Customer Reviews

Freedom

5 star:		(16)
4 star:		(12)
3 star:		(7)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

Akon has grown with each new album release, while his sound has evolved to the satisfaction and dissatisfaction of his fans, Freedom will no doubt be remembered as the turning point in Akon's career where he evolves from a hip hop artist to a bonafide entertainer.

Freedom does not contain the harsh or explicit lyrics found in "I Still Kill" or the infamous "I Want to **** You" Instead the album is filled with sounds familiar to "Put the Blame on Me" which was lyrically powered rather than over the top production.

That does not mean there are no upbeat club hits on this album, Troublemaker and Beautiful will keep everyone on the dance floor moving. Akon's previous love ballad "Don't Matter" is replaced with a lyrically driven "Be With You" that possess a crisper production that will no doubt lead to some slower sensual dance moves when the DJ decides to spin the track.

The released singles Right Now and I'm So Paid are great but are drastically different. Freedom plays with this contrast in sound by providing many catchy radio friendly songs that are subtly different but possess deeper lyrics than found in past Akon albums.

With all the radio friendly songs you'll find yourself humming to many of these songs during the day, therefore, making it buy you won't regret this holiday season.

It's kinda sad to admit that "johnknapik" is right! Akon has moved into a direction many of his long-time fans will not appreciate.

In his first two CDs he concentrated on HipHop heavy beats and songs about Life&struggle&love, where his unique voice really had its place. But currently Akon has moved to Pop-Dancefloor beats and sing-along love songs which kinda doesn't seem right...

Of course the songs are very catchy, but I don't expect that kind of music from Akon. Sorry, but I'll skip this one and wait for Akon to find back to form (same is true for Kanye and Common).

Akon's sound was steeped in hip-hop beats and edgy lyrics. Freedom is a departure from that sound into a realm of artists that your mother would enjoy (Seal, Leona Lewis). Freedom isn't bad, it just isn't the least bit compelling. This is very watered-down R&B that is sure to cross over to the pop charts...and don't be surprised if you hear Akon on your mom's Mix station.

I discovered Akon after listening to 'Lonely' for the first time from his Trouble album and I was intrigued. I continued listening to him on and off afterwards and while I counted him as one of the better rappers, I admit that I didn't like him completely.

With this album, things changed, however. This is among the best album I have ever heard.

More than anything else, I believe I can contribute my love of the album to the fact that it's practically an entire album of love songs. It's not that I'm addicted to love songs, but Akon seems to have a knack for singing really good love song (I had loved his all of his previous love songs). Furthermore, another really important thing that added to this album is that almost every single track is something you can really dance to. The entire album consists of songs that would do extremely well on radio/TV (something which the vast majority of albums can't claim).

Truthfully, the album was not something I had expected from a rap artist like Akon. I had expected, well, a rap album, but 'Freedom' isn't really a rap album. The songs here fits more into the 'techno/dance' category. One would think it would be highly difficult for a rap artist to make such a transition, but Akon does it *beautifully*.

Almost every song in the album contains catchy music, good lyrics, and importantly, they don't all sound alike. The moment a song begins, you can tell instantly what track it is simply because the music is that distinct.

Ultimately, let me get to the point: This is Akon's best album so far and one of the finest albums from any artists I've heard. For those thinking of purchasing the album, spend the money, and fall in love with such solid tracks as Right Na Na Na, Beautiful, Keep You Much Longer, Be With You, and Sunny Day. The album is worth every single penny and I hope to see such quality from Akon in the future.

I've always enjoyed most of Akon's collaborations with other artists, but I've rarely thought he had a solid enough list of songs compelling enough to buy any of his previous albums. Freedom is different ... and his best yet. It's not as graphic as perhaps the "explicit" label suggests, but it's very listenable for adults who like hip-hop and rap that isn't pure hardcore anger. Seems as if Akon's been trying to lighten up a little, and he has with this song mix which recount more stories of love, lust, and life stories than anything. I respect his recognition of Katherine Dunham on the track Freedom too. Give it a try, you'll like it.

I really think Akon's music has been improving every year from when he made Ghetto up to making Right Now, Freedom, Troublemaker and much more. He really has great talent and through his music he has shown how much he really expresses his life. I hope he keeps going.

Akon has never had a better album, this is truly the best for summer type music. It's completely different from the first Konvict albums, it's my favorite and I am a critical music critic!

This album is in my Top 5 BEST albums of 2008...Honestly, I really haven't stopped playing it since purchasing it last year--I think maybe he did a bit too many collaberations but nonetheless it's a simply amazing album and you will be BLESSED to own it. It's one of those albums where I just let it play in my stereo, and every single song I end up singing along to. My faves would have to be I'm so Paid, Holla Holla, Freedom, Over the Edge, Troublemaker, Keep you Much Longer and Against the Grain...But then again I LOVE all the others too...anyways, thankyou!! Akon for this album.

With the exception of a few songs (i.e. "Holla"), the cd turned out to be much better than I thought. Akon has tried to reinvent himself musically and the music really reflects the point in his life he is in right now. Good CD to jam to while driving.

I was just browsing the MP3 Store on Amazon and came upon Freedom. I sampled the tracks and thought this sounds pretty good so I bought the download. I'm very impressed with what Akon did with this album and there is a little something for everyone.