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Stars indicate the most critically-acclaimed albums.
Aaliyah
Generally favorable reviews
Based on 14 critic reviews
How did we calculate this?
Based on 35 votes
Read user comments
Rate this album >
Album Info
Label: Virgin
Release Date: 17 July 2001
Discs: 1 disc
Genre(s): R&B, Pop
Summary
This is the third album for Detroit-born Aaliyah, who debuted in 1994 (at the age of 15) with 'Age Ain't Nothing But a Number.' Timbaland produces three tracks. The singer died in a plane crash in August 2001, shortly after the release of the album.
What The Critics Said
All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...
All Music Guide
Aaliyah isn't just a statement of maturity and a stunning artistic leap forward, it is one of the strongest urban soul records of its time.
Read Full Review >E! Online
Though not as immediate as some of her past mainstream work, Aaliyah's latest has the smoky temptress slowly working her way through R&B, hip-hop and even slightly techno beats...
Read Full Review >Entertainment Weekly
Aaliyah only missteps when she tries to stretch outside of her musical comfort zones, indulging in Latin pop and cheesy metal on ''Read Between the Lines'' and ''What If,'' respectively.
Read Full Review >Sonicnet
Take away the album's lone misfire -- the cliché-filled "Rock the Boat," produced by Rapture and E. Seats -- and this work is nearly perfect.
Read Full Review >The Onion (A.V. Club)
Like [Missy] Elliott's terrific last release, Aaliyah gets into a sultry, late-night groove and sticks with it, but throws in enough sonic twists--like the moody piano and symphonic flourishes of "I Understand"--to keep it from getting redundant.
Read Full Review >Rolling Stone
Aaliyah is Control, Velvet Rope and Jagged Little Pill all rolled into one. It's the album Janet should have made with All for You, the manifesto that Beyonce thought she was penning with Survivor.
Read Full Review >Spin
Deeper than anything she's delivered before, Aaliyah's a hard record; almost never does a song roll over and beg to be loved. This makes the yielding moments all the sweeter. [Aug 2001, p.130]
Spin Cycle
When it clicks, "Aaliyah" transforms the confusion of young adulthood into exhilarating freedom
Read Full Review >Dot Music
Overall, aside from the crummy rock-out of 'What If', 'Aaliyah' is accomplished fluid soul, with nothing too jagged or startling to spoil the polished veneer.
Read Full Review >New Musical Express
What's most pronounced is the subtlety of it all, the tastefulness, the lack of bombast and histrionics.
Read Full Review >CDNow
At times, Aaliyah's somewhat frail, underpowered vocals seem insufficient to meet the emotional heights she seeks to attain (particularly on the epic ballad "I Refuse"), but simultaneously that's a large part of her appeal.
Read Full Review >Launch.com
At times the reliance on heavy-breathing, laid-back grooves is a little annoying--Aaliyah doesn't quite have the pipes to carry off melodramatic fare like "Never No More," and a few more club bangers on the order of the springy, sassy "U Got Nerve" certainly wouldn't have hurt.
Read Full Review >Q Magazine
A fair bit of filler... [Sep 2001, p.106]
What Our Users Said
The average user rating for this album is 9.5 (out of 10) based on 35 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.
rick n gave it a10:
excellent r&b album rip aaliyah
Lyan H gave it a10:
The critics are wrong for this low rating. This CD of Aaliyah's is one of her greatest. Aaliyah smooth soulfull voice made this album gold. the beats of"More then A Woman" and her voice did a perfect blend of singing and rhythm.
Lela gave it a10:
Aaliyah is an album that embodies the sista of the millenium, sassy, sensual, gentle brash, rebellious and sometimes dark. Her singing was even more jazz than before, her silky and snake-like vocals tend to overwhelm the listener. The production of course is top notch ranging from Tim's futurisic, freaky-hip-hop electronica, to the melodic production to the industrial, this album is arguably the most muscially diverse album out. And the thing is, it still stick after 4 years. Whether Aaliyah is trying to love you, seduce, ignore or hate you, this what Urban music is about! GET THIS ALBUM!!!
Phoenix force gave it a10:
This is what RnB should really sound like. Aaliyah's album hits the core of the genre with every sultry note and intoxicating line. "We need a resolution" stands out as the definitive single which truly encapsulates a unique contemporary style with every middle-eastern beat.
Missy gave it a 9:
One of her best cds.
Martin L gave it an 8:
Very good.
Kimberrley J gave it a 10:
As, Aaliyah's biggest fan, you might think that Iam just saying this album is the bomb! But, watching her grow from a young girl behind shades, to a classy woman...makes me proud. This album is the best R&B album of 2001. Its a classy artistic statement. Is dark, light and beautiful all at once. Thank you aaliyah for making music for those of us who love the darkness! RIP my special girl!
