Comments on: The Element of Freedom http://www.asylumsound.com/music/the-element-of-freedom/ Asylum Sounds Mon, 30 Aug 2010 00:20:17 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 By: A* http://www.asylumsound.com/music/the-element-of-freedom/comment-page-1/#comment-76 A* Thu, 17 Dec 2009 12:22:28 +0000 http://www.asylumsound.com/music/the-element-of-freedom/#comment-76 This year, besides appearing on Jay-Z's mega selling track "Empire State of Mind," Alicia Keys is being overshadowed by more in your face female artists from Lady Gaga to Ke$ha. Her first two singles have not made a huge dent, and it's a shame for the latter, "Try Sleeping with a Broken Heart," is a prince song at its finest with a gorgeous falsetto and synth line that is matched by, "This Bed," (but that song leans more heavily in a Vanity 6 mode of operation). <br /> <br />The Element of Freedom is a much stronger album than her last one, "As I Am." The lyrics on her last disc left me wanting, but on this disc there is a clear and precise concept working: love is dangerous, beautiful, painful and full of beautiful hooks and melodies that will imprint themselves into your brain and draw you into every track on this album. <br /> <br />Among the strongest cuts is, "Love is Blind." The rawness in her voice is unaffected and overly dramatic and goes deep into the mix - it's excellent. And is, almost, a complete 180 from what she is known for sonically. "Love is the Disease," "Wait 'Til You See My Smile" and the stellar "Distance and Time,'" all go for the emotional jugular, and work brilliantly. <br /> <br />There is a quiet lushness with this album that I haven't felt since "The Diary of Alicia Keys." She doesn't seem to be holding back. Her voice is impeccable, the range on display in "How it Feels" to fly, with its slow burn to the soaring choir is another jewel in a disc that is flawless. <br /> <br />This is Alicia Keys at her best. Her voice, lyrics and melodies are just perfection on this album. I can't recommend it enough. Rating: 5 / 5 This year, besides appearing on Jay-Z’s mega selling track “Empire State of Mind,” Alicia Keys is being overshadowed by more in your face female artists from Lady Gaga to Ke$ha. Her first two singles have not made a huge dent, and it’s a shame for the latter, “Try Sleeping with a Broken Heart,” is a prince song at its finest with a gorgeous falsetto and synth line that is matched by, “This Bed,” (but that song leans more heavily in a Vanity 6 mode of operation).

The Element of Freedom is a much stronger album than her last one, “As I Am.” The lyrics on her last disc left me wanting, but on this disc there is a clear and precise concept working: love is dangerous, beautiful, painful and full of beautiful hooks and melodies that will imprint themselves into your brain and draw you into every track on this album.

Among the strongest cuts is, “Love is Blind.” The rawness in her voice is unaffected and overly dramatic and goes deep into the mix – it’s excellent. And is, almost, a complete 180 from what she is known for sonically. “Love is the Disease,” “Wait ‘Til You See My Smile” and the stellar “Distance and Time,’” all go for the emotional jugular, and work brilliantly.

There is a quiet lushness with this album that I haven’t felt since “The Diary of Alicia Keys.” She doesn’t seem to be holding back. Her voice is impeccable, the range on display in “How it Feels” to fly, with its slow burn to the soaring choir is another jewel in a disc that is flawless.

This is Alicia Keys at her best. Her voice, lyrics and melodies are just perfection on this album. I can’t recommend it enough.
Rating: 5 / 5

]]> By: Polish Black Soul http://www.asylumsound.com/music/the-element-of-freedom/comment-page-1/#comment-75 Polish Black Soul Thu, 17 Dec 2009 10:20:48 +0000 http://www.asylumsound.com/music/the-element-of-freedom/#comment-75 Very, very ordinary album and because of that, just poor (but maybe it's too big word). Of course, you can't say that this is the disaster, but mediocre always hurts me. <br /> <br />Best songs in my opinion are "Like The Sea" and "Try Sleeping With a Broken Heart" which're representing a real good, "high" kind of pop. The rest is very unoriginal, and you really won't find there much imagination. <br /> <br />I couldn't write that "The Element Of Freedom" is a big disappointment cause Alicia Keys has never excited me too much, so I didn't expect an "artistic mountains", but the impression is considerable dissatisfaction. Rating: 3 / 5 Very, very ordinary album and because of that, just poor (but maybe it’s too big word). Of course, you can’t say that this is the disaster, but mediocre always hurts me.

Best songs in my opinion are “Like The Sea” and “Try Sleeping With a Broken Heart” which’re representing a real good, “high” kind of pop. The rest is very unoriginal, and you really won’t find there much imagination.

I couldn’t write that “The Element Of Freedom” is a big disappointment cause Alicia Keys has never excited me too much, so I didn’t expect an “artistic mountains”, but the impression is considerable dissatisfaction.
Rating: 3 / 5

]]> By: Ole Ole Ole http://www.asylumsound.com/music/the-element-of-freedom/comment-page-1/#comment-74 Ole Ole Ole Thu, 17 Dec 2009 10:11:14 +0000 http://www.asylumsound.com/music/the-element-of-freedom/#comment-74 Honestly, i was ready to buy this album online today, but before i do i listen to the songs first. Usually when Alicia Keys brings out an album, there are always 3-5 songs that i absolutely love. Though this is not the case for this album, it was really hard for me to find something i liked. Some of these songs, well, most should have bee taken a little more serious and a lot more time. I know it's Christmas season, but i would prefer quality. <br /> <br />"Doesn't Mean Anything" is one that i liked, it's kinda like an "If I Ain't Got You", this could have passed as a "part 2" of it. And that was the only song i liked. I remember purchasing her album "As I Am" and that album was just.......amazing! But nope, this album is more like...mediocre at best... Rating: 2 / 5 Honestly, i was ready to buy this album online today, but before i do i listen to the songs first. Usually when Alicia Keys brings out an album, there are always 3-5 songs that i absolutely love. Though this is not the case for this album, it was really hard for me to find something i liked. Some of these songs, well, most should have bee taken a little more serious and a lot more time. I know it’s Christmas season, but i would prefer quality.

“Doesn’t Mean Anything” is one that i liked, it’s kinda like an “If I Ain’t Got You”, this could have passed as a “part 2″ of it. And that was the only song i liked. I remember purchasing her album “As I Am” and that album was just…….amazing! But nope, this album is more like…mediocre at best…
Rating: 2 / 5

]]> By: D. Patterson http://www.asylumsound.com/music/the-element-of-freedom/comment-page-1/#comment-73 D. Patterson Thu, 17 Dec 2009 09:38:53 +0000 http://www.asylumsound.com/music/the-element-of-freedom/#comment-73 there is one song, maybe 2 if you push it but i did the silly thing of buying the album when i could just buy that one song. is it me or did her singing ability deteriorate. Rating: 1 / 5 there is one song, maybe 2 if you push it but i did the silly thing of buying the album when i could just buy that one song. is it me or did her singing ability deteriorate.
Rating: 1 / 5

]]> By: Anthony Richards http://www.asylumsound.com/music/the-element-of-freedom/comment-page-1/#comment-72 Anthony Richards Thu, 17 Dec 2009 06:40:51 +0000 http://www.asylumsound.com/music/the-element-of-freedom/#comment-72 This is really a very nice cd, every song is beautifully wiritten, and sung, almost as good as her last cd Rating: 5 / 5 This is really a very nice cd, every song is beautifully wiritten, and sung, almost as good as her last cd
Rating: 5 / 5

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