The Diary of Alicia Keys

 Review

Common Sense Media says

This CD sounds like liquid silk.
greenON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age.
yellowPAUSE: Know your child; some content
may not be right for some kids.
redOFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age.
not for kidsNOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age.

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Quality
 
Sometimes media can be age appropriate but a real waste of time. Our star rating assesses the media's overall quality.

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Parents say

Kids say

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this easy-on-the-ears pop album displays Alicia Keys' vocal talents beautifully. There's a bit of heavy breathing and innuendo, but mostly there's a lot of very good singing. In the role-model department, young girls could do a whole lot worse.


What's the story?

Alicia Keys isn't above a gimmicky moment or two on THE DIARY OF ALICIA KEYS. The thing is, even the gimmicks work on this lovely album. There's a long spoken section on "You Don't Know My Name," for example, in which Keys plays the part of a waitress ("You know, the one with the braids?") taking a huge risk and calling one of her regular customers for a date. A silly conceit, but it ends up sounding pretty real when she fesses up that even though the restaurant manager will "be trippin' talkin' about we gotta use water," she makes this guy's hot chocolate with milk and cream because she thinks he's sweet. We've all been there, in that heart-pounding rejection-risking moment, and there's nothing wrong with sharing such feelings of vulnerability once in a while.


Is it any good?

 

The music and messages that Keys delivers are of her usual high standards. In "Slow Down," she urges her lover -- and perhaps herself, too -- to take things a little slower. A little contrived, with soft, sexy vocals playing against a classic makeout-room musical arrangement, but the message is there, loud and clear, for girls to hear. Alicia Keys' stunning vocals, set against exquisite piano interludes and dramatic string arrangements, make this diary a true keepsake.


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What families can talk about

Families can talk about creating powerful music while keeping it clean. Do lyrics need to have swearing or sexual references to stand out?


This review was written by Kathi Kamen Goldmark
Adult
April 9, 2008
 
I love her music!
I have to say, Alicia Keys has really made a name for herself-not in a bad way though. Her amazing talent is for any age! I would recommend this to anyone who loves great piano playing and singing. Truly an uplifting album!

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Adult
April 9, 2008
 
It's Deep!
Since her musical breakthrough, Alicia Keys has been one of my favorite artists. She has a style that is uniquely her own, a voice to die for, and the soulful lyrics that speaks to you. For theses reasons, she has reinvented soul for the hip-hop, R&B, and rap generation. However, the issues about love, rejection, and etc. are directed to serve as a voice for a mature audience. While there is nothing offensive about her music, I think you gotta be a little older to understand and appreciate The Diary of Alicia Keys.

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Teen, 18 years old
April 9, 2008
 

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Teen, 14 years old
April 9, 2008
 
I love this song
This song is the best and Alicia Keys is a very good singer

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Teen, 14 years old
May 3, 2010
 
Best album of all time
This is my fave album of all TIME!!!! Make sure you listen to Diary, You Don't Know My Name & Wake Up. AWESOME!

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Teen, 15 years old
January 10, 2010
 
Perfect 4 all ages
Alicia Keys did a good job on this CD. This CD is beautiful and relaxing. The point of this CD was to show people how love is before money and how you should never put money before the one you love. Alicia Keys voice is very engaging and helped me calm down.

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Adult
April 9, 2008
 
Alicia Keys' "The Diary of Alicia Keys" is a very soothing CD. It teaches us lessons like you dont need to be rich or own everything as long as you are with the person you love. I loved the way she puts lessons in her songs and makes them seem as if they werent lessons at all.

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Adult
April 9, 2008
 
SHE IS SOO INSPIRING!!!!
III LLLOOOVVEE ITTTT!!!!!

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Teen, 16 years old
February 18, 2009
 

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Adult
April 9, 2008
 

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This review was written by Kathi Kamen Goldmark
Artist:Alicia Keys
Release date:December 2, 2003
Label:J Records
Genre:R&B
Parental advisory:No

This review was written by Kathi Kamen Goldmark
 

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About our rating system
ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age.
PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids.
OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age.
Learning ratings
BEST: Really engaging, great learning approach.
GOOD: Pretty engaging, good learning approach.
FAIR: Somewhat engaging, OK learning approach.
NOT FOR LEARNING: Not recommended for learning.

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