Flesh Tone
by Kelis
  • Record Label: A&M
  • Release Date: Jul 6, 2010
User Score
8.4

Universal acclaim- based on 55 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 49 out of 55
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 55
  3. Negative: 2 out of 55
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  1. KelGreeny
    Dec 3, 2010
    10
    Far the best Kelis album, It is completely different from her previous albums but in a good way. All tracks compliment each other and flow brilliantly. Kelis is one of those artist that I believe don't get enough recognition and she deserves so much more. Intro, Fireworks (4th of July), Acapella, 22nd Century & Brave are my top tracks. Should be on your iPod!
  2. iamanicon
    Aug 12, 2011
    10
    Having not really been a fan of Kelis I didnt really plan on buying this album. After 'Acapella' and '4th Of July' I downloaded it and WOW! One of the greatest albums I've ever bought!!!
  3. BWETMatangi
    Aug 11, 2013
    5
    "Flesh Tone" is not Kelis' best album. I feel like Kelis should go back to hip hop or R&B, because she isn't an electronic singer. I expect more on her next album.
  4. cartmenez03
    Aug 15, 2011
    10
    Upon first hearing this album I had no idea that it was made by the same person who sang 'Milkshake', and I was really surprised upon hearing this. 'Flesh Tone' sounds like an album that has been made by a well established dance artist/DJ. I then quickly sought out her previous works after hearing this and was pleased, but none of them compare to 'Flesh Tone'. With no hesitation, I can sayUpon first hearing this album I had no idea that it was made by the same person who sang 'Milkshake', and I was really surprised upon hearing this. 'Flesh Tone' sounds like an album that has been made by a well established dance artist/DJ. I then quickly sought out her previous works after hearing this and was pleased, but none of them compare to 'Flesh Tone'. With no hesitation, I can say this is the best album of 2010.… Expand
  5. mpb277
    Nov 9, 2010
    8
    Quite Good. Although most of the songs on the album don't stand out that much, the way the entire album flows together creates a brilliant piece of art. Highlights include "Acapella", "Scream" and "Brave".
  6. TheGorilla
    Aug 25, 2011
    10
    Forget the old Kelis, cause this one R-O-C-K-S. I wouldn't say that the old Kelis is bad, or boring (in fact, she's been as great as I've remembered), but I just want to say that 'Flesh Tone' is a techno-electro master-piece. A great album for every occasion. The way 'Flesh Tone' flows is flawless. From the first one (Intro) to the last one (Song for the Baby), you can hear a story of anForget the old Kelis, cause this one R-O-C-K-S. I wouldn't say that the old Kelis is bad, or boring (in fact, she's been as great as I've remembered), but I just want to say that 'Flesh Tone' is a techno-electro master-piece. A great album for every occasion. The way 'Flesh Tone' flows is flawless. From the first one (Intro) to the last one (Song for the Baby), you can hear a story of an independent, humble, heartbroken and at the same time, strong woman. Also I've noticed that it has some elements of Daft Punk's 'Discovery' (22nd Century, Home). Which is great and refreshing. I can't pick a favorite, cause the album is so well made, it's really difficult to proclaim a highlight on this effort. Kelis, you've done an amazing job. Can't wait for your next album.… Expand
  7. owenrw89
    Dec 19, 2016
    7
    Removing some of the interludes would have made a lot of difference. That said, it's still a brilliant dance record. Kelis is very much the pop-underdog. Flesh Tone once again proved she's always one of the first artists to create.
  8. musicisallineed
    Sep 26, 2011
    5
    Neither hated it or loved it. It certainly deserves far more success than it got. I enjoyed the majority of her new sound, some hard hitting electro beats, but with David Guetta and Benny Benassi what more could you expect ? It does at times feel alittle forces, i-must-fit-this-genre kinda feelings do drag this album down in parts, but all in all, a good album from a very underrated artist.
  9. LuizCC
    Nov 15, 2011
    10
    This is the real pop we expected from 2010. It was a big change in Kelis's style, from R&B to totally techno song, but it fitted for her. Great songs like 'Acapella' and 'Brave' makes this the best change of style ever made in the music industry.
  10. madmandonna
    Nov 27, 2011
    10
    Even nearing 2012 I still LOVE this album. Kelis takes songs in the hands of Rihanna or Katy Perry would not work. She manages to be sincere, intelligent, fun and at the same time makes you wanna dance. Her stunning raspy vocals penetrate the ear beautifully, the beats pulse through the body and she forces you to put your hands in the air. Highlights for me are Brave, 4th of July and leadEven nearing 2012 I still LOVE this album. Kelis takes songs in the hands of Rihanna or Katy Perry would not work. She manages to be sincere, intelligent, fun and at the same time makes you wanna dance. Her stunning raspy vocals penetrate the ear beautifully, the beats pulse through the body and she forces you to put your hands in the air. Highlights for me are Brave, 4th of July and lead single acapella. This woman needs more recognition, her recent collaboration with Calvin Harris was fantastic as well. A perfect 10!… Expand
  11. arvintaylor138
    Feb 18, 2014
    10
    The segues compliment the tracks very well. Each song tells a different story. The techno, dance beats with Kelis' supernatural voice is just simple amazing. The best dance album I've heard in a extremely long time. I advise Kelis to stick with the Electronic path. It suits her and compliments her voice very well!
  12. ihavevocaloid
    Apr 23, 2015
    8
    Flesh Tone was one of the best listening experiences of 2010. I love nearly all of the songs on here. Kelis changes her direction with nearly every album, and this album is no exception. The dance songs here take some getting used to: they're not generic mainstream dance songs. They're unique, they combine Kelis' lyrical concept with production that is definitely interesting: it shows theFlesh Tone was one of the best listening experiences of 2010. I love nearly all of the songs on here. Kelis changes her direction with nearly every album, and this album is no exception. The dance songs here take some getting used to: they're not generic mainstream dance songs. They're unique, they combine Kelis' lyrical concept with production that is definitely interesting: it shows the talents of many producers such as the Benassi Bros. and will.i.am. This album is unlike any dance album ever created. And the segues work extremely well too. There are a few songs on here I don't love (but still like) and the album should be a bit longer, but overall this is an impressive effort and unlike anything I have ever heard before. Grade: A-. Highlights: "Home", "Acapella", "Emancipate" and the segues. Worst song: "Scream"… Expand
  13. Felipecritic
    Oct 23, 2017
    8
    A capacidade de inovação da Kelis é incrível. Mais um álbum que pertence a um estilo comum como eletro, mas que ela conseguiu fazer ficar único. Flesh Tone é um ótimo álbum.
  14. evildevil17
    Jul 3, 2018
    9
    Modern, original and cohesive, Flesh Tone is one of the most solid records released in 2010. There are some killer songs on this one (e.g. "4th of July", "Scream", "Home").

Awards & Rankings

66
#66 Most Discussed Album of 2010

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
77

Generally favorable reviews - based on 16 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 12 out of 16
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 16
  3. Negative: 0 out of 16
  1. Billboard.com
    83
    Buoyed by a favorable divorce settlement, a baby boy and a newly released high-energy dance album, Flesh Tone, the recently single Kelis is ready to bring the boys back to the yard.
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  2. AllMusic
    80
    Whether or not Flesh Tone remains a stylistic outlier, the disc will always be a bright standout in Kelis' discography.
    Read full review
  3. BBC Music
    80
    Kelis's honey-husky voice slips easily into the hypnotic repetitions of dance music vocalisation; she uses the classic language of love songs and the soaring declarations of generalized euphoria particular to house music.
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