Unfortunately, some think that R&B is what most of her contemporaries are doing. But it isn't. It's more pop/hip-hop. And that's okay, I have many of those CDs. But Alicia's CD is true rhythm & blues with a hint of jazz. It's what R&B used to sound like when I was growing up, and I'm 29. Her CD is current, but with a classic vibe.

If you want to listen and LEARN about the kind of music the real R&B Kings and Queens used to make, then I would start by buying The Diary of Alicia Keys. She's the closest thing without having to pull out the old vinyl. Particularly, if you're younger and can't groove with the older stuff, or just haven't had much exposure to R&B, then definitely give her new CD a try.

Warning: If you're hoping for Beyonce or Ashanti, which I happen to like, then you will be disappointed. So, I would keep an open mind and not let recent music trends influence your opinion. Alicia has a lot of talent. If you listen closely, you'll find it.


Good, not great   December 10, 2003
6 out of 6 found this review helpful

Alicia Keys is an amazing talent. No doubts there.

However, I feel that neither of her albums have yet to fully grasp all of her potential. On this latest work as well as the last, the entire album's supported on two to three solid tracks. The rest still seems to be filler, a la flavor of the month pop. Alicia Keys is more than this and that is why I only give her latest three stars.

Until Keys develops an entire album that is dymanic and exciting from start to finish, she's yet to show her stuff. See Outkast, for example. That's potential that's tapped.

I would also like to see more piano infusion. She prides herself as a piano prodigy, but many of the tracks are void of or lacking enough of the instrument.


Go 'head girl!   December 6, 2003
Roxanne (USA)
5 out of 5 found this review helpful

I admit, I was one of the people who was calling Alicia "overrated!" after she received all the hype for her debut, SONGS IN 'A' MINOR. I thought it was overhyped and overrarted, and I still do. But she surely made a fan out of me with this album. When I first heard 'You Don't Know My Name' I was in love. I wasn't too sure about buying the album b/c I didn't want to be duped again, but I did it and I'm very glad I did because you can tell she had more creative reign on this album, and she is coming into her own. Every song on a scale of 1-10:
1.Harlem's Nocturne [Intro] - 10 (Great intro,even the name of it is beautiful.)
2.Karma-9 (This song has a phat beat with gorgeous strings in the background. It's a club banger which is something I am not used to hearing from her)
3.Heartburn-10 (This Timbaland produced track is definitely one of the highlights of the album. It is very old school, it reminds you of the Supremes and the lyrics are great)
4.If I Were Your Woman/Walk On By- 9 (At first I did not like this one because it was not as good as the original, but after listening a few times you can see she puts her own stamp on it and it turns into a nice club joint)
5.You Don't Know My Name - 10 (The first single, the thing that made me buy the album. Not much to say except it is a beautiful love song)
6.If I Ain't Got You- 10 (This is a fiery blues joint. Alicia's iano playing is great on this, and this is probably her best vocal performance ever)
7.Diary-10 (Probably my favorite track on the album. The melody is gorgeous and the vocals are so seductive)
8.Dragon Days-9 (This is another track that took a while to get used to. I thought it was wierd at first but now I love it. It's very funky)
9.Wake Up-10 (This is a Motown style song through and through. The beackground vocals are very nice on this. You can tell how influenced she was by that period)
10.So Simple-8 (This song is pretty good. I like the voice distortion, it's very Kanye-esque. It's a nice listen, but nothing too special.)
11.When You Really Love Someone-10 (This is classic Alicia doing the sound that made her. Excellent song, nice lyrics.)
12.Feelin' Me, Feelin' You-8 (This is a nice interlude. I love how her interludes are music and not silly convos.)
13.Slow Down-6 (This is my least favorite song on the album. It sounds like a Mary J. Blige throwaway. Why this was included I don't know.)
14.Samsonite Man-9 (This is a pretty mellow song. Good lyrics about a man who is a rolling stone)
15.Nobody Not Really-10 (Why oh why wasn't this a whole song?!? It is so beautiful, it is reminiscent of Marvin Gaye. Alicia definitely needs to do more of this music on her next album which I am already looking forward to.)

So there you have it. An excellent album that I was *quite* surprised with, and I look forward to hearing the next one.