6) As I Am (92)-This
is actually her weakest album. But as you can see its still good. The first 4
songs are really good. Especially “No One”. “Teenage Love Affair” is so sweet
and cute. “Wreckless Love” is also a great song. My favorite non single song is
“Where Do We Go From Here” where relationship issues come full circle. The
album has its fair share of average songs but for the most part its really
good. Top Tracks: Like You’ll Never See
Me Again, No One, Go Ahead, Teenage Love Affair, Where Do We Go From Here.
5) Girl On Fire (93)-GoF
is a great album but not really as interesting as her better albums. The songs
are good tho like the title track, “New Day” and “When It’s All Over”. The
production is decent here, but her singing/lyrics have been better. The first
half is clearly the better half. TT:
Girl On Fire, New Day, Fire We Make, Listen to Your Heart, Limitedless.
4) Songs in a Minor (94)-SiAM
is the one that started it all. The balladry here is incredible. I really like
the first song, “Girlfriend” where Alicia basically tries to steal someone’s
boyfriend lol. Ironic right? We all know what she did in in real life. “Troubles”
is another stand out. “Fallin” is the best however, and it was the lead single
way back in 2001. The album is really well balanced but the production is a little
lacking compared to her lyrics. Top
Tracks: Fallin, How Come You Don’t Call Me, Troubles, Girlfriend, Rock With You.
3) The Element of
Freedom (94)-I know what you’re thinking…but I feel Element of Freedom is a
little bit better than Songs In a Minor. I mean they have the same score lol.
The album shows a wide range of emotions…maybe more than any of her other
albums. The album also has a high level of cohesion. The production isn’t all
that but hey songs like “Try Sleeping With a Broken Heart” and “Un-Thinkable (I’m
Ready)” are terrific. TT: Doesn’t Mean Anything,
Love Is Blind, Try Sleepign With A
Broken Heart, Put it In a Love Song, Un-Thinkable, Empire State of Mind II.
2) Here (95)-This is
Alicia at her rawest. She cusses a lot here, but it’s a great album. The production
is good and her singing is awesome, but not quite her best. She raps with intensity
on “The Gospel”. “Where Do We Begin” is one of her most interesting songs. “Blended
Family” Is also pretty damn good. “Pawn It All” has that classic feel to it. Top Tracks: Blended Family, The Gospel,
Pawn It All, She Don’t Really Care_1 Luv, Kill Your Mama.
1) The Diary of Alicia Keys (96)-Ahead of all her other albums by a hair is TDoAK. Its not perfect but the singles are so so strong. “Karma” chills and cuts into the soul. “You Don’t Know My Name” is a classic song that finds Alicia hollerin at a man who comes into her work environment. The album does kind of loose steam after the halfway point but the first half tho….The production compliments her excellent singing and lyrics. “If I Ain’t Got You” is nice but they played it to death on the radio and I kind of got tired of it lol. Top Tracks: Karma, You Don’t Know My Name, If I Was Your Woman, Diary, If I AInt Got You.
