Alicia Keys - As I Am
Feb 20, 2023 11:26:33 GMT -5
Post by jenglisbe on Feb 20, 2023 11:26:33 GMT -5
I'm surprised there isn't a thread for this one, especially since it had its 15th anniversary a few months ago. When it was released it felt like more of the same from her to me, but over time it has become my favorite Alicia Keys album. It certainly wasn't necessarily anything new from her overall and her lyrics remained pretty basic, but for me it finds her best integration of classic R&B and modern production touches because her old school influences definitely shine through, but the album still feels modern. To that end the stock lyrics can be an issue, but she's an artist where reductiveness becomes the point.
The singles were all very solid.
"No One" evokes Stevie Wonder with the use of electric keyboard, and Keys pushing her vocal limits works for the song.
"Like You'll Never See My Again" is another homage to Prince from her, but probably my favorite.
"Teenage Love Affair" calls to mind classic Motown songs.
I also love album tracks like the lively "Wreckless Love," the smooth "Tell You Something," and the go-go funky "I Need You."
It was a weird run at the Grammys because after seemingly being a Grammys fave, "No One" didn't get in Record or Song despite being a huge #1 and winning R&B Female and R&B Song. Then when the album was eligible it didn't even get in R&B Album, which her first two albums had won. "Superwoman" won R&B Female, too, though. It was all kind of weird.
The singles were all very solid.
"No One" evokes Stevie Wonder with the use of electric keyboard, and Keys pushing her vocal limits works for the song.
"Like You'll Never See My Again" is another homage to Prince from her, but probably my favorite.
"Teenage Love Affair" calls to mind classic Motown songs.
I also love album tracks like the lively "Wreckless Love," the smooth "Tell You Something," and the go-go funky "I Need You."
It was a weird run at the Grammys because after seemingly being a Grammys fave, "No One" didn't get in Record or Song despite being a huge #1 and winning R&B Female and R&B Song. Then when the album was eligible it didn't even get in R&B Album, which her first two albums had won. "Superwoman" won R&B Female, too, though. It was all kind of weird.
