Aaliyah - Aaliyah

Seven years after her debut at just 15 years old, Aaliyah assembled a third studio album that was astonishingly mature. Sadly, her death just a little over a month after its release stilled a promising voice in R&B. At 22, when most artists would just be getting started, Aaliyah had already progressed from pop to street to an unconventional retro-modern, risk-taking version of R&B. While lead track "We Need a Resolution" is as mainstream as it gets, there are fewer hits on this album than on previous efforts. Instead, this collection is an extraordinary romantic exposition of passion and pain. While Missy Elliott is cranking out jams for all her "club freaks," Aaliyah is like a modern-day (if less vocally gifted) Minnie Riperton, exploring the pains of moving from child star to adult sex symbol. Tracks such as "Never No More" and "I Care 4 U" (featuring Missy) are slinky, twisted ballads imbued with film-noir sultriness, as diva Aaliyah steps catlike away from the bubblegum R&B of her contemporaries. There's also the obligatory rock track tacked on near the end ("I Can Be"), but even this excels above the standard hip-hop/rock/R&B crossover fare with its Prince-like influences coupled with Aaliyah's own instinct for seduction. Aaliyah also signaled a move away from her long-standing musical relationship with producer Timbaland, who contributes just three cuts. Having started out heavily supported by R. Kelly, it appeared that Aaliyah was more than able to go it alone. --Jake Barnes Amazon.com\'s Best of 2001

ok

i like this cd, but i think it could've been better. it's an easy listen though. July 30, 2008

Average, she had done better before.

Yes, I was one of the ones who purchased this album after she passed away. I had been a minor fan from before, but before her death, I didn't even know she had released an album. Her two albums before this one "Age Ain't Nothing But A Number" & "One In A Million" were great albums. But for some reason she tried diffirent producers on this album. It's an okay album, not horrible but she had done better before. There are a few catchy tunes. "Rock The Boat" is the best track on the album and the albums biggest hit. Also the video that was being shot, when her plane crashed. The other track that is worth a listen is "More Than A Woman", both singles were Top 20 but still nothing of what she accomplished before. More than likely, she would of recorded a better album. She is deeply missed and I know her star would of gotten more brighter. April 18, 2008

A Good One

What I like about this album is it doesn't insist on itself. It's just some good music. It won't go down in history as one of the greatest albums ever created, but it's a good listen for sure. There are no pointless skits and interludes every two to three songs. It's just music from beginning to end. And it's those little things that you appreciate. April 14, 2008

The blueprint to all RnB albums of the future....,

A MUST HAVE album.
This album shaped and formed how future RnB albums should be and will sound like. Still the quality and fluidity of this album is still unmatched today, and I don't think it ever will be.
Aaliyah set her own mark with 'One in a million' (which was considered a landmark RnB album of the 90s also), and she did exactly the same thing with her self titled album.
This album was so far ahead of its time. It excelled 'One in a million' in each and every way possible. Aaliyah showed that she could progress and evolve within her musical style and her flowing vocals.
Overall the production is top notch.
Timbalands beats are on point as usual, very creative and very modern.

This is a very creative album in every way, and is probably the most influential and top quality Pop/RnB album of recent times.

This shaped how an RnB/Pop album would be in this new millennium.
I don't think it gets any better than this.

R.I.P. Aaliyah you are sadly missed. March 29, 2008

AALIYAH

I LOVE THIS ALBUM.ITS NOT ONLY MY FAVORITE AALIYAH ALBUM.ITS MY FAVORITE OUT OF MY TOP FIVE ALBUMS.AALIYAH WAS TOTALLY HERSELF ON THIS ALBUM.YOU CAN PLAY THIS CD WITHOUT SKIPPING THROUGH SONGS.RIP BABY GIRL October 22, 2007

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