1. jw1293

   9

   Something's gone awry when the singles are the weakest tracks on the album. As weak as the singles are lyrically ("looks like a girl, but she's a flame" from the title track), they fit well in the musical landscape that Keys has painted. Easily the most consistent and cohesive set of songs we've heard from Keys, "Girl on Fire" moves effortlessly from piano ballads ("Brand New Me") to Jamie XX ("When It's All Over"), to synth-heavy groove "Listen to Your Heart". Some have lamented Keys' refusal to truly open up in the past, and they will likely find plenty wrong with another album where she keeps the listeners at arms length, mostly. But look harder at the thematic elements of a few tracks and you'll see that she's subtly addressing the things that have been said about her. For example, "101" is a thinly veiled dig at the naysayers regarding her relationship with the notoriously unfaithful Swizz Beatz. Not to mention that it sounds fantastic. "Not Even The King", while certainly not currently personal for Keys, finds her at her most intimate on a recording, stopping to sit down, breathe, and push the pedal down before beginning the future nominee for Song of The Year at the Grammy Awards. I'm a longtime Alicia Keys fan, disappointed with the last album of mostly filler music, and am really thrilled to see Keys back at the top of her game and turning out an album even better than "As I Am". Great music!… Expand

   • Helpful? 3 of 3 users said Yes.
2. eddie1987

   8

   I like this album, great songs, Keys comes with kinda of different sound (like New Day, Girl on fire, Limitedless), but she sounds good on slower-piano ballads: Like Brand new me, listen your heart, fire we make, Not Even the King...… Expand

   • Helpful? 1 of 1 users said Yes.
3. dharma

   7

   Alicia Keys is one of my favorite singer, and her previous efforts is reminiscent of 70's style R&B. Girl on Fire is a proclamation on Keys' so called 'greater' creative freedom, taking on a sole producing effort. The end result is a more cohesive album, but lacking the melodical genius that she is renowned for. As the album moves along, songs are pleasant enough but unmemorable. It's commendable body of work of course, but not her best.… Expand

   • Helpful? 0 of 0 users said Yes.
4. Mgmtcritic

   2

   This is one of the worst songs I think I have ever heard. There is no creativity in this song. What's happening in the music biz, very selective artists are left with true talent. Now back to muse. That's creativity.… Expand

   • Helpful? 0 of 2 users said Yes.

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