Customer Reviews

The Way It Is

5 star:		(151)
4 star:		(60)
3 star:		(18)
2 star:		(10)
1 star:		(9)

 

 

Keyshia Cole is a singer that will be around for a long time. When she sings "I just want it to be over", it ain't about her music career. She has a great voice. To me, it is like a blend between Mary J Blige and the late, Great Aaliyah. Whooo, Keyshia can SANG! Kind of like Toni Braxton, a voice like this doesn't come around too often. I can't wait for Keyshia's second album.

TOP Tracks
1. I just Want it to be over
2. Love
3. Guess What
4. I changed my mind
5. Love, I thought you had my back

I was first introduced to Keyshia Cole on a show that BET used to have on their network entitled The Next. The show was 30 minutes long and the program would show videos from artists that were very popular in their region and not mainstream or they would show videos from artists that were new and just getting into the business. I saw a video from Keyshia Cole on The Next entitled "I Changed My Mind". Of course, the first thing that came to my mind was I see we have a 2004 Faith Evans, but Keyshia could actually sing and you could definitely relate to what she was talking about in the song. Kanye West supplied a nice track and I knew that Keyshia had the potential to deliver a nice debut CD. I told my old roomate about how much I liked the song and he downloaded three other songs from Keyshia entitled "We Could Be", "I Should Have Cheated", and "Guess What" featuring Jadakiss. All three of these tracks were tight especially "I Should Have Cheated" which had Keyshia talking about a situation she was in and describing the fact that if she knew that the man that she was dealing with was shady that she should have "payed him back" in the worst way, meaning that she should have cheated on him when she had the chance to. Although, some people don't want to deal with real issues when it comes to male/female relationships, Keyshia does a good job of bringing details to the forefront, whether the situation was factual or not. Months later, I heard another track from Keyshia entitled "I Just Want It To Be Over", which is definitely a banger. Kerry Brothers, Mr. Krucial Keys himself, proves why he and Alicia have been able to churn out those hits all along. Keyshia basically is talking about how she is tired of dealing with the day to day stress of being in a relationship that is going nowhere and she just wants things to be done and over with. I knew that once "The Way It Is" was released, that I would definitely go and purchase the CD.

The best moments on this CD is when the right music is put behind the fiery voice of Ms. Keyshia Cole. The best example of this is on the song "Love". No, the track is not a remake of the Musiq Soulchild song with the same title. Keyshia composes her own version with help from Greg Curtis and others. This track should definitely be a blueprint for newcomers in the r&b game. The track doesn't get in the way of Keyshia's vocals and you're meant to believe that she is the only one who can really tell you about what "Love" is about. It sounds as if the track, "Love, I Thought You Had My Back" starts things off as Ron Fair and Toxic use a perfect "Love Jones" sample to start the "love" off and then the actual slow jam "Love" brings things home as part of a two part song. "We Could Be" has Keyshia trying to convince a male that she has been platonic friends to consider taking things to another level or being more than just platonic friends. She does a good job in trying to prove her case. "Situations" is a nice midtempo jam until Chink Santana, who has worked with Ashanti and other The Inc. artists, fails at giving his best 2Pac impersonation. "You've Changed" ends up being a decent answer to Jay Z's "Song Cry" as Keyshia uses the same track to make a sequel of the actual song from the Def Jam President. It would have worked out even better if Keyshia would have found a way to release this track closer to the time when Jay Z first released the song.

Now don't get me wrong, "The Way It Is" isn't without its faults. The tracks "Down And Dirty" and "Superstar" clearly don't compare to the quality of other songs on the CD. They would have been better off just leaving these two songs off of the CD although Keyshia will try to win you over with her voice on "Down And Dirty". On "Guess What" certain people will be turned off by the excessive cursing on the song. There is such thing as unnecessary and excessive cursing on a r&b song but if you listen to the track closely then you will know why the language is needed for that particular track.

"The Way It Is" is a quality debut CD from Keyshia Cole. You get a decent dose of her potential in the r&b game. In the future, if she can get the same quality in the music that she clearly has in her voice, then Keyshia will have no problems staying around for awhile and we all want that.

James' Top 5

1) I Changed My Mind
2) Love
3) I Just Want It To Be Over
4) I Should Have Cheated
5) We Could Be

This is one of the few albums that you can listen to all the way through,I give it 5 stars.

The first time I heard Keyshia Cole was on our local hip-hop station. The song was "Love" and I was totally blown away by this woman's voice. You can hear the depth & emotion--so powerful. I knew the song had been on the charts for awhile, so I downloaded it for a compilation of songs I was going to play in the club where I work as a DJ. I have since listened to samples of the other songs, and I like them all so I bought the album. I don't usually do that any more, I just buy the songs I like, but "(I Just Want It)To Be Over", "I Changed My Mind", "Guess What?", "You've Changed", "Situations"--they are all great songs with meaningful lyrics that ring true. I highly recommend this album to anyone who appreciates a rare talent & great music.

Last night while I was in a bar watching my beloved White Sox sweep Houston and win the world series:-) A bootlegger came up to me with a list of CD's he was selling. I was curious to hear Keyshia's CD ever since I saw the video for "I Changed My Mind" around this time last year. One of the girls at the bar said the CD was a waste of time. Well, I went ahead and brought it anyway so I could form my own opinion. I am soooooooo glad that I did, I popped the CD in on my drive home. Once I got home I sat in my car in my driveway for an additional 30 minutes listening to this CD. I love this CD so much that on my lunch break today I went and brought a real copy, so I could read the liner notes. That's how you know a CD is really special, when you'd rather have the real copy over the bootleg copy. Keyshia's CD is a throw back to when R&B was original and the artist hooked you with lyrics and production quality. Not just one or the other as so many artist do today. Keyshia's voice and lyrics come from the raw emotion that can only be expressed after living through these situations, which she sings about. My favorite track on this CD is "Love, I thought You Had my Back", which has quickly become my new favorite song. Also, I found the concept "You've Changed" to be very original. "You've Changed" is the female point of view to Jay Z's "Song Cry". Keyshia actually uses the exact same beat and offers her take on why Jigga's song was really crying in the first place. She even manages to keep her lyrical depth on fast tracks such as "Guess What" which at first listen sounds like your average club banger until you listen closely to the lyrics. The lyrics tell the story of a woman that's fed up with a relationship she gave so much to and then got little back in return. She finally gets the strength to leave the relationship and kick the no good man out of her house "She's needing the keys back from you". Don't get me wrong Keyshia didn't drop a complete man hatter CD (ala Blu Cantrell debut CD) her CD tells every phaze of a relationship. She tells the story so beautifully using R&B, Hip Hop, and a hint of Soul. I highly recommend this CD, buy it you won't be disappointed.

Keyshia Cole released the single "I Changed My Mind" some time ago, and many compared her to other singers at the time. The song got moderate airplay and then I didn't hear anything from her. Her songs were prominently featured throughout the Mo'Nique movie "Hair Show", and that's when I decided I had to pick up the album if it came out. After the success of the single "(I Just Want It) to Be Over", it did, and I am glad that I picked it up.

This album is a near-classic, for it is completely relatable and realistic. You can practically tell each song's subject matter just by the title. She's not singing about watching Nickelodeon and wishing to play in the dirt, nor is she singing about anything overly raunchy. The comparisons to other singers are spot-on, and Keyshia never disappoints with her soulful voice. "I Changed My Mind" was a suitable first single, a song worthy enough to get people talking. The vocals are off the hook, and Kanye West delivers an off-kilter beat that is actually contagious. "Guess What" is reminiscent of Kelis, but Keyshia definitely takes it and makes it her own. On-point lyrics flowing with an on-point beat makes this song enjoyable. "Never" samples the classic Luther Vandross, and even has a lovely cameo from the always-on-point Eve. "You Changed" takes you back to yesteryear but still has enough "newness" to keep you interested.

It's the slower songs that showcases Keyshia's vocals to their fullest extent. She has such a voice that even when she cracks, it still works and shows the emotion obviously put into the songs. Check out single-ready "Love", which is practically self-explanatory. Keyshia nowhere near disappoints at all on this song. The best song vocally and most relatable has to be "(I Just Want It) to Be Over", the second single. Keyshia sings her heart out on this song, and its emotions and pain flow effortlessly through her voice. A definite standout. "I Should Have Cheated" has the proper elements of harmony and slides along with the soulful beat. "We Could Be" slows things down, but the beat is just SICK. The whole mood of the album is practically on this one song by itself.

A couple of the songs are just obvious filler. "Down and Dirty" isn't even catchy enough in the beginning to warrant a full listen, and "Superstar" has too many DJ Clue-esque shoutouts to make it thoroughly enjoyable. These songs could have been left off to make room for more soulful ballads that Keyshia is definitely capable of.

This album is DEFINITELY NOT one that should be missed. Keyshia Cole is definitely a breath of fresh air in an R&B market flooded with generic and formulaic artists. here's hoping that we can definitely see more of Ms. Cole in the very near future.

Like the ppl said dey really dont promote her alot not like ciara and ashanti and stuff but she is a hot artist i actually like her album way betta than ciara's goodies its more passionate and real at da same her voice OMG!!!!!! im not even gon tawlk about dat mariah betta watch out muh gurl comin 4 her doe
THE WAY IT IS

(I Just want)to be over 10/10 DOESNT EVERYBODY lol

I Changed My Mind 9/10

Love, I Thought You Had My Back 10/10 The Chours is hott on dis song

I Should Have Cheated 10/10 All I can Say Is Yup Dats True

Guess What ft Jadakiss 10/10 Love the lyrics she kept it real gangsta on dis

LOVE 50/10 BEST SONG ON THIS ALBUM I PLAY 2 DEATH THE WHOLE SONG IS HOTTTTTTTTTT!!!!!!!!!!!! HER VOCALS ON THIS TRACK IS AMAZING IT GIVES YOU GOOSEBUMPS GO GURL

You've Changed 10/10 This song is hott 2 i neva realize dat it da answer 2 jay z song cry same beat its hott doe ik like it

We Could be 9/10

Situations ft Chink Santana 8/10

Down and Dirty 10/10

Superstar ft Metro City 9/10 its alright metro city kinda sounds like LLyod

Never ft Eve 10/10 I LOVE THE BEAT!!!!!
R.I.P LUTHER VANDROSS 2 TYMES 4 EVE 2

eve rap is tight work

overall grade its a A+

Hey everyone out there I would just like to say our lady Keyisha Cole is doing just what I expected her to do. She is blowing everything away with her powerful vocals and intense lyrics. I would just like to give it up to Keyshia Cole for such an excellent duebet CD. I have to go ahead and say it is alot better that I expected. Go ahead everyone save up your money, or whatever kind of hustle you gotta do and buy Keyisha Cole's album The Way It Is. It is very much so worth it. If you dont belive go ahead and listen to some of the soul stirred tracks for yourself. Go ahead and buy a copy to jam on the road, to work or just simply on the go.It will be one of the best album purchases you have made since Lyfe Jennings 268-192.

I first heard of Keyshia Cole on the Barbershop 2 soundtrack. She had a song on there (also appears at the end of this album) that sampled the classic Luther Vandross song 'Never Too Much' called Never and featured EVE. Much to everyone's surprise she did the song much justice...and blew away many listeners. Who was this Keyshia Cole?

Well Keyshia Cole is determined to make a name for herself with her debut album The Way It Is. Keyshia Cole has a world of singing talent. She and Brooke Valentine(the other new talent who dropped a debut this year)have a great deal of vocal ability and if I had to choose whose voice is better I'd go with Keyshia Cole. She got some serious lungs. While Valentine went in a very questionable direction with her album, Keyshia Cole sticks to what singers of her caliber should be doing and that is powerful midtempos and ballads. She didn't waste her voice or her debut album on techno esque songs or stupid experimental type songs. She gets down to the nitty gritty with fresh new looks on relationships. Four songs into The Way It Is and you can tell that this album is infinitely better than Chain Letter was. Excellent ballads such as I Should Have Cheated and I Just Want It To Be Over and the first single I Changed My Mind...are all great songs. Classic status. She has solidified her place in my memory with a masterpiece ballad LOVE. This song is one for the ages. She belts out this snog with so much soul and passion.

She has such a powerful voice yet still unique. I'm having trouble recalling a voice who she reminds me of. I'm sure with further thought it will come but until then...she has the voice. She breathes feeling and life into You've Changed and We Could Be. Actually the whole album is a great listen.

This album ranks up there with Amerie's Touch and Mariah Carey's Emancipation Of Mimi as one of the best albums of the year. And as far as debuts go...it's to the quality of Tamia, Mary J. Blige, Amerie, Aaliyah, Monica, Brandy, Mya, Teedra Moses, Erykah Badu and Lauryn Hill in the vein of truly great debuts. She completely blew me away with this album and I was completely surprised. Up until now I didn't think anything would be competing with either that Amerie or the Mariah for best album of the year but this album sure does. What a debut!!! She will be around for years to come and it would be a complete shame if she didn't sell AT LEAST platinum. Keyshia Cole doesn't disappoint with this one. Be sure not to miss out on this goodness! 5 Stars. A diva in the making!

I been waiting soo long for Keyshia's cd to come out..First time I heard "I Changed My Mind" I automically became a fan so I had to buy the single from Amazon since her album wasn't released yet..This girl can sing with all her might & she is TRULY talented & isn't like no other..She has her own style & she is from Cali like me lol soo thats even better..The whole album is great she can't really be compared to any female artists today because she is just Keyshia natural & mos def gifted..Go copp her album lets make her go platinum