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Rating:
There is something magical about Alicia Keys, something that few others have today: talent. Yet in this "The Element Of Freedom," it's not used much. To be clear, it's a good product, but from an artist who has managed to produce albums of the caliber of "Songs of A Minor" and "The Diary of Alicia Keys," one would expect more. "As I Am," the previous work, had already shown signs of personality decline, signs that have become even more evident in this "Element of Freedom."
Many tracks are filled with electronics that do not suit Keys well. Electronics that sacrifice the soul talent of this artist. In fact, the most striking pieces are the more "stripped down" ones. The best, in my opinion, is "Empire State Of Mind 2," where Alicia brings out her talent, and her voice is accompanied only by the piano (except towards the end) and is quite moving. In contrast, songs like "Try To Sleeping With A Broken Heart" take a back seat, where it seems that a synthesizer created the song instead of Keys: not very striking and especially not very personal. Not to mention the duet with Beyoncé: pleasant yes, but it would have been better in an album by the former Destiny's Child member, because it sounds much more like a Beyoncé track than an Alicia one.... In short, an album that at times engages and moves, and at times leaves you dry-mouthed and disappointed. I am a bit puzzled, I hope Alicia returns to the levels of the first two albums. And if the two singles released are doing poorly, it means I'm not the only one hoping so...
Tracklist Lyrics Samples and Videos
03 Doesn't Mean Anything ()
Used to dream of being a millionaire, without a care
But if I\\\'m seeing my dreams and you aren\\\'t there
\\\'Cause it\\\'s over, that just won\\\'t be fair
Darling, rather be a poor woman living on the street, no food to eat
\\\'Cause I don\\\'t want no pie if I have to cry
\\\'Cause it\\\'s over when you said goodbye
All at once, I had it all
But it doesn\\\'t mean anything
Now that you\\\'re gone
From above, seems I had it all
But it doesn\\\'t mean anything
Since you\\\'re gone
Now I see myself through different eyes, it\\\'s no surprise
Being alone will make you realize
When it\\\'s over, all in love is fair
I shoulda been there
I shoulda been there
I shoulda, shoulda
All at once, I had it all
But it doesn\\\'t mean anything
Now that you\\\'re gone
From above, seems I had it all
But it doesn\\\'t mean anything
Since you\\\'re gone
I know I pushed you away, what can I do that would save our love
Take these material things
They don\\\'t mean nothing, it\\\'s you that I want
All at once, I had it all
But it doesn\\\'t mean anything
Now that you\\\'re gone
From above, seems I had it all
But it doesn\\\'t mean anything
Since you\\\'re gone
I shoulda been there
I shoulda been there
I shoulda, shoulda
All at once, I had it all
But it doesn\\\'t mean anything
Now that you\\\'re gone
From above, seems I had it all
But it doesn\\\'t mean anything
Since you\\\'re gone
15 Stolen Moments ()
Remembering the days when our love began
Thinkin of a million ways
To escape and be with you
But reality wasn't just you and i
It was long drawn out days and lonely nights
Dream about you
I keep dreaming about you
And I'm dreaming about when you would say
Chorus
Let me take you to another place
Where nothing ever seems to matter
It's just you and me
We can take flight like a thief in the night
Stolen moments with you (o0ohhh o0o0oh)
Verse 2
Destiny didn't have such a simple plan (simple plan)
I was just a girl and you a young man
How could age define
Something so divine (so divine)
Can this even be real or just exist in my mind
Dream about you
I keep dreaming about you
And I'm dreaming about what you would say
[Chorus]
[Piano breakdown]
Dream about you
I keep dreaming about you
When I'm dreamin and waiting for the day
When noone and nothing else takes up our time
Finally you're only mine
Each and everyday
I'd walk with you right by my side
But instead we have to hide
Sneak around and lie
Just to spend time alone
This lovin is a crime
I'd rather do the time
And leave the world behind
[Chorus]
[Piano breakdown 2]
Let's get away
Let's get away
oooh ooh
we can get away
we can get away
ohhh ohhh
Let's get away
Let's get away
ohhh ohhh
we can get away
we can get away
ohhh ohhh
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Other reviews
By mrkarma
"The first two singles have completely flopped, partly because the first track lacks originality."
"If 'As I Am' could have been considered a misstep, 'Freedom' confirms that we have lost a valuable artist once again for the god of money."
