Customer Reviews

The Element of Freedom

5 star:		(77)
4 star:		(45)
3 star:		(20)
2 star:		(14)
1 star:		(11)

 

 

I was a bit apprehensive with the new album when I heard and saw the video for the first single "Doesn't Mean Anything". It just seemed like it went on and on, and it got boring afterwhile. Then my interest was peaked a bit when the second single "Try Sleeping With A Broken Heart" was released; I didn't care for the video all too much but it was different than her other singles. So when the day came that it finally came out, I figure why not get it (or someone get it for me).
Alicia Keys has never let me down with previous albums, despite the inconsistencies on each album. I put the album in and I haven't stop playing it since.
For starters, she actually put an intro, and it makes sense and its pretty deep given its short.
Then it continues into "Love Is blind" which I really really love because it's not her usual sound and register, I almost thought it was somebody else. The lyrics are 'take 'em or leave 'em' but the music and the production is so addictive, you're jamming anyway.
By the time "Doesn't Mean Anything" came around, it made sense where it was and it was less obnoxious after hearing "Love Is Blind".
Although, I cringe when artists put all there singles in chronological order on the album, it didn't bother me much when the song was followed by the 2nd single "Try Sleeping With A Broken Heart".
There are slight weak moments: "Wait Til You See Smile" is one of those light, fluffy records on the album that teeter between fluff and filler. But I will give Alicia credit for putting those light, airy songs between heavy hitting moments on the album.
My two all-time favorites on the album, three if you include "Try Sleeping With A Broken Heart", are That's How Strong My Love Is" & "Un-thinkable (I'm Ready)".
The lyrics of "That's How Strong My Love Is" are reminscient of the flow of "If I Ain't Got You" & "This Woman's Worth". Her phrasing in the song gives me chills and the haunting chords in the background just knock me out. The chorus is one of her strongest choruses and is a testament of how deep she is as an artist.
I really love "Un-thinkable (I'm Ready)" because it has a nice groove but it also makes you think of those intimate occasions with a special someone. That also gives me chills.
"Love Is My Disease" reminds me of the song featuring John Mayer from her last album, her voice is a bit hoarse which works for the urgency of the song. This girl shows vulnerability like no other female artist, outside of Beyonce.
"Like the Sea" is another light song but its more about her piano skills than it is about the material. so that's about a 3/5
"Put It In A Love Song", O.M.G. I was a little curious how it was going to work with Beyonce & Alicia. Both are strong women but their styles are different but very much high grade. I could've did without the simple beat but they both brought their A-game to this song.
"This Bed" another light song but the beat is a bit addictive
I guess Alicia had to add some more depth and eclectism to her album, "Distance & Time" and "How It Feels To Fly" are what that's for.
"Empire State Of Mind (Part II)" is almost a better version than the original. She kept the chorus, which made sense, but she added her own words. I love it...

all and all, this is one of her more impressive and fun records and it sounded like she was more free on this record...

Alicia Key's "The Element of Freedom" is on par with her first and second albums. It is outstanding. This is the Alicia you remember from her earlier work, not the screaming Aretha Franklin Alicia, which I find nothing wrong with, but if you loved her "Butterfly" "Diary" "Fallen" "Mr. Man" voice, you will love this album. It is a preferance. She doesn't belch out hig notes as much, its just sweet and humble. Almost every song on this album has single potential. Except for the track with her and Beyonce, each track is crafted beautifully. I Love "Try Sleeping with a Broken Heart" but check out "Unthinkable" which is sleeper hit. I complete disagree with one of the reviewers who hated, "Empire State of Mind 2" because it sounds even better. Pick this album up, its worth it, best work in 6 years, I love it.

On studio album #4, Alicia Keys stretches herself even more, vocally and musically. She uses that higher/strained-sounding register she introduced on her last album (especially on a song like "No one"), as well as huskier, Rockier sounding tones. Lyrically, there seems to be a theme of pain and longing caused by love.

The result is a rather eclectic sounding album, very pleasing to the ears. She sounds virtually unrecognisable on the opening Rock-tinged ballad "Love is blind" (with awesome harmonies and an impassioned fiery delivery from Keys), my absolute favourite song. The single "Doesn't mean anything" reminds one of the afore mentioned "No one" (same thumping beats and feel), while "Try sleeping with a broken heart" is simply beautiful with feathery vocals offset by thundering beats, and a nice piano coda.

Everything stands out really; "Wait til you see my smile" (with marching beats and soulful harmonies), the beautiful piano ballad "That's how strong my love is" (reminds me of "Tender love" by Force MDs), the melancholic soul of "Un-thinkable (I'm ready)", the Reggae-tinged "Love is my disease", the cascading piano-sprinkled "Like the sea" (with a classical overture, and interesting synth flourishes), the sunny sounding "This bed" (on which she pines for her lover), the soulful ballad "Distance and time", and the Retro Soul of "How it feels to fly".

Closing is a drastic makeover of her hit with Jay-Z, "Empire state of mind (Part II) Broken down", a very soulful Jazzy piano ballad with just Keys vocals. The lone song I don't quite get is the contemporary R&B dance song "Put It In A Love Song" featuring Beyoncé, and which can best be described as "Single ladies part II". Same skeletal sound, chants and drum rolls, and even similar lyrical theme: "Say you love me, then put it in a love song". I didn't like it at first, but it does grow on you and if you're one of those that loved "Single ladies" (I wasn't), you'll love this.

I think this album will catch fans of her Soul sound a bit off guard as it is more experimental, but it's an album that richly rewards. Definitely one of her best efforts!

For me its hard to pick a favorite Alicia Keys album. Not because each album is great but because all of them are different. "Songs In A Minor" was an introduction to who she is. "Diary of Alicia Keys" gave us more of her personal side. "As I Am" was a statement album. With her latest "The Element of Freedom", Ms. Keys continues her climb to superstardom.

The joy of this album occurs in the first 6 songs. Alicia Keys opens with "Love Is Blind" which has a very seductive beat. She follows that up with her first single "Dosent Mean Anything"."Try Sleeping With A Broken Heart" is a good mid-tempo track. This is followed by two ballads "Wait Til' You See My Smile" & "That's How Strong My Love Is". After that the album loses some of its flavor with "Un-Thinkable, Love Is My Disease & Like The Sea". It drops even lower by time you get to "This Bed". And it hits rock bottom by the time you get to the highly anticipated Beyonce duet,"Put It In A Love Song". Even through all the ups and downs, the saving grace of this album is "Empire State Of Mind (Part II)". With just her and a piano for most of the song, she took one hot hook and made it a whole song.

Alicia Keys is a major player in the R & B game. She went from being that piano playing, light-skinned girl with the braids to one of the most successful artist of this generation. She brings something new everytime she drops an album. Her talent is so different from Beyonce & Keyshia Cole. This dosent make her better than them just on another playing field. And now "Element of Freedom" is Alicia's most musical album to date. She experiments with so many different sounds we are not use to hearing. Her voice is as powerful as ever, choosing to rely more on vocals than instruments to carry the album. This is not a perfect album, but it is another good listen by a person who was born to make music.

First off let me say that I really respect and appreciate Alicia Keys as an artist and I have been a true fan from the beginning. I love that all her albums reflect real life and touch your inner most emotions with such a soulful voice. The album Element of Freedom is no different. Her 1st non musical Intro is so short but yet so powerful! Some tracks have a different sound, like "Love is Blind" and "This Bed" and it's obvious that she is evolving as a woman and an artist. My favorites are "Put it in a Love Song", "Un-thinkable(I'm Ready)", "Try Sleeping with a Broken Heart", "Empire State of Mind II", "Wait Til You See My Smile", "Like the Sea", "Distance and Time", "How it Feels to Fly"...Ok, wow let me stop cuz that's most of the album! Anyway, I do love this album and haven't put it down yet. And no, it's not my favorite album from her (cuz that would be "Diary"), but I still love it anyway cuz it's Alicia Keys expressing her personal trials and tribulations while growing into her own skin. Not everyone can express their life's ups and downs through songs, but Alicia always sings straight from the heart and you can't help but to respect that.

I bought this album first thing this morning and on the first listen i honestly told myself,"I can see myself really getting into this album--still not quite as good as as i am but thats okay"(who really outdoes themselves back to back on every album, i think it's always a lot of hit and miss and because you really like the artist you take the good with the not so good)

Note:What i don't understand is why other reviewers have to form some kind of an opinion about other peoples reviews--everybodys entitled to their own opinion its not that serious.

Now to the album--I,as a fluent music listener and alicia keys fan,appreciate when an artist changes it up every album,i also believe its not fair to compare albums unless the album is just really gagrbage---and this album is NOT garbage--trust me.This album is just a distinct change from alicia's normal style(which every album has been--go listen before you speak)and i appreciate it.Just give it a chance--i think if you are a true alicia keys fan, and not just someone who calls themselves a fan because she's popular and you thought it was the cool thing to buy her previous albums,you'll really enjoy this album.It may not hit you as soon as As I Am probably did but youll still enjoy it very much.GREAT LYRICS,GREAT TRACKS,GREAT TOPICS,GREAT VOICE.

HIGHLIGHTS:
Love is Blind
Thats How Strong my Love is
Love is my Disease
Like the Sea
Distance and Time
How it Feels to Fly

others are still really good..

THANKS ALICIA

Alicia Keys is a music artist I've followed since her debut and thus far she has not disappointed me. With her previous release, AS I AM, Alicia dabbled in a kind of throwback '70s pop/soul sound that worked on some tracks and didn't on others. Overall I thought it was a great concept album and enjoyed the music.

For this album I'd hoped that she would have a greater balance between soulful tunes vs pop tunes but this collection is an ecclectic mix of tracks that stray even farther away from the soul songstress we were introduced to with her debut SIAM. It's not a bad thing because as a fan of music I love to see someone grow with each album and try different sounds especially when that artist has such a strong sense of direction and musicality as Alicia.

I got my copy last night and after only 1 listen immediately fell in love with 7 songs:

UNTHINKABLE (I'M READY) - this is a slow grinder featuring Drake on background vocals. I love the beats & she sounds incredible;

THIS BED - another homage to the inimitable Prince. This is a very catchy midtempo track reminiscent of an '80s Prince track;

THAT'S HOW STRONG MY LOVE IS - melodically pretty track with gorgeous lyrics;

HOW IT FEELS TO FLY - another melodically pretty track featuring a choir during the ending chorus;

EMPIRE STATE OF MIND - PT II (BROKEN DOWN) - really nice stripped down version of her hit duet with Jay-Z; the last two are the bonus tracks:

LOVER MAN - a grinder/sexy track & WE'RE ALMOST THERE - production reminds me of an old school Jackson 5 mashed with Marvin Gaye track, vocally she sounds great on this one.

Of course I've already heard and really enjoy both of her single releases:
TRY SLEEPING WITH A BROKEN HEART - which is a track that I imagine could've been on AS I AM, it has that same 70s pop feel that that whole album had & DOESN'T MEAN ANYTHING - another heartfelt ballad that escapes being cheesy because of her soulful performance.

Growers - songs that didn't initially resonate with me but I find interesting are: LOVE IS BLIND - the vocals sound nothing like AKeys which threw me the first few times I listened to this track but the more I listen to it, the more I began to appreciate her taking a risk on a different type of sound; WAIT TILL YOU SEE MY SMILE - same comment as for LIB; LOVE IS MY DISEASE - subtle reggae beat along with her straining sounding vocals during the chorus add to the urgency of the song & it's lyrics - not totally unpleasant to hear but it's taking a while to grow on me; PUT IT IN A LOVE SONG - the hyped duet with Beyonce..it's a catchy track that I'm sure will get massive play and eventually a video. It's a different sound for AKeys and definitely sounds more like a typical Beyonce track.

I strongly dislike: LIKE THE SEA - innane lyrics and strange musical production, could not get into this track at all & DISTANCE & TIME - very blah track, no soul or urgency. it has a pretty melody and lyrics but BLAH! I didn't connect to this track at all.

Overall I'm enjoying listening to this set and think it's on par with AS I AM in terms of the sound and where Alicia seems to be going musically. I don't think it's a step back but it's not a set that exceeds what she has done in the past on her last albums either. As a fan, I am very happy with the 7 songs I mentioned above as those that I loved instantly and find the growers interesting enough NOT to skip as I listen.

I'd highly recommend this disc to fans because if you like her music there is enough diversity between the tracks that I'm sure you'll enjoy more than a few tracks and suggest that non-fans sample tracks to see which tracks they like first.

The Element of Freedom CD is Key's foray into the pop, electronic sound. Most of the songs on this CD have strong pop influences with airy 80's instrumentation and electronic, digital moods.

Maybe Alicia needed the "freedom" to delve into any musical genre she wants without people boxing her into one particular sound. Well, she jumped into the pop sound full force with her latest effort.

Alicia began her career in 2001 as a fresh, new, young, innovative soul, r&b based musician and vocalist. Her first CD - "Songs in A minor" - my personal favorite - sold over 12 million copies and won her 5 Grammy's. Her second CD - "Diary of Alicia Keys" sold over 8 million and garnered 4 Grammy's. Both CD's were soulful, r&b successes.

Her third CD "As I Am" gave us a hint of where she was going with her music - a more adult contemporary, pop sound mixed with her trademark soul and r&b. It turned out to be very successful with over 6 million copies sold and winning 3 Grammy's.

"The Element of Freedom" gives us more adult contemporary, pop with a structure of soul and r&b.
Her opening song, "Love is blind" is a Rihanna type song that is very good but doesn't seem like a song Alicia would sing. I like the East Indian influence in the music and background vocals.

"Doesn't mean anything" is a very good pop song with a sound that reminds me of her hit "No one".

"Try sleeping with a broken heart" is another very good pop song with a 80's electronic, digital sound to it.

"Wait to you see my smile" is a sweet, uplifting, pop song that will make you smile.

"That's how strong my love is" is a very good ballad that sounds like the 80's tune, "Tender love" by the Force MD's.

"Unthinkable (I'm ready)" reminds me of her song "Slow down". Maybe it's the grownup version of "Slow down" . . . "she's ready".

"Love is my disease" is one of the best songs on this CD. It has an 80's soft rock feel with a reggae backdrop. Alicia's vocals are very soulful and wanting.

"Like the sea" a nice r&b flavored tune. I love Alicia's vocals and the arrangement.

"Put it in a love song" duet with Beyonce is a dance hit if released. Technically, it is an average song with big tribal beats and vocal clichés like. . . "say you want me, then text it on my cell phone".

"This Bed" is a great song. It is retro r&b dance at it best. I think the musical arrangement could have been a little better but I still love it.

"Distance and time" is a beautiful, emotional song. Vocals and arrangements are spot on.

"How it feels to fly" is a great song . . . it is the perfect inspirational song for great singers like a young Witney or Mariah Carey.

"Empire state of mind-part 2" is a softer version of the number 1 Jay-Z hit song.

Overall, this CD is very good from beginning to end . . . especially if you compare it to current pop artist.
Alicia is an extremely talented young artist who knows how to write very good contemporary songs. I'm confident she can one day create a unique, super classic work that will change the World like Marvin's "What's going on" or Stevie's "Songs in the key of life".

'The Element of Freedom' is Alicia Keys' fourth studio album, fifth overall; and I must say that she definetly pushed herself off her limits but not as far as I believe she is capable of. Nonetheless, 'Freedom' is a great collection of songs that really understand what the listener is feeling which is what Alicia aims to do with her songs. She doesn't go for that #1 hit, she writes because she's a writer, an artist. So I'll review the album by song:

1: Element of Freedom [Intro] - I am so glad that she used this quote to open the album because it definetly explains what the album will be about. However, I do miss her signature introduction on her last albums that include her playing the piano, sampling harmonies like Beethoven and Chopin. Grade: A+

2: Love Is Blind - Alicia sings in a different way in this song and at first, I was unsure of what to make about it, but the more I listen, the more I like it. She steps out of her comfort zone, and really delivers on this song. The message is heavy and is complimented by the instrumentals. Grade: A-

3: Doesn't Mean Anything - This was the first single off the album and even though it flopped on the charts, it's a very nice song with a powerful message. It's too bad this song is underrated thanks to the trash on the radio people call music. It's very simple yet strong, like her 2007 hit, "No One". Grade: B+

4: Try Sleeping With A Broken Heart - This song must be the best song on the album. Everything from the lyrics, to her voice, to the music tied in very well and the mood is so strong. Some say this song should've been the first single, I don't know if I would agree cause I liked 'Doesn't Mean Anything'. Grade: A+

5: Wait Til You See My Smile - Slow, simple song with beautiful lyrics. I could definetly see this song in a movie somehow. Grade: B

6: That's How Strong My Love Is - The piano in this song is what makes me fall for this song. It's one of the songs that relate to the listener and the lyrics of this song are phenominal! Wonderfully arranged. Grade: A

7: Un-Thinkable [I'm Ready] - Drake co-wrote this song with Alicia and it's the best duet of the album. This song has single potential and I believe it will do good on the charts. Grade: B+

8: Love Is My Disease - This song doesn't catch my attention just yet, but soon enough it will. The way it's arraged throws me of a bit, but nonetheless it's not an album-filler, that;s for sure. Grade: B

9: Like The Sea - Love seems to be the theme of the album rather than freedom, but in spite of the album's title, this song expresing love is a finger-snapping, head-bopping song. Wonderful. Grade: A-

10: Put It In A Love Song [ft. Beyonce] - I like the mini-intorduction Alicia has with Beyonce, before the song break down the convo and the dance groove begins. This song sort of feels like none of the rest of the songs in this album, however its a good effort for Keys' to get her Beyonce on. Grade: A

11: This Bed - This song is on constant replay on my iPod, I like how it expresses her emotions of her loneliness and lost love. Grade: A-

12: Distance and Time: This song is the second-best song on the album after the fourth track, listeners can definetly relate to this song, especially if he/she is in a long distance relationship. Grade: A+

13: How It Feels To Fly: Probably the only song that has that element of freedom in its lyrics, but it does set you in the mood in wonder and desire to fly, which is a feeling everyone can relate to. Grade: B

14: Empire State of Mind Part 2 - This version of the hit single must be a classic, it should be NYC'c city anthem. She sounds great as usual and is the perfect way to close the album.

Overall, the album is awesome. A must have of the year. It could make a great christmas present for the one you love. Great job Alicia!

All pretty enough songs that ultimatley run together and fade into vanilla boringness. Absolutely nothing in this album stood out and it all sounded the same. The sounds weren't even that catchy let alone original. Seriously, when you have to write a song about texting, you know you have hit a creative low! Our culture really is devolving if this is all our best musicians can come up with. Don't get me wrong. I think, or thought, Alicia Keys is brilliant and I was stunned by some of her previous work. I also thought she was a little less commercial. I guess one can't be expected to kick out perfection in every work, but this album was really about satisfying the record company and putting out music for the sake of production. Maybe nextime!