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6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
A major achievement., 14 Mar 2003
Alicia Keys is not one to stand in the shadows - she's got something to say and expertly does so, incorporating her words into a slickly produced debut offering. Bravely swirling together strong bass lines with smooth R'n'B, sexy soul and even a hint of jazz, it is difficult to believe that this is her first effort.The hauntingly atmospheric Fallin' paved the way for Ms. Keys in 2001, and the album contains two versions of the incredibly popular track. The second version, a remix featuring Busta Rhymes, is barely recognisable as it introduces a previously unheard rap section with Keys' voice over a backing track of vocal medley and harmonising. The catchy Girlfriend is similar in tempo to the equally infectious Jane Doe - which will have you humming all day long. Keys' opportunity to showcase her vocal capabilities comes when the ballads arrive: Goodbye holds its course as the champion of the tearjerker collection, with its twangy guitar rhythms and smooth harmonisation. Never Felt This Way and Butterflyz - although seeing Keys where she so obviously belongs tinkling with her piano - seem to lose their direction, if indeed they were ever in possession of one to begin with. Avidly awaiting some kind of progression, neither track seemed to satisfy me in getting off the ground, and retained the same key and tempo throughout. Track fourteen, Why Do I Feel So Sad, sees a return to form with its smooth melodies and progressive tempo. Some of the latter tracks mentioned are at times difficult to distinguish from each other and are similar to the offerings of more mainstream artists such as Britney Spears. Do not, however, let the mediocre ballads on this album cloud your perception of the outstanding tracks at the beginning: Track six - Rock Wit You, for instance is a laid-back affair, sleekly produced with a thumping beat and strings arrangement. The neighbours may soon be pounding on the wall, although if they have any musical taste whatsoever they'll probably be signalling for you to turn it up a notch. Those of you who are adamant that a decent musician should not only be able to play an instrument, but also write their own songs will be pleased to learn that Keys wrote (or co-wrote) fifteen of the seventeen tracks on offer. With the Britney/J-Lo/Kylie influence dominating the charts presently, it is refreshing to find an artist who needs to resort to neither mainstream pop nor the stripping of clothes to sell records. All in all, "Songs in A Minor" is a mixed bag, not only in musical style but also in lyrical content. Many of the songs are performed with such passion that it wouldn't surprise me to discover that they are - at least in part - autobiographical. Keys' voice is able to adapt to a variety of styles and even lends itself to rap in parts. Keys is unique in the diversity she possesses, but in places sounds rather like eighties soul diva Sade. The album could be described as nothing less than a remarkable achievement; one that will surely prove to be timeless.
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![Songs in A Minor [Bonus Track]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51aXdDrIF4L._SL75_SS50_.jpg)
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