Advanced Search Beta »
Basic Search Fields
ie8 fix
The Element Of Freedom - Alicia Keys
  • Band Name: Alicia Keys
  • Record Label: J
  • Release Date: Dec 15, 2009
The Element Of Freedom Image
Metascore
67 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 16 Critics What's this?

User Score
7.4 out of 10

Generally favorable reviews- based on 47 Ratings

Your Score
10 out of 10
Rate this:
  • Summary: The Grammy-winning singer-songwriter releases her fourth studio album.

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 9 out of 16
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 16
  3. Negative: 1 out of 16
  1. Entertainment Weekly
    91
    Keys' material is ultimately about the slow reveal, not the instant blitz. If Element asks for patience, it also earns it.
  2. Rolling Stone
    60
    On The Element of Freedom, the production compresses her voice, making it sound a lot less like her, especially on the ballads.
  3. PopMatters
    30
    The Element of Freedom is just really well-made elevator music. It's boring, soulless, and pretentious.

See all 16 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 14 out of 19
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 19
  3. Negative: 3 out of 19
  1. Evol
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. As an album The Element Of Freedom it's not great but has some perfect musics. In my opinion LOVE IS BLIND, TRY SLEEPING WITH A BROKEN HEART and UN-THINKABLE (I'M READY) are perfect songs, that can balance some duds like Love is my disease, Like the sea and This bed.… Expand
    • 1 of 1 users said yes
  2. Vanessa
    5
    As I Am was GREAT, even The Diary of Alicia Keys. The Element of Freedom...not so much. I only like two songs on this album. I'm kind of disappointed.… Expand
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  3. Nicky
    1
    This is by far Keys' worst album, it's not very coherent, and the line-up is totally ruined by one song - Put It In A Love Song, an up-tempo Beyonce-ish song, featuring, no joke, Beyonce. Alicia shouldn't have collaborated with Beyonce, not that she isn't good, but they are so different musically and artistically, that you know, for sure, they just did it for publicity. Miss Keys' is not a publicity woman, she is far more, so shame Alicia, shame!… Expand
    • 1 of 1 users said yes

See all 19 User Reviews

Related Articles

  1. 6 Picks, Movies, Music

    This Week in Metacritic: Did You Hear About Avatar?

    This Week in Metacritic: Did You Hear About Avatar? Image
    Published: December 17, 2009
    Our quick roundup of the newest releases in movies, music, games and TV found at Metacritic.com for the week of 12/14 – 12/18.
    More »

Recommended Products

  1. As I Am - Alicia Keys

    • Release Date: Nov 13, 2007
    As I Am Image

  2. Songs In A Minor - Alicia Keys

    • Release Date: Jun 5, 2001
    Songs In A Minor Image

  3. The Diary Of Alicia Keys - Alicia Keys

    • Release Date: Dec 2, 2003
    The Diary Of Alicia Keys Image

Current Music Releases

Full List »
  1. Tago Mago [40th Anniversary Edition] - Can
    Metascore: 99
  2. Live in Europe 1967: Best of the Bootleg, Vol. 1 - Miles Davis
    Metascore: 99
  3. Siamese Dream [Deluxe Edition] - Smashing Pumpkins
    Metascore: 96
  4. The SMiLE Sessions - The Beach Boys
    Metascore: 96
  5. National Treasures: The Complete Singles - Manic Street Preachers
    Metascore: 95
  6. Satan Is Real/Handpicked Songs 1955-1962 - The Louvin Brothers
    Metascore: 94
  7. Achtung Baby [Super Deluxe] - U2
    Metascore: 93
  8. Some Girls [Deluxe Edition] - The Rolling Stones
    Metascore: 93
  9. Pull Up Some Dust and Sit Down - Ry Cooder
    Metascore: 92
  10. Unto the Locust - Machine Head
    Metascore: 91
  11. Quadrophenia [The Director's Cut] - The Who
    Metascore: 90
  12. Rio [Live] - Keith Jarrett
    Metascore: 90
  13. What Were You Hoping For? - Van Hunt
    Metascore: 90
  14. Bitch Magnet - Bitch Magnet
    Metascore: 90
  15. Charity Starts at Home - Phonte
    Metascore: 89
  16. Nevermind [20th Anniversary Edition] - Nirvana
    Metascore: 89
  17. Journey of the Deep Sea Dweller, Vol. 1 - Drexciya
    Metascore: 88
  18. Bad as Me - Tom Waits
    Metascore: 88
  19. The Singles - Goldfrapp
    Metascore: 88
  20. Undun - The Roots
    Metascore: 88
All Current Music »