PUBLISHED CD REVIEWS; ALICIA KEYS, JORDIN SPARKS.....

[soulsister72]

 

CD reviews: Alicia Keys

 

11:02 AM CST on Tuesday, November 13, 2007

 

 

Alicia Keys

A

 

As I Am

(J Records)

A WOMAN'S WORTH: With two No. 1 albums and a shelf loaded with nine Grammys, 27-year-old Alicia Keys did what's considered unthinkable these days: She took an extended break from the public eye. Her re-entry is As I Am, another bold, beautiful and bodaciously soulful collection of songs that will certainly catch fire with those favoring intelligent and trend-resistant R&B.

UNBREAKABLE (CHAIN OF HITS): Ms. Keys' vocals are stellar and stylish, and her songs oscillate from boudoir-ready (the breathy torch ballad "Like You'll Never See Me Again" and the whimsical "The Thing About Love") to the empowering ("Superwoman," a sisterly feel-good anthem, and "Go Ahead," delivered with fire and attitude) and inspirational ("I Need You," "Tell You Something [Nana's Reprise]"). There is no overt hip-hop flavor, but she invigorates her classically trained approach with modernized echoes of Roberta Flack and Carole King. She even pushes the envelope with her tear-stained John Mayer collaboration, "Lessons Learned."

BOTTOM LINE: Ms. Keys is aging gracefully in the game, a winner among wannabes for remaining true to her vision.

Lorrie Irby Jackson

 

CD reviews: Jordin Sparks, Sebastian Bach, Hives

 

05:49 PM CST on Monday, November 19, 2007

 

 

Jordin Sparks

B

Jordin Sparks

(Jive)

JUST FOR THE RECORD: Jordin Sparks is the sixth winner of American Idol and the franchise's youngest as well; her self-titled solo CD was recorded between photo shoots, interviews and while she performed across the country with the other Season Six finalists. The result is solid, self-assured and, thanks to the star power behind the boards, stylishly produced (the Underdogs, Sean Garrett, Robbie Nevil, etc.). Ms. Sparks reminds devotees and detractors why she prevailed to begin with.

THIS IS HER NOW: The 17-year-old gets credit, first of all, for staying in her expected lane; there are no puffy pop confections or stilted, sex-starved pseudo-songs. That's a good thing, since Ms. Sparks' vocal ability would've been cheapened otherwise. She has the ability to beguile, as displayed in the soothing self-esteem ode "God Loves Ugly" and on the danceable ditty "Freeze" (which she co-wrote). The duet "No Air," featuring label mate Chris Brown, wasn't recorded as such, but the lilting, lovelorn delivery will have listeners believing otherwise.

BOTTOM LINE: Some of the tracks are too sterile and simplistic; a preschooler banging on a Fisher-Price keyboard could create a more compelling beat than what fuels "Young and In Love," for example. But more sophisticated songs such as "Now You Tell Me" and "Permanent Monday" offset those absurdities.

 

Lorrie Irby Jackson

 

[aquamarinemom]

Nov. 20, 2007 at 12:16 AM "a preschooler banging on a Fisher-Price keyboard could create a more compelling beat" - WOW but you have to give the real. Good job. All the American Idols have a tendency to run together for me. Do you think Jordin Sparks is going to last in the music industry or fall off like it seems Ruben has? 

[Lb128f]

Nov. 20, 2007 at 12:20 AM Thanks for the "news'...gotta' check these out!

[jakeandkymom]

Nov. 20, 2007 at 6:41 AM I'm a big fan of Alicia Keyes! She is so beautiful and her voice matches her perfectlly. She really is doing alot for keeping the music going in schools. I agree with her all the way in this.

[monique324]

Nov. 29, 2007 at 12:28 PM I need to get Alicis Key's new album!