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Unplugged Image
Metascore
65

Generally favorable reviews - based on 14 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.6

Universal acclaim- based on 45 Ratings

  • Summary: The singer's not-quite-acoustic MTV session includes two new songs and collaborations with Common, Mos Def, Damian Marley and Adam Levine.

Top Track

If I Ain't Got You
Some people live for the fortune Some people live just for the fame Some people live for the power, yeah Some people live just to play the game Some... See the rest of the song lyrics
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 14
  2. Negative: 0 out of 14
  1. She might be unplugged--but she's still electrifying.
  2. Entertainment Weekly
    83
    For once, Unplugged largely leaves Keys' runaway careerism in the dressing room, where it belongs. [14 Oct 2005, p.148]
  3. Billboard
    80
    This self-assured, illuminating "MTV Unplugged" performance underscores Keys' boundless passion for her craft. [15 Oct 2005]
  4. I’m definitely recommending Unplugged--with reservations, but it’s still a recommendation--but damn, I just wish the fun Keys seems to have on stage would translate more clearly to record.
  5. There's no sense of storytelling or momentum to her performances: she starts the song in one place and stays there riding in circles until the end.
  6. An abbreviated "You Don't Know My Name," truly a producer's creation, falls flat here, and she treats covers of Gladys Knight's "If I Was Your Woman" and "Every Little Bit Hurts" like vocal auditions and not the blank canvases of an interpretive artist.
  7. Uncut
    40
    Keys hasn't the charisma to indulge in the inter-song banter here, which breaks up any soulful flow that might develop despite her sharp, hectoring vocals. [Jan 2006, p.108]

See all 14 Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 15 out of 16
  2. Negative: 0 out of 16
  1. RegisC
    Oct 15, 2005
    10
    This is the best Alicia Keys album I've heard. I especially loved Streets of New York. I loved the way how her band was smart enough to This is the best Alicia Keys album I've heard. I especially loved Streets of New York. I loved the way how her band was smart enough to use instruments to imitate street life. Expand
  2. krystalb
    Oct 13, 2005
    10
    I dont know what all those magazines reviews were about, but this album is amazing!! its not supposed to be a cd with new songs-she never I dont know what all those magazines reviews were about, but this album is amazing!! its not supposed to be a cd with new songs-she never said that. its a wonderful cd of her old songs revisited. this is a cd a true a.keys fan can appreciate. Expand
  3. DavidC
    Sep 15, 2006
    10
    This is an amazing album. Alicia has the most beautiful voice I've ever heard. She shows strengh and love, nothing else is needed.
  4. SuzanneA
    Oct 28, 2005
    10
    If I could give this album a higher score then 10, I would. Alicia amazes audiences yet again, this time without the help of studio aided If I could give this album a higher score then 10, I would. Alicia amazes audiences yet again, this time without the help of studio aided effects. She belts out the songs and beautifully accomanies herself on the piano. Even though the album features many of her hits that have previously been released, she remixes them so drastically that its like a whole new take of your favorite Alicia classics like "Fallin," "How Come You Don't Call Me?" and even throwing in a New York jazz club sounding version of the Nas song (featuring Ms. Keys in its original release) "Streets of New York." Overall, this cd is a perchase well worth the money. Expand
  5. michaelat
    Nov 12, 2005
    10
    i always like alicia's music no matter what it is. it;s always good music.
  6. Aug 10, 2011
    10
    tudo nesse disco e perfeito: afinação, arranjos, desenvoltura, tudo! todas as cantoras tinham que ter essatudo nesse disco e perfeito: afinação, arranjos, desenvoltura, tudo! todas as cantoras tinham que ter essa qualidade de keys ao vivo. talvez ela seja a melhor cantora da decada passada. Expand
  7. CesarG
    Oct 30, 2005
    6
    I bet this was a good concert to watch, but it is definitely is no good to listen. Not Alicia's best.

See all 16 User Reviews