Alicia Keys: Here Vinyl LP

If you're looking for "We Are Here" It isn't on this cd. As a matter of fact, the cd has no title, just Alicia's face.It's her most biographical music although songs titled "The Beginning" and "The Gospel"do sound as if they'rerelated to the Bible,they aren't. She seems to be straddling the line between her personal musical journey andthe tension that most artists feel between giving your heart into your work and working to please a very ficklepublic without losing your own sense of self.Most of the songs are geared towards indentifying with Odysey's "New York City Girl" of the 1980's who'snow a domestic partner,mother,and maybe even grandmother. Trying to keep herself together and herchildren alive.Which is why "We Are Here" is such perfect fit but a glarring omission.I'm happy with what the cd has but annoyed by what it does not have.

I have always loved the idea of Alicia Keys, but I haven't always loved her albums. Singles shine, but until this album, I haven't felt a full concept or sound or person. One could argue that the sonics differ etc, but that's not my point - it's that HERE is clear and clearly Alicia Keys' most personal and therefore touching album. It's gripping, so long as you can handle reality. Brava, Ms. Keys! I'ma keep spinning this one for a long time.

I was a bit disappointed with this album. Her previous work was absolutely outstanding. I have a feeling this was a little rushed to coincide with her appearance on The Voice. Nothing on this release is memorable. That is so surprising considering all of the hits she has had in the past. I still love her. I hope she puts a little more work into the next release.

This is an awesome CD that shows the evolution of the artist as well as the musicianship of the bandmates. Topical and insightful with snippets of poetry all tied together into a coherent theme of album structure. One of her best efforts and I have all of her music!

One of Alicia's best. Different from her earliest and most recognized work. She is truly a great artist who continues to evolve.

This music is raw and real. This woman is a healer. From the depths of despair to the heights of joy. It is Life itself.

Ok if you like Rap. So, my wife wanted Alicia Keys' latest because she loves Alicia and her life story. But ... we are retired seniors and Rap isn't the wife's style, so she only likes 2 tracks.

Minus the interludes, this album is surprisingly short in fact. "Work On It" is a fabulous song, and most of the others I also enjoy such as "Holy War" and "Blended Family". A solid 4 Star album - I'd expect her to change direction a little for her next effort, hopefully in a 50-55 minute timeframe.

Alicia Keys - HereI discovered this album on a recent long-haul flight and it had an instant 'Wow' impact. This, I thought then, is an album of jaw dropping brilliance. I owned a copy on CD within a few days but this review is largely what I wrote on first hearing it from beginning to end. For what it's worth, I am a white, Anglo-Saxon man in my early fifties who just happens to have a deep and long held love of and interest in music. Before posting this review I have explored those written of Alicia Keys previous albums. No doubt I am behind the curve in acknowledging her talents and output but whether or not you are familiar with her music, bear in mind that 'Here' is, I read, her first studio album in six years; so let's start over.'Here' is an immediate anthology in it's own right. It is at once a statement on life and circumstance and a musical journey, so much so that I do not intend to risk insult by highlighting by name any one of it's constituent tracks to the detriment of another; it is simply too good and far more than the sum of its' parts. You should , I suggest, discover and experience it as whole, from start to finish and without distraction.I openly admit and make no claim to be any worthy critic, connoisseur of or even listener to contemporary RnB, in fact a great deal of it leaves me cold with it's commercial contrivance. Furthermore, I only have one previous album by Alicia Keys - 'Songs in A minor'. 'Here' is different and in my view, better. At the risk of listing superlatives, it is observational, inspired, mature; cerebral and stunning. You sense it from the opening bars of the first track and it delivers throughout. The only disappointment is that ultimately, almost unexpectedly, it ends. 'Well', I suppose we are to consider, 'Ain't that just how it is?'.Alicia Keys' musical skill and creative ability is well known and rightly acclaimed. With 'Here' though, we find a work of extraordinary breadth, depth and (I cannot help but use another superlative), sheer brilliance. Musically this work covers more bases than the listener has reason or right to expect. Surely, too, Alicia Keys has known, studied, rejoiced in, reflected on, experimented with and now, here interpreted a wealth of musical styles and genres in creating this collection. Hear influence (if you wish), from such greats as Nina Simone, Sam Cooke, Gladys Knight and Jimmy Reed, all intertwined with the best of Keys' own earlier work and (surely) her newly inspired creativity. Yet there is not a single track that feels out of place with any other on the album.Whether or not you get the epiphanic rush of joy I experienced when I first heard this work, I hope you will agree that albums like this simply do not come along very often - in a year or even every couple of years. This is far more than pop; this is far more than RnB, or Soul. This is Rhythm And Blues And Jazz And Soul. This is musically and creatively outstanding and I for one predict that it will come to be regarded as a magnum opus of an album.Richard Pembridge

I had to wait and listen to this before I could comment, this is a superior piece of work from Alicia Keys. I have 2 other CD's of hers but this is just monumental, emotional, intelligent music from a highly respected musician who I feel is often overlooked and under estimated. Its Raw, different but so accessible. It's sat on top of the CD player since it arrived and I can say this wil be one of my favorites for a long time to come.

Alicia Keys Fan from day one and will ALWAYS buy her albums. However, since Alicia has become more conscious it took me a little longer to understand and appreciate the content of her lyrics and songs. I give this album 3 stars as opposed to 4 or 5 because i was expecting a few soul classics which Alicia is notorious for. I appreciate her growth and am growing with her.

I'm a massive fan of Alicia i have all her Albums and this new album is just so engaging! its not my usual style of music! but this is probably one of my favourite albums by her next to "As I Am". My favourite track is probably " In Common" her voice just sounds so good on that track!

Went off other reviews without hearing it first, that'll teach me just not my thing not so music as bits of chit interspersed with music, might be great for some bit I'm not so impressed.