Alicia Keys

The Diary Of Alicia Keys

Sista, Sista...

Review Score:

(8/10)
I'm 18 years old, Im a big fan of hers... Once again, she brought us a great album.. Overall, its good but l think it really lacks "soulful" feeling: There are more synthetic sounds and less acoustic sounds (less guitar sounds, less organ and stuff..). In fact, I would even say it sounds like a neo-soul-pop album.. But still great though...

1.Harlem Nocturne-intro- Good intro, once again showing us her piano playing skills. A little upbeat, so it wakes you up and get you ready for more. 5/5
2-Karma- Yeah yeah, a really catchy song, but l don't like it though.. The lyrics are good but the musical production is still to "poppy" to my ears (too much synthetisers and computers!!). Quite good upbeat song with trumpets like a military march... 4/5

3-Heartburn- Oh yeah, l wish l could burn the dancefloor with it.. Reminds me of those soundtracks from Blaxploitation movies, back in the 70s.. good beat, trumpets, wah wah guitar (aah!!). Original work by Timbaland... Even though alicia seems to strain her voice on this one... Heartbuuurn!!! 4.5/5

4-Walk On By/If I Was Your Woman- Well, between upbeat and midtempo song... its really great, with only a piano a moog bass and drums.. Sounds a little like a gospel song, but really good. Good vocals, with emotions... Good to chill out with... 5/5

5-You Don't Know My Name- 1st single...This one sounds simply PERFECT.. Good midtempo, with violins (typical 70s atmosphere).. The lyrics are a little cheesy and that phone interlude its so long it starts getting boring.. But the beauty of the song shadows all that... 4.5/5

6-If I Aint Got You- 2nd single... Aaah, much more better, reminds me of a typical "Songs In A Minor"'s tracks... There are only few instruments, so that you can hear the beauty and the emotion in her voice.. real Good song... i love the part just before the chorus. Great ballad.... 5/5

7-The Diary (ft. Toni Tony tone)- Don't know why so many people hate this song. Its a great one, really cool and Tony Toni Tone singing background vocals, and the piano riff.. Good slowtempo. You should listen to it with a drink, chilling out, thinkin bout ya love.. 5/5

8-Dragon Days- Nah nah nah.. im not feelin this one. Sounds like she's moaning on it... The beat is quite good, but l dont love the way she sings on it... from moaning to grave voices... Nah. Definitly nah. not-that-good midtempo 3/5

9-Wake up- Uh uh, quite good ballad. Sounds more like a pop ballad from the 80s than a soul one... But still good.I like it but not my fave... 4/5

10-So Simple- Andre Harris' sound (Try "Butterflies" from Jackson's "Invincible" or "lullaby" on M Carey's "Charmbracelet").. I like the way she managed to make it ssounds like a sampled song (with the vynil's sound).. The second high-pitched voice is quite funny, but it really works... Good midtempo song 5/5

11-When You Really Love Lomeone- Thats what l was talkin about.. Its like putting "A Woman's Worth" and "fallin" together.. Great emotional moment. With the choird and all of that... this is a great great ballad, with great vocals (Showing her quite-high vocal range) 6/5

12-Feelin U Feelin Me- Interlude. Sounds like a Marvin Gaye work with sexy voices in the background and an electric piano and a burnin guitar.. mmh!! Good slow instrumental.. 4/5

13-Slow Down- Hmm.. Sista AK get nasty nasty with that sexy song.. But that's all. Its quite boring and a little poppy. Midtempo song.. 3.5/5

14- Samsonite man- Pfff... No comment. 2/5

15-Nobody Not Really- Good song to end the album. Kind of laid back vocals on it. Good work. Naw Im waitin for another AK dish... She's really talented (britney and jessica where are you??), she really deserves her success, even though l know a lotta people wanna see her failing. Nah, hold on Sista Alicia... Just one question: What was she thinkin when she decided to sing that "Gangsta lovin" song with Eve?? Boring!!

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