Love Letter
by R. Kelly
  • Record Label: Jive
  • Release Date: Dec 14, 2010
User Score
8.4

Universal acclaim- based on 16 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 15 out of 16
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 16
  3. Negative: 1 out of 16
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  1. rollingstone82
    Jan 3, 2011
    8
    I am amazed. I didn't think that R. Kelly could pull something like this off so good. I loved all his old stuff from 12 Play and R. But I didn't think much of all his new stuff. But this is something else. Shows that R. Kelly doesn't have to be explicit to be R. Kelly. Great stuff.
  2. bravekirk
    Dec 14, 2010
    9
    For those of us that loved and remembers songs like "Religious Love", " I cant sleep" ....this album reminds us of the genius that existed in those tracks and affirms that he is still within the boundary of the often sexual implicit artistry of R Kelly. Certainly a must have to reminds us of the greatness that exists in the artist. Tracks like "Love Letter", Love is and "How do i tell her"For those of us that loved and remembers songs like "Religious Love", " I cant sleep" ....this album reminds us of the genius that existed in those tracks and affirms that he is still within the boundary of the often sexual implicit artistry of R Kelly. Certainly a must have to reminds us of the greatness that exists in the artist. Tracks like "Love Letter", Love is and "How do i tell her" captures your attention immediately and reaffirm the soulfulness of the artist… Expand
  3. capricorn7nc
    Dec 20, 2010
    8
    I like this album. It shows that R. Kelly is a great singer, and that he doesn't have to be nasty to make songs that people will love. The songs are catchy and well-written. I think this is a good stocking stuffer for anyone who likes to listen to good music. I could listen to this all the way through on a road trip.
  4. timeformime
    Jan 6, 2011
    9
    R. Kelly said on his documentary that with this album he made a U-turn in time, going back to the 50's and 60's for inspiration. This is totally true, but even more importantly he made a shift from the insincere and cringe-inducing punch lines to sincere and clever romantic declarations. With his signature voice, feeling and clever writing applied to this subject, these tracks aren't cornyR. Kelly said on his documentary that with this album he made a U-turn in time, going back to the 50's and 60's for inspiration. This is totally true, but even more importantly he made a shift from the insincere and cringe-inducing punch lines to sincere and clever romantic declarations. With his signature voice, feeling and clever writing applied to this subject, these tracks aren't corny like those on all of his other albums because he treats us to something we don't hear too much of in today's music: love and devotion. Who would guess that romantic music would sell in today's world? It's a bold and admirable move from him as an artist, but it paid off big time, and here's for bringing the love songs back to the radio.

    Note: this album is not revolutionary. But it is immaculately arranged and performed and only 1 or 2 tracks are regularly skip-worthy, so I'd give it 8.5, which rounds up to 9 for Metacritic.    … Expand
  5. dz9
    Jul 30, 2011
    10
    There is no other way to put this album. It is amazing, one of the first albums I can hit play and listen to its entirety, R. Kelly has not put out a "great album" in a while, and on this one. You do kind of miss the sensual soul of his famous works, but he does mix it in with some of his songs and creates a good balance between the freaky and the mature. The Good: great vocals, amazingThere is no other way to put this album. It is amazing, one of the first albums I can hit play and listen to its entirety, R. Kelly has not put out a "great album" in a while, and on this one. You do kind of miss the sensual soul of his famous works, but he does mix it in with some of his songs and creates a good balance between the freaky and the mature. The Good: great vocals, amazing lyrics. The Bad: there is none. A true delivery for RnB fans and R. Kelly fans alike.… Expand

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
77

Generally favorable reviews - based on 17 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 14 out of 17
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 17
  3. Negative: 0 out of 17
  1. Uncut
    Sep 19, 2012
    60
    A cycle of slushy but well-written R&B ballads which pay tribute to his soul heroes. [Feb 2011, p.84]
  2. cokemachineglow
    Feb 23, 2011
    70
    Love Letter is more like a respite, a detour from the beaten path we should just be glad exists, and something to cling to when the next porridge of jizz and tears, The Return of 12 Play: Night of the Living Dead, drops wetly on our heads.
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  3. Los Angeles Times
    Jan 10, 2011
    88
    On Love Letter, he does away with the freakiness and lays down a full record of slow-simmered, grown-man emoting. And it feels like a wayward husband who's finally come home for good.
    Read full review
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