Review 1 of 25

RollingStoneBlows writes:

1of 5 Stars

Absolute garbage. How is this artist allow to re-release the same albums, over and over and over again.

She is slowing the progression of humanity and is a poison to the popular music industry. Her voice is monotonous, homogeneous with thousands of American Idol performers, and nauseating.

Go away Alicia.

Apr 7, 2008 12:06:07

Review 2 of 25

HG writes:

5of 5 Stars

I have to say that for the RS reviewer to give this album 3 stars really stretches credibility.

This album is a superstar from start to finish with flawless vocals from Alicia. There are simply no average (filler) songs.

Standouts are 'Sure Looks Good To Me' with its excellent crescendo, the pounding rhythm in 'No One'

For the ladies: The tongue-in-cheek 'Superwoman', and the romantic 'Like You'll Never See Me Again'.

Buy this album now if you haven't already done so.

Mar 13, 2008 20:21:06

Review 3 of 25

macaroni writes:

4of 5 Stars

Everyone has been saying Alicia's voice is straining and
weaker than it used to be - obviously, the only song they've
heard off of As I Am is "No One". In near every other song,
Alicia Keys' voice is far greater in range, strength and general
soul than it has ever been before. Also, this latest album is far
from the same old stuff. Although there are several floaty love
songs and other standard Keys fare, songs like "Where Do We
Go From Here" (vaguely Winehouse-esque) and "I Need
You" (unexpected beat and melody) keep this album fresh.
Overall, As I Am has a much richer, more expansive sound
than previous albums - a great R&B, pop album.

Jan 15, 2008 20:55:09

Review 4 of 25

cxroxmxe writes:

5of 5 Stars

I whole heartedly disagree with RS' review. Obviously, they weren't listening to the album in relation to what's been out in R&B over the past 15 years or so!
As I Am is a wonderfully complex yet soulful album that not only displays masterful arrangements and unique arrays of vocal deliveries, but incredible diversity in regards to style and musicianship - which is not typical in the copycat world of R&B of excessive verbrato and uninteresting linear beats and melodies.
Now I'm not saying that As I Am is a completely unique notion, as it borrows bits from the last 40 years of R&B (even recent times). That may be from her penchant for music history. Furthermore, she uses these "bits" tastefully without raping history - showing that, in fact, R&B of the past lives vicariously through artists like her.
I asked myself how many R&B albums over the last 15yrs could I say were/are better than this one start to finish - evoking and touching on the spectrum of relational emotions (w/o the all too often explicit references to cheating & sex) and found it difficult to find one coming from a R&B artist of my generation.
Keys has evolved into a woman and her musicianship reflects that. This is an excellent display of what an R&B album should sound and feel like. Check it out.

Dec 30, 2007 16:06:13

Review 5 of 25

rebshay writes:

4of 5 Stars

I think Alicia Keyes' "No One" is the best out all of her other songs. I personally do not get tired of listening to it, and I kinda agree with review. Even though it's short, the writer gets his point across. Maybe next time, Alicia will make another great song, just like "No One", in which most people don't get tired of listening to like me.

Dec 11, 2007 05:13:23

Review 6 of 25

marianathebad writes:

3of 5 Stars

I gotta say i agree with RS magazine... because first of her sound really changed in bad way and second of she became overrated, i mean her song 'NO ONE' is really likable but it Bores me out when i listen couple of times... lyrics are totally not original and fresh.

Dec 8, 2007 23:44:36

Review 7 of 25

mellimel1883 writes:

3of 5 Stars

I have to say the I very much agree with this review. The production was very well done, as were the arrangements, but much of the material seemed borrowed. The two Jack Splash songs were the best because he took her out of her comfort zone, but even teenage love affair sounded like "You Don't Know My Name" Part II. Both Linda Perry Songs sounded like tracks that were cut from Christina Aguilera's Stripped album, and were all too reminiscent of just about every Carol King song written. "Like I'll Never See You Again" would have been delightful had it not been a blatant rip of Prince's "Purple Rain". I give it three stars because the sound of the album was very well done, but much like her 1st hit Fallin' (A knock off of James Brown's "It's a Man's Man's Man's World) she continues to reinterpret that past without making it unique to herself.

Dec 1, 2007 19:20:47

Review 8 of 25

micronus writes:

4of 5 Stars

It's strange that Rolling Stone completely overlooked Keys' highly developed and incredibly dynamic vocals, masterful instrument work, and genuine soulful outpour on this album. Contrary to the RS review, the omission of raw, provocative sexual imagery is in no way detrimental; it only strengthens the album. Maybe being "adult" doesn't automatically imply steamy, elicit encounters or sexual gratuity. As Keys (and her music) matures, the emphasis on love and loss, heartache and hope is greater than ever. There is no fake plastic overcoat of feigned dramtic tones, so abundant elsewhere in todays commericalized music industry. The songs are personal, genuine, and more substanial than anything else you'll find out there. Then again, the best and brightest don't always "fit in" with the crowd. Don't pass this one up.

Dec 1, 2007 07:49:40