MiniMusic
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Post by MiniMusic on Nov 14, 2016 8:42:25 GMT -5
Actually I have her unplugged album! But I don't have it on my laptop and since it's a new laptop it has no CD insert ??? So I can't import it into my laptop :( but yeah I'm definitely excited to listen to the rest of her studio albums. How do they stand next to Diary and Here? "Song in A Minor" is a personal favorite for me. I listened to it every day for months when it came out. However, if you're looking for straight forward young Alicia, that's Alicia to core. It is very piano based, I honestly think you can feel her hunger in the record. Very bluesy in nature yet still somewhat R&B/hip hop in one. The ending part of the album does run into together, I love it even though I have heard the complaints. "As I Am" is very old record 70s style in overall sound, you would notice that by the intro. Quite cohesive. It is probably her most cohesive album to date, with "HERE" very close to it. In ways, I would say the album is a bit depressing as a whole. "Element of Freedom" has a many, many great moments for her. Personally, it has some of her best work. With the exception of "Put It In A Love Song" and "Distance and Love", it is quite a lovely album. She experienced more on this record than any of her previous records. You get a little of Coldplay, Mariah Carey ("How It Feels To Fly" has such a Mariah's feel) and unfortunately more fitting Beyonce's track "Put It In A Love Song". Even with her opening track, "Love Is Blind", Alicia sounds different yet a good different, robotic in a sense. "Girl on Fire", it is honestly quite decent too with the exception of lead single and "New Day" (overplayed as it was released back in June of that year). Again, she takes one of her most interesting approach with production with her Jamie XX produced track, "When It's All Over". Yet, the inferno version of "Girl on Fire" and "New Day" are not solid moments on the album. "101" is her best ending track, simply an expression of her love to Swizz. Very Alicia. Overall, one thing I have enjoyed about Alicia that you cannot expect the same with each album. She has been great with making an album not feel like the last one, which I find that good. It could be the case that you love those two and not care for the other three especially if you're looking for a particular sound from her. Over time, I have heard people wish for her to be SIAM style, but again, I take it as a compliment that an artist can deliver you several sounds even if I don't like or not. It is honestly hard for me to pick a favorite from her because each one has a moment of time for me, personally. That all sounds AWESOME. To be honest, I don't think I'm looking for a specific sound so it's going to be really fun to listen to the rest of her albums. As I Am sounds awesome- old 70s sound?! YAS. Imma get into these ASAP and let you all know how I feel about them :)
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allow that
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Post by allow that on Nov 14, 2016 11:52:42 GMT -5
Didn't check out the whole album yet but I am not here for "Holy War." Yawn. While I may agree with her message, this is the type of preachy inspirational Alicia song that has gradually killed the buzz I used to have her.
And Illangelo? Your most basic production to date.
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music89
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Post by music89 on Nov 14, 2016 12:05:49 GMT -5
Didn't check out the whole album yet but I am not here for "Holy War." Yawn. While I may agree with her message, this is the type of preachy inspirational Alicia song that has gradually killed the buzz I used to have her. And Illangelo? Your most basic production to date. I think Holy War is the only boring song on the album. Everything else sounds different. Give it a listen ;)
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SHOOTER
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Post by SHOOTER on Nov 14, 2016 12:14:15 GMT -5
Debuts at #2 with 50k SPS (42k sales) per Billboard.
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Enigma.
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Post by Enigma. on Nov 14, 2016 12:26:40 GMT -5
Try Sleeping with a Broken Heart is my favourite single of hers, and this is my fave album, followed by The Diary
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Active Aggressive
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Post by Active Aggressive on Nov 14, 2016 13:05:32 GMT -5
With the exception of "Put It In A Love Song" and "Distance and LoveTime", it is quite a lovely album. She experienced more on this record than any of her previous records. You get a little of Coldplay, Mariah Carey ("How It Feels To Fly" has such a Mariah's feel) Even with her opening track, "Love Is Blind", Alicia sounds different yet a good different, robotic in a sense. "101" is her best ending track, simply an expression of her love to Swizz. Very Alicia. Couple of things I wanted to address here: 1) I can KINDA see Coldplay influences, but, as a long-term Mariah stan, I am not hearing ANY of her sonically or stylistically in How It Feels To Fly. Do you have any specific examples? Is it because it's inspirational and has a choir? That's the only thing I can think of but other than that, I can't hear Mariah singing that song. 2) What does "good different, robotic" mean? This is a serious question because I actually tried to figure out what you meant by it. 3) 101 is actually my favorite song on the album (I would say 101, When It's All Over, One Thing, and Fire We Make are my highlights on one of my favorite Alicia albums to date) and maybe the song touches on her relationship with Swizz but I would say even THAT is a stretch. It's definitely not a "simple expression of her love to Swizz," although what it's technically about, I am not really sure. AFAIK, Alicia has never really elaborated on the song's meaning but it sounds like a song of defeat/depression to me, at least that's how the lyrics read. It's like resolving oneself to being just a number in the game of love/life.
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Rican@
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Post by Rican@ on Nov 14, 2016 14:40:37 GMT -5
With the exception of "Put It In A Love Song" and "Distance and LoveTime", it is quite a lovely album. She experienced more on this record than any of her previous records. You get a little of Coldplay, Mariah Carey ("How It Feels To Fly" has such a Mariah's feel) Even with her opening track, "Love Is Blind", Alicia sounds different yet a good different, robotic in a sense. "101" is her best ending track, simply an expression of her love to Swizz. Very Alicia. Couple of things I wanted to address here: 1) I can KINDA see Coldplay influences, but, as a long-term Mariah stan, I am not hearing ANY of her sonically or stylistically in How It Feels To Fly. Do you have any specific examples? Is it because it's inspirational and has a choir? That's the only thing I can think of but other than that, I can't hear Mariah singing that song. 2) What does "good different, robotic" mean? This is a serious question because I actually tried to figure out what you meant by it. 3) 101 is actually my favorite song on the album (I would say 101, When It's All Over, One Thing, and Fire We Make are my highlights on one of my favorite Alicia albums to date) and maybe the song touches on her relationship with Swizz but I would say even THAT is a stretch. It's definitely not a "simple expression of her love to Swizz," although what it's technically about, I am not really sure. AFAIK, Alicia has never really elaborated on the song's meaning but it sounds like a song of defeat/depression to me, at least that's how the lyrics read. It's like resolving oneself to being just a number in the game of love/life. For "How It Feels To Fly", it is her vocals that reminds me of Mariah. It is quite Mariah, not as she sounds like Mariah, but her runs feels very Mariah. She sounds like a robot to me, more so the autotune is definitely there in the first verse (or line). It is definitely a love song to Swizz, imo. I believe it is straight forward in how she would go the world for him. In ways, I hear herself calling herself stupid for falling for him. Edit: I just noticed my error with "Distance and Time", lol. It goes to show how much I don't care for the song lol
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Rican@
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Post by Rican@ on Nov 14, 2016 14:41:47 GMT -5
Didn't check out the whole album yet but I am not here for "Holy War." Yawn. While I may agree with her message, this is the type of preachy inspirational Alicia song that has gradually killed the buzz I used to have her. And Illangelo? Your most basic production to date. I believe it is a great closing track; however, it is not the first track to go to when listening to a random track off the album.
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Active Aggressive
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Post by Active Aggressive on Nov 14, 2016 15:14:06 GMT -5
Didn't check out the whole album yet but I am not here for "Holy War." Yawn. While I may agree with her message, this is the type of preachy inspirational Alicia song that has gradually killed the buzz I used to have her. And Illangelo? Your most basic production to date. I believe it is a great closing track; however, it is not the first track to go to when listening to a random track off the album. Yeah, I would go further and say I wouldn't even listen to random tracks off the album. I mean, The Gospel short film does that but puts the songs together in a way that flows but otherwise, this is an album to be listened to from front to back. If you dislike Holy War, it's easy to just end the album at the penultimate track.
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Rican@
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Post by Rican@ on Nov 14, 2016 15:15:51 GMT -5
I believe it is a great closing track; however, it is not the first track to go to when listening to a random track off the album. Yeah, I would go further and say I wouldn't even listen to random tracks off the album. I mean, The Gospel short film does that but puts the songs together in a way that flows but otherwise, this is an album to be listened to from front to back. If you dislike Holy War, it's easy to just end the album at the penultimate track. I usually end it with "Where Do We Begin Now", which get repeated play for me. Honestly love that one so much.
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Active Aggressive
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Post by Active Aggressive on Nov 14, 2016 15:17:15 GMT -5
Yeah, that's the penultimate (i.e. second to final) track. I just couldn't think of the name. Alicia's coming out song had to grow on me a bit but I love the beat and the sultry vocals, even if it's basically a sketch of a song.
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music89
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Post by music89 on Nov 14, 2016 15:40:38 GMT -5
101 is DEFINITELY a song about Swizz. The lyrics say it all.
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Active Aggressive
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Post by Active Aggressive on Nov 14, 2016 18:19:15 GMT -5
101 is DEFINITELY a song about Swizz. The lyrics say it all. If so, I wouldn't categorize it as a straightforward love song though because some of those lyrics... Still waiting on receipts but there is literally nothing available about that song other than the lyrics and the song itself.
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Rican@
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Post by Rican@ on Nov 14, 2016 20:09:10 GMT -5
101 is DEFINITELY a song about Swizz. The lyrics say it all. If so, I wouldn't categorize it as a straightforward love song though because some of those lyrics... Still waiting on receipts but there is literally nothing available about that song other than the lyrics and the song itself. I agree, it is not a straightforward love song (however it is structured in the ups and downs of the relationship), but it is definitely an expression of what she would do for him and what she already done for him. That's why I call it a love song toward him.
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music89
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Post by music89 on Nov 16, 2016 7:58:27 GMT -5
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felipe
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Post by felipe on Nov 17, 2016 5:58:27 GMT -5
Itunes:
35. Holy War - Alicia Keys
SHe could really use more promo.
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music89
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Post by music89 on Nov 17, 2016 8:17:46 GMT -5
Vocals, Rhodes, Bass and Double Bass Too Dope!!!!
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Rican@
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Post by Rican@ on Nov 17, 2016 13:02:20 GMT -5
While I do not care for "Holy War" as a single, it needs to push to Hot AC and AC right now. It could be the album seller. It is unfortunately how this is her most cohesive since "As I Am" and it will definitely be her least successful one to date especially if there isn't a turn around. I don't expect a turn around because her team refuses to give the people what they want. These uplifting/inspiring songs aren't it right. We are no longer in the 90s where they were quite popular. She has some jams on this album that need some shine. I don't understand.
"Blended Family" doesn't need to push either. I don't see it even making to top 10 on urban AC. Its cute, but again the wrong choice.
I clearly do not understand her team. So many missed opportunities. I applaud her for being personal, but leave it as an album track.
We will see.
I hope she is performing on the AMAs.
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cjay
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Post by cjay on Nov 17, 2016 13:08:57 GMT -5
Itunes: 35. Holy War - Alicia Keys SHe could really use more promo. What this tells me is not only does she need more promo, Alicia needs to be promoted to a wider audience. She is an urban artist, but she appeals to a wider audience. The fact that Holy War shot up to 35 after her performance on the Voice is amazing. But now I'm asking myself, why didn't In Common get a similar response after her performance? hmmm?
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music89
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Post by music89 on Nov 17, 2016 15:16:56 GMT -5
While I do not care for "Holy War" as a single, it needs to push to Hot AC and AC right now. It could be the album seller. It is unfortunately how this is her most cohesive since "As I Am" and it will definitely be her least successful one to date especially if there isn't a turn around. I don't expect a turn around because her team refuses to give the people what they want. These uplifting/inspiring songs aren't it right. We are no longer in the 90s where they were quite popular. She has some jams on this album that need some shine. I don't understand.
"Blended Family" doesn't need to push either. I don't see it even making to top 10 on urban AC. Its cute, but again the wrong choice.
I clearly do not understand her team. So many missed opportunities. I applaud her for being personal, but leave it as an album track. We will see. I hope she is performing on the AMAs. THIS. They are really dumb. Pawn It All, She Don't Really Care and More Than We Know need to be singles.
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Post by Live Your Life on Nov 19, 2016 14:52:18 GMT -5
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Rican@
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Post by Rican@ on Nov 19, 2016 22:56:47 GMT -5
"Back to Life" is a definitely a great one and I would have loved it on HERE too. Hopefully, it does get an Oscar nomination, well deserved as it is quite fitting to the movie, which is a great one too.
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music89
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Post by music89 on Nov 21, 2016 4:58:41 GMT -5
Good performance but i would like to hear other songs...
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music89
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Post by music89 on Nov 23, 2016 8:22:02 GMT -5
Aw!! This was beautiful!! :)
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music89
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Post by music89 on Dec 2, 2016 6:32:34 GMT -5
From The Hamilton Mixtape
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Post by Samsonite Man on Dec 2, 2016 16:10:53 GMT -5
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Post by Samsonite Man on Dec 3, 2016 7:57:30 GMT -5
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music89
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Post by music89 on Dec 3, 2016 8:41:01 GMT -5
A mess LOL. Trash list...like many others.
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Rican@
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Post by Rican@ on Dec 5, 2016 22:35:47 GMT -5
I guess Alicia got the memo because her promo this month will be busy. I just wish her team will get with the program and stop this traditional mess of promoting.
She is popping up on random places to perform and honestly have no clue on who she is trying to promote to.
However, she needs to send out various songs after the freeze. Sell the album, Alicia. Sell it.
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Post by Live Your Life on Dec 16, 2016 21:27:02 GMT -5
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