Buy Alicia Keys - As I Am
Alicia Keys is a force to be reckoned with. She is undeniably one of the best performers of our generation. The power of her voice alone has the ability to bring a person to their knees. Her piano skills are beyond comprehension, yet at only 26 years old she has already proven herself.
At the age of 7, Keys began receiving formal piano training in her home state of New York. At 14, she was discovered by a manager. According to her Web site, she was playing everywhere from small clubs to street corners. This is true passion.
In 2001, she released "Songs in A Minor." The 16-track collection won acclaim from all angles. The album debuted at No. 1, sold more than 250,000 in its first week and picked up five Grammys.
Two years later, in 2003, Keys released "The Diary of Alicia Keys." This brought the hits "You Don't Know My Name" and "Karma." The follow-up was even more successful and earned Keys her sixth Grammy. She was well on her way to a bright future.
On Tuesday, Keys released "As I Am." This powerful album portrays a more mature, unapologetic side of Keys. As each track advances, it keeps you wanting more. You don't want to flip to the next song, you just want to live in that moment knowing that the next track will be just as glorious.
As soon as you put the album on you are sent back in time. If you close your eyes, you can almost see the smoke rings dancing around you as you sit in an old-time Harlem jazz club.
The first single, "No One," is the perfect marriage of Keys' wholehearted lyrics and flowing piano melodies. Her passion is felt strongly in this track as she sings, "I just want you close, where you can stay forever." When you are blessed enough to find this true love, you should not let anything get in the way. This is exactly what Keys is singing about.
Love, relationships and strength are all transparent themes in "As I Am." Keys' capability to pin down an array of emotions is played out brilliantly in all 14 tracks. By listening, not just hearing, you can tell she is in a great place in her life right now.
Keys also tackles the topic of having no regrets in the track "Like You'll Never See Me Again." The title is enough of a clue into what she is crooning about. Live your life - especially with love - like it is the last time you'll see that person. Simple piano chords and Keys' smoky voice drive the point home.
The album is fueled by creativity, sensuality, intuition and, most importantly, heart.
Keys doesn't measure her success by financial means. The collection of lessons learned and experiences gained speak much louder than money ever could.
"As I Am" offers something for both the young and the young at heart. Keys is wise and talented well beyond her years. This is one of the albums that you wait for. Its release has set a high precedent to which many other releases of this year will probably not be able to measure up.
Buy Alicia Keys - As I Am
01 As I Am (Intro)
02 Go Ahead
03 Superwoman
04 No One
05 Like You'll Never See Me Again
06 Lesson Learned (featuring John Mayer)
07 Wreckless Love
08 The Thing About Love
09 Teenage Love Affair
10 I Need You
11 Where Do We Go From Here
12 Prelude To A Kiss
13 Tell You Something (Nana's Reprise)
14 Sure Looks Good To Me
Alicia Keys - As I Am
