Alicia Keys - Songs in A Minor
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Free Music Notes for Songs in A Minor
Free Music Review: Songs in A Minor...3.5 Stars
Hit: 3 Stars
I purchased this CD after getting The Diary... and Unplugged. It is true that her sophomore album outdoes 'Songs' in a lot of ways. There is nothing unusual about his album, true that it is hyped, but the only reason that it stands out is because of the other albums today. If this album was released within the 70's, this would be a flop,not because it is not good, but the use of musical elements are TOO basic. But try to release it in a world of musical nothingness and craps, then it suddenly is so awesome. I also don't like the way the booklet was packaged, it says there in different pages (and in big letters): "All songs written and arranged by alicia keys *except when noted*". I peered through the credits for each song and only 6 songs were written by her alone, the others are products of help from Taneisha Smith, Kerry Brothers, etc. And also, there are only about 3 or 4 songs arranged by Alicia alone.
I also don't like the way she did not credit Beethoven for using his Moonlight Sonata: Adagio Sostenuto in the intro, Piano & I. Yes folks, the whole song was made up of Beethoven's work, well, except for the lyrics. I don't like to think that ALicia is a fake, I also don't like to think she's original.
Another thing is, the piano playing is so lame, I used a software in my computer to lower the voices to hear the piano better. Boy, color me disappointed, it is true that the notes from each songs are different, but the riffs are the same, always one note accompaniment from the left, then 3 note melodies at the right, just played fast. This riff is more evident at If I Ain't got U (though I love the song), try to listen at the intro and you will hear the same riff I told you. Vanessa Carlton plays better for she can use riffs with notes 1 octaves apart and riffs with notes too close to each other.
Some of you may also notice that her lyrics are stupid, come on, I'm not going to mention any songs, but you can hear it.
Still, I don't regret putting this CD in my list "Music that the likes of 50 cent must bow down to". This CD made up a great album without the nipple and rectum-shaking beats. True, Beyonce sings better, but compared to what Alicia does, the second is better.
Free Music Review: Butterflies
Hit: 5 Stars
I won't even waste my time explaining why this is an exceptional album. All you had to do was watch the grammies, videos and listen to the radio.
This is a classic album, hands down no more to say, get the album.
Free Music Review: Songs in A Minor - actually 4.5 stars
Hit: 4 Stars
I've had this cd since the day it was released - I got excited about Alicia Keys' music after seeing her on Oprah's show. Her music came along at a time when the hub bub of Erykah, Jill, D'Angelo and Maxwell was waning as she, India.Aire, Musiq & Tweet were on the come up. This was the first time I got caught up enough in the "hype" of a new artist to run out and get their disc on release day and honestly I admit that listening to it today I am as impressed as I was upon the first listen.
Having learned more about Alicia's situation with her first label, I appreciate the autobiographical songs that she wrote during that difficult time: PIANO & I (although the profanity was a little overdone), TROUBLES (one of my favorite tracks) & CAGED BIRD.
Overally this is a very good debut disc from an artist I see growth in with each new offering of music. I deducted a half star from the rating because of the one song I don't like, MR. MAN - although I love the musical arrangement, I just never got into this song.
Others that do stand out to me are: GIRLFRIEND -catchy beats make me want to dance every time I hear it; FALLIN -now seen as a brilliant lead single because it was so different than anything else being played at the time; GOODBYE - beautiful love song; THE LIFE - sounds very Marvin Gaye-esque; NEVER FELT THIS WAY & BUTTERFLYZ - both have very spare production other than the piano and her voice which sounds especially great on both tracks; LOVIN' YOU - reminds me of old school Aretha & ROCK WITH YOU - love the fact that she collabo'd with Isaac Hayes on this one, the musical arrangement is just beautiful and so reminiscent of that time in music when Isaac & Barry White's orchestrative singles were on the charts.
I like Alicia as an artist because she is influenced by music of a certain era and tries to incorporate that sensability in her music without totally copying others' work. This is a very good debut that still sounds good to me after 5 years.
Free Music Review: A solid debut
Hit: 5 Stars
This CD is a solid debut and there are a few songs that I do like, but to be honest I feel a little cheated because I suspect that Alicia is holding back. I don't know how else to explain it. There are good songs but they are just shy of being 'great' songs. Don't get me wrong, it's a good CD and worth purchasing, but as Alicia evolves as an artist, I believe she WILL knock my socks off. Just not yet.Free Music Review: Talented artist , fine debut CD
Hit: 4 Stars
I bought this 2001 album by American singer-songwriter-pianist Alicia Keys last year on sale at my local CD store based upon a couple of good reviews and the knowledge that this talented artist had scored some Grammy nominations for this debut CD.
I was immediately impressed with this CD, and it became one of my favourite CD's of 2005. The most famous song is the ballad Fallin'(beloved of female TV pop Idol contestants everywhere), which is pretty good, and How Come U Don't Call Me is also a catchy slow groove written by Prince. My personal favourite was the excellent retro rhythm of Rock Wit You ( I really liked the smooth, 70's-sounding production on this ) and I also loved Alicia's vocals on the delightful tune Butterflyz. Also really good were The Life, Troubles, and the single A Woman's Worth, in which she does a classic R&B style vocal. This lady has everything going for her - she is young, attractive, good at singing and songwriting, she plays piano ( my favourite musical instrument), and the music industry (and the Grammy voters) are right in her corner!
What more could you want?!
I'm going to give Songs In A Minor 4.5 stars. Also , check out her 2004 CD Diary Of Alicia Keys, which is also pretty good, if not quite as interesting as her debut. I hope she has a long and successful career.