Alicia Keys` “The Elements of Freedom”-Two Star Effort

The Element of Freedom, the new album of Alicia Keys, was just released on December 11th. Alicia says about it: “It feels emotional and vulnerable but there`s also a kind of freedom in it.” The record immediately went to number 2 on the Billboard 200, selling 417,000 copies in the first week alone. These are a collection of R & B pop songs with a generous use of electronic keyboards and generic drum machine.

How It Feels To Fly is a nice ballad; Alicia has a beautiful voice and puts some cagey twists and turns in her voice. The production behind her sounds is a little thin, mixed homogenously you see. Maybe this was done on purpose? Doesn`t Mean Anything is the single and the best song on the record. Something about riches and fame mean nothing when you lose your honey. Bass has an actual pulse on this track.

Upon a first listening of The Element of Freedom, it seems a bit generic and uninspired. The ending of Doesn`t Mean Anything is simply an empty electronic drum track. Why? The drum track on Try Sleeping With A Broken Heart is intrusive, irritating and monotonous…The songwriting is mediocre here. It`s not a good sign when you can`t wait until the song is over with. I better check out of this hotel before I`m tarred & feathered…good musak for La Quinta Inn though…

Musicians Love Twitter: Who Do You Follow?

Miley Cyrus may have given up on Twitter, but plenty of others love it. As the music industry changes, the methods by which music is promoted is changing as well. Traditional marketing techniques are being replaced by musicians and bands using social media sites like Twitter to engage fans, promote their work, and connect with others.

LL Cool J uses social media site to get fan input on his next album, Alicia Keys details concert plans and Glambert tackled critics of his new album cover. [TheWrap]

Musicians on Twitter: 100+ Artists That Tweet

Who do you follow on Twitter?