Untitled
by R. Kelly
  • Record Label: Jive
  • Release Date: Dec 1, 2009
Metascore
62

Generally favorable reviews - based on 15 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 15
  2. Mixed: 8 out of 15
  3. Negative: 0 out of 15
  1. NOW Magazine
    60
    At its best, Untitled sounds like a compilation of his previous work--a smooth-voiced crooner reading a sex thesaurus over R&B beats.
  2. Entertainment Weekly
    58
    Untitled's titles-- 'Pregnant,' 'Whole Lotta Kisses,' and (yes) 'Bangin' the Headboard'--don't do much to flip the script, or even write a new page.
  3. The A.V. Club
    58
    Kelly is still intermittently hilarious--if never intentionally so--but too much of Untitled feels generic, which is a curious flaw for a larger-than-life eccentric with the most, though not necessarily the best, personality in mainstream R&B.
  5. Chicago Tribune
    50
    Strings, guitars and keyboards add color in carefully measured doses. The songs never develop much beyond their initial verse and chorus and rarely bother with contrasting bridge sections, but that’s the point: No jarring changes to throw off the mood.
  6. Dot Music
    50
    Throughout most of Untitled, Kelly seems to have taken the worst aspects of "Trapped In The Closet"--it's over-the-head relentless melodies and lyrics--and decided that they'll work in a song until the repetition instead relegates it to wallpaper.
  7. Pitchfork
    48
    As with nearly every R. Kelly album, sex is Untitled's raison d'être. But too often here he trips over trends.
  8. Slant Magazine
    40
    The only thing that prevents Untitled from dissolving in its own moisture is Kelly's consummately unhinged personality.
  9. The Guardian
    40
    His voice is heavenly and the production cool and slinky, but all that really registers is the explicitness of the lyrics.

User Reviews

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User Score
7.9

Generally favorable reviews- based on 13 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 10 out of 13
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 13
  3. Negative: 1 out of 13
  1. dz9
    Jul 30, 2011
    6
    Maybe its hard to judge this album. If someone with lower caliber had released it, most of the problems would be permissible. Although, a manMaybe its hard to judge this album. If someone with lower caliber had released it, most of the problems would be permissible. Although, a man of this caliber is expecting is to reach for more. The album's content is unbalanced, it seems like the tracks were skitzophrenic, one song would be a club banger, while the next one would be about love. By themselves, were great, but due to the overall theme of the album... they all fell flat. There were definitely a few great songs off the album, but they were mixed in with some average and bland tracks that held all the titles down... even the great ones. The Good: great vocals, and R. Kelly did in-fact give his fans their fix of his sex music. The Bad: Bland overall production, and a few not so great lyrical performances… Full Review »
  2. joannaj
    Dec 4, 2009
    8
    This album does bring back the old r.kelly that we are used to , but there are some questionable songs on here. the best songs are echo, be This album does bring back the old r.kelly that we are used to , but there are some questionable songs on here. the best songs are echo, be my number #2, and elsewhere. I am glad that he has once again peaked my interest , and has awaken that school girl crush that i had on him all those 16 years ago. Its amazing what a couple of new songs will do.… Full Review »
  3. DavidStone
    Dec 3, 2009
    10
    Classic album look beyond the sex and you will see a true genius at work.
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