The Element of Freedom

Free your Mind (2010-03-10) : 5/5
I love Alicia Keys and she continues to be one of the few bright stars in this current RB market. Since the late 90's RB has suffer from a lack of real raw talent and I miss that New Jack Swing Era. Thank God for Alicia! The Elements of Freedom played like a throw back to the 80's RB Pop sound made by Prince and Lisa Lisa and Cult Jam. I love the fact that she took risks and even step outside her own box and got creative with her music. My favorite is "Sleeping With A Broken Heart" "This Bed" "Un-Thinkable (I'm Ready)" "Empire State Of Mind (Part II)" "Like The Sea" and "Love is My Disease" br /br /Once again Alicia Keys delivers. 5 stars!
Great CD (2010-03-05) : 5/5
If you are a dedicated Alicia Keys fan, you will love this CD. It is wonderful!!
good album (2010-03-05) : 4/5
This album is definitely alicia's most initimate album so far. I felt a connection with those songs. Especially songs such as distance and time, empire state and try sleeping with a broken heart. I loved this album. Very personal and creative piece of work.
INNOVATIVE (2010-03-01) : 5/5
I love all of Alicia Keyes music so it's not surprising that I love this collection of songs as well. I love how she gives the old school sound a new twist. On this CD Alicia blends pop and soul, even giving broadway-type songs a soulful sound. There's even a 50's type song that she sings with a new rhythm. I've listened to this CD again and again and again.br /
a nice freedom from her past (2010-02-23) : 4/5
alicia has come a long way from the girl with braids who sang stevie wonderish/70s soul music to the woman br /who has seem to be more comfortable in her own skin. element of freedom has a bit of an 80s soft rock, adult br /contemporary, prince style to it. it debuted at #2 which proves that changing her usual sound was risky. it has br /a nice theme to it and i love the colors. her use of metaphors with love and the "sea" is beautiful. i found br /half of the songs to be either outstanding or that grabs my attention, the rest are just okay. i love alicia keys br /though. she's one of the talented, brightest stars out there. i guess i feel more drawn to this album than the others because i love 80s music and i can identify with the theme more.br /br /br /1. "Love Is Blind" (4/5)-it sounds kinda weird and different but i like it.br /br /2. "Doesn't Mean Anything" (3.5/5)-didn't like it at first but the more i listen to it..it doesn't sound so bad.br /br /3. "Try Sleeping with a Broken Heart" (5/5)-epic intro. "let's do it baby". she sounds ready. try sleeping br /with a broken heart is my favorite...i guess it's partially because i can relate to the title.br /br /4. "Wait Til You See My Smile" (4/5)-it reminds me of the music in the early 80s, but i dont' know about this song. i love the beats...but i don't feel the song itself is enough to give it 5 stars br /br /5. "That's How Strong My Love Is" (4.5/5)-she sounds very cute in this song. i love how she plays the br /piano. one person on here pointed out that it kinda sounded like force md's tender love. now that i think about br /it..yes, it does.br /br /7. "Un-thinkable (I'm Ready)" (5/5)-i like this song alot. it sounds very sensual. and hearing drake's br /deep vocals in the background ain't bad either. maybe she should release this as the next single.br /br /8. "Love Is My Disease" (4/5) -i'm liking the reggae beats.br /br /9. "Like the Sea" (5/5)-great songbr /br /10. "Put It in a Love Song" (featuring Beyoncé) (5/5)-i didn't like it at first, but it grew on me. bey and br /alicia really have great chemistry together. they compliment each other nicely. this song has girl power br /written all over it. i can't wait to see their video!br /br /11. "This Bed" (5/5)-the background beats is a very nice throwback to prince's music and the 80s.br /br /12. "Distance and Time" (3/5)- it's a nice song with simple, plain beats. br /br /13. "How It Feels to Fly"(4/5)-sounds similar to distance and time, but i like it a lil bit betterbr /br /14. "Empire State of Mind (Part II) Broken Down" (5/5)-the best song on the album. it's one of the songs br /where you feel patriotic and proud of where you came from