The Way It Is
by Keyshia Cole
  • Record Label: A&M
  • Release Date: Jun 21, 2005
User Score
6.2

Generally favorable reviews- based on 73 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 39 out of 73
  2. Mixed: 13 out of 73
  3. Negative: 21 out of 73

Review this album

  1. Your Score
    0 out of 10
    Rate this:
    • 10
    • 9
    • 8
    • 7
    • 6
    • 5
    • 4
    • 3
    • 2
    • 1
    • 0
    • 0
  1. Submit
  2. Check Spelling
view
per page
  1. miley
    Nov 11, 2015
    10
    Keyshia dona, amores. Não merece essa nota ridícula dada pelos usuários, what a shame. Vocês não sabem apreciar r&b, beijinhoooooossssssss gossip girl
  2. LisaK.
    May 17, 2008
    10
    I love this album i really do. I think that it is timeless u can never get tired of it and if u do just pop in "just like you". And the monica and mary comparison it's not necessary these women are all talented including ciara, beyonce, ashanti and mya. It's not fair 2 put them up against eachother.
  3. NickI
    Jul 10, 2007
    10
    This album is perfect from start to finish.
  4. LetoyaM
    Mar 13, 2007
    10
    I think everyone needs to cop dis shit right quick. it is off the mothafucken chain. dis shit is bananas man. and all that talk about monica and Mary dat shit is 4real these three women are the R&B Queens. give it up 4 my girls Keyshis, monica and Mary.
  5. StephanieT
    Mar 16, 2006
    2
    I honestly do not see what the fuss is all about....her voice is just too nasal for my tastes. I think she has true potential, she just needs to learn how to open up her throat when she sings.
  6. KarolynS
    Feb 24, 2006
    10
    Keyshia Cole's cd is one of the best I've heard in a long time. I listen to it everyday. I can very well relate to her lyrics. She has a beautiful and flawless voice. I wish her well in the music industry.
  7. VictoriaH
    Jan 23, 2006
    9
    This CD is awesome. I don't believe it's worth a ten. Keyshia Cole's voice is not really established; she's not able to do alot of things with it. She reminds me of a young MARY. There's so much passion and hurt in her voice that you can't but relate to her pain. Overall I love the CD and it's one those albums that you can play all the way through (which This CD is awesome. I don't believe it's worth a ten. Keyshia Cole's voice is not really established; she's not able to do alot of things with it. She reminds me of a young MARY. There's so much passion and hurt in her voice that you can't but relate to her pain. Overall I love the CD and it's one those albums that you can play all the way through (which is rare).… Expand
  8. TriciaB
    Dec 12, 2005
    10
    "If you haven't bought it, then you need to go get it." Keyshia Cole's album "The way it is" is in my opinion the best R&B album of the year. From the first to the last track you can either bop your head to soulful beats or sing your heart out right along with her. Her album brought me through a rough time I was having after a break up. She inspired me and helped me relize that "If you haven't bought it, then you need to go get it." Keyshia Cole's album "The way it is" is in my opinion the best R&B album of the year. From the first to the last track you can either bop your head to soulful beats or sing your heart out right along with her. Her album brought me through a rough time I was having after a break up. She inspired me and helped me relize that I wasn't the only one thats been heartbroken.… Expand
  9. jessical
    Dec 1, 2005
    10
    I think everyone needs to calm down there is no way she is as talented as monica but i do see were you guys are coming from she do lay that shit down with that voice. I think it is the best of 2005. that's my girl keysh.
  10. TonyR
    Oct 7, 2005
    10
    I thought this album was off the hook. It's crazy cool I love it. I think honestly this is the best R&B album since Monica's "After the storm". it has passion and energy, it could be emotional "(I just want it) to be over" or club friendly "Guess What". Keyshia cole is raw talent and has the voice that sends chills down you spin because it's so powerful. Overall it's I thought this album was off the hook. It's crazy cool I love it. I think honestly this is the best R&B album since Monica's "After the storm". it has passion and energy, it could be emotional "(I just want it) to be over" or club friendly "Guess What". Keyshia cole is raw talent and has the voice that sends chills down you spin because it's so powerful. Overall it's and all around 10. Straight up.… Expand
  11. jasonp
    Oct 2, 2005
    10
    took a chance and bought the album. i hadn't even heard any of the songs but i'm so glad i had. she has never been heard in the uk and i think it's really bad. she's has possibly the most real voice that's out there. so much of R&B is emotionless or way too sickly - this is real and very impressive. truly one of my great cds in my collection. 2005 is definately her year.
  12. anthonyr
    Sep 29, 2005
    10
    I agree, I think she is almost as talented as monica but she still has to work a bit more. I love the comparison though. I also think she is far more talented than other R&B singers like Ciara, Ashanti, Mya, Beyonce, Brandy and even Faith Evans. 10 All the way cause that's "The way it is"!! Also if you like Keyshia Cole's album then you should Get Monica's "After the storm"
  13. CourtneyJ
    Sep 28, 2005
    10
    I'm feeling all of her songs!! I won't compare her to anyone else because everyone has their own style. I'm going through some things right now and each song is like my journal....singing about my life as if she were standing right beside me! Thank You Keyshia
  14. monicar
    Sep 23, 2005
    10
    I think shes the next Monica. She's way better tham ashanti, beyonce, and ciara. I think she is the next monica cause monica is the next Mary J Blige.
  15. ShayR
    Sep 13, 2005
    10
    Best female album i've heard all year!! Perfect 10 all the way through..but my fav song is Love, thought you had my back!
  16. MichelleD
    Sep 12, 2005
    10
    I love the cd. The lyrics are powerful and meaningful and her voice has Mary's pain!
  17. NivB
    Aug 16, 2005
    6
    While it has it's moments, :The Way It Is" is a rather bland album. Keyhsia Cole suffers from what a lot of new artists go through: great vocals, amazing talent - but cliched productions and radio-friendly songs, rather than talent-proving songs and a use to a trademark voice.
  18. MininaenaeBob
    Aug 13, 2005
    9
    I wasn't surprised when I listened to it. I expected to be every little bit of greatness that it was. I thought this c.d. would go at least platinum, but it's the people who didn't buy this album's loss. She writes all of her stuff which is really great. The only complaint that I have is that she uses pro-tools, which isn't good. I know she can sing really well I wasn't surprised when I listened to it. I expected to be every little bit of greatness that it was. I thought this c.d. would go at least platinum, but it's the people who didn't buy this album's loss. She writes all of her stuff which is really great. The only complaint that I have is that she uses pro-tools, which isn't good. I know she can sing really well live, as you can tell by AOL sessions. Anyway, it really was a very great c.d. My favorite songs are (I just want it) To be Over, I changed my Mind, Love I thought you Had my Back, I should've Cheated, Guess What?, Love is a little overrated, but still okay. You've Changed, Superstar, We Could Be is pretty good, Never, I don't really like Down and Dirty. Oh yeah, and Situations is really good too. So I guess you could say I like just about every song. My favorite is You've Changed.… Expand
  19. TONIAP
    Aug 7, 2005
    10
    This is the best album I have purchased this year. This girl has real talent and anybody that says this album is not a 10 needs there ears checked. I disagree with the E online rating who ever rated this album needs to be fired.
  20. minrock
    Jul 29, 2005
    10
    Reminiscent of a young Mary, early SWV -- so real and amazing. Her voice is a clear bell. She's a pro chanteuse with all the accouterments of an official fly girl. If you like it slow and beautiful you can't miss "Love" or "We Could Be" -- these don't come around often.....
  21. janetr
    Jul 25, 2005
    10
    She's a true diamond in the rough and if this is the beginning then I can't wait for her next lp.
  22. OmarN
    Jul 25, 2005
    10
    The best urban/ r+b female album this year, handsdown!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
  23. JustinH
    Jul 24, 2005
    10
    Fantastic album!!! All the way through!! No complaints!!

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
75

Generally favorable reviews - based on 9 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 9
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 9
  3. Negative: 0 out of 9
  1. E! Online
    67
    Sadly, The Way It Is never quite lives up to the album it could have been.
    Read full review
  2. AllMusic
    80
    Cole's voice is sweet and ringing, like a wiser version of Lil' Mo who has had to weather a tremendous amount of drama.
    Read full review
  3. Blender
    60
    Dry and straightforward disco-soul. [Jul 2005, p.116]
See all critic reviews »