Songs In A Minor - Alicia Keys
Songs In A Minor Image
Metascore

Generally favorable reviews - based on 10 Critics What's this?

User Score

Universal acclaim- based on 30 Ratings

  • Summary: This is the smash-hit debut album from 20-year-old singer-songwriter (and classically-trained pianist) Alicia Keys.
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 10
  2. Negative: 0 out of 10
  1. 100
    Fusing R&B, pop, jazz, blues, throwback soul--hell, you name it--Keys delivers grandstand ballads (like the single "Fallin' "), midtempo music, diary-worthy lyrics and feminist funk as if they were all as uncomplicated as scales.
  2. Her aching sincerity’s another major plus; that she can get away with Caged Bird’s Stevie Wonder-isms and Fallin’s near plagiarism of James Brown’s It’s A Man’s World speaks volumes.
  3. Like Erykah Badu and other retro-soul artists that have followed her, Alicia Keys is trying to redefine modern R&B by injecting it with jazz and blues. In Songs in A Minor, Keys accomplishes her goal with poise and skill.
  4. The singing is more mature than the self-consciously retro arrangements and sometimes thin sonics.

See all 10 Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 11
  2. Negative: 1 out of 11
  1. MattyD
    10
    This is one of the best albums of our era. Alicia Keys delivers an amazing mix of R&B, Blues and Soul on one of the best debut albums of all time, one which showcases the amazing talent which we have discovered, songwriting to dream of and an ability unseen by her contemporaries. This album is the album of our generation, and it all comes from the place where it hits the most: the heart. Expand
  2. YeseniaC
    10
    This album is no doubt a masterpiece, full of promise. It keeps you wanting more from Miss Keys. I've listened to it a million times and can never get tired of it. Anyone who appreciates Real music will love this album. She possesses the power to make you sing, cry, smile, reminisce and relate. Alicia does what some artists fail to do, and that is to feel what she sings. Beautiful! Expand
  3. 5
    When its good, it can be occasionally captivating however the record relies heavily on its production, without which a lot of the material just saunters along without ever saying much. For me, it's a record that is overrated and forced too much of the time. That said, there are a number of tracks worth getting hold of such as "Falling" and "Girlfriend". As I've already mentioned though, without the backing of major production this wouldn't be half the record. Expand
  4. FelipeR
    4
    It´s not so good, but Is´nt bad

See all 11 User Reviews