad about how someone loves you so much they hurt you - unintentially. It also deals with the daunting task of finding the words to say goodbye when your heart doesn't have the heart to do so (a little confusing!).

10. The Life (9/10) - The piano intro on this is very catchy. The song is basically about how this day could be the last day of your life so you should make the most of it. A very well-produced, mid-tempo track.

11. Mr. Man - duet with Jimmy Cozier (10/10) - A lot of people say this song is awful and too complicated...how is it? Cozier makes a welcome guest appearance on the album, making this so fresh and original. The chorus; "Cos' I don't wanna be, I don't wanna be, I don't wanna be unfair to Mr. Man" is very catchy and laid-back.
I also welcome the Latin experiment as it is different to anything else on the album.

12. Never Felt This Way (10/10) - This is 2 minutes long, so it's more of an interlude for the next track, but what an interlude. Most interludes only last a few seconds on an album (see Janet Jackson's All For You), but a minute longer, this could be a fully-f
ledged song! Alicia clearly shows emotion in her voice and knows how to write about first experiences of love.

13. Buterflyz (10/10) - This is one of the best ballads on the album. The lyrics "I can't control the butterflyz" makes her sound a bit goofy as her voice drops but just shows you she has a wide octive-range. Yet you can't help love the drop in her voice as it sounds so refreshing.

14. Why Do I Feel So Sad (7/10) - This is a very slow song that doesn't really stand out like most of the tracks on the album. Probably the worst song out of the lot. Yet, on the other hand, I've only had the album a day so it will probably grow on me.

15. Caged Bird (8/10) - The song starts off very sweet - like a jewellery box! The lyrics are very good but it doesn't really ever get going. Again, as I said before, it'll probably grow on me.

16. Fallin' (Remix featuring Busta Rhymes & Rampage) (10/10) - This faster remix of Fallin' was not included on the original version of the album. This is not as good as the original (what is?), but guest raps by Busta Rhymes and Rampage make this song a very good listen.

17. A Woman's Worth (Remix) (10/10) - This is another great, faster remix of the hit single. The only let down about this is that it is very long at almost 11 minutes!

I haven't got round to listening to the hidden track, Lovin U but from what I've read on many reviews, it's another great track from Ms. Keys!

Overall, this is an amazing debut album from Alicia and deserves all the success in the world - it's hard to believe a second album will be better. Get the special UK edition as the remixes of Fallin' and A Woman's Worth are incredible.

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