Love Letter
by R. Kelly
  • Record Label: Jive
  • Release Date: Dec 14, 2010
Metascore
77

Generally favorable reviews - based on 17 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 14 out of 17
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 17
  3. Negative: 0 out of 17
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  1. Uncut
    Sep 19, 2012
    60
    A cycle of slushy but well-written R&B ballads which pay tribute to his soul heroes. [Feb 2011, p.84]
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  2. American Songwriter
    Jan 4, 2011
    60
    After a listen to Love Letter, it's clear that only a true maestro can pull off a line like that. Let's leave such proclamations to the man himself.
  3. Slant Magazine
    Dec 13, 2010
    40
    Kelly's default mode throughout Love Letter is needy like a Salvation Army bell-ringer.

User Reviews

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User Score
8.4

Universal acclaim- based on 16 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 15 out of 16
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 16
  3. Negative: 1 out of 16
  1. dz9
    Jul 30, 2011
    10
    There is no other way to put this album. It is amazing, one of the first albums I can hit play and listen to its entirety, R. Kelly has notThere is no other way to put this album. It is amazing, one of the first albums I can hit play and listen to its entirety, R. Kelly has not put out a "great album" in a while, and on this one. You do kind of miss the sensual soul of his famous works, but he does mix it in with some of his songs and creates a good balance between the freaky and the mature. The Good: great vocals, amazing lyrics. The Bad: there is none. A true delivery for RnB fans and R. Kelly fans alike.… Full Review »
  2. timeformime
    Jan 6, 2011
    9
    R. Kelly said on his documentary that with this album he made a U-turn in time, going back to the 50's and 60's for inspiration. This isR. Kelly said on his documentary that with this album he made a U-turn in time, going back to the 50's and 60's for inspiration. This is totally true, but even more importantly he made a shift from the insincere and cringe-inducing punch lines to sincere and clever romantic declarations. With his signature voice, feeling and clever writing applied to this subject, these tracks aren't corny like those on all of his other albums because he treats us to something we don't hear too much of in today's music: love and devotion. Who would guess that romantic music would sell in today's world? It's a bold and admirable move from him as an artist, but it paid off big time, and here's for bringing the love songs back to the radio.

    Note: this album is not revolutionary. But it is immaculately arranged and performed and only 1 or 2 tracks are regularly skip-worthy, so I'd give it 8.5, which rounds up to 9 for Metacritic.    … Full Review »
  3. rollingstone82
    Jan 3, 2011
    8
    I am amazed. I didn't think that R. Kelly could pull something like this off so good. I loved all his old stuff from 12 Play and R. But II am amazed. I didn't think that R. Kelly could pull something like this off so good. I loved all his old stuff from 12 Play and R. But I didn't think much of all his new stuff. But this is something else. Shows that R. Kelly doesn't have to be explicit to be R. Kelly. Great stuff.… Full Review »
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