Alicia Keys - The Element of Freedom

Last updated 11:16 21/01/2010

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Mark Lanegan Band: Blues Funeral Kathleen Edwards: Voyageur Little Roy: Battle for Seattle Leonard Cohen: Old Ideas Lights: Siberia Various: ZZ Top: A Tribute from Friends REM: Part Lies Part Heart Part Truth Part Garbage I Am Giant: The Horrifying Truth Victoria Girling-Butcher: Summit Drive Manic Street Preachers: National Treasures

This is the first time one of Keys' albums has failed to debut at No1 in the United States – which is a pretty fair result, considering its limitations.

Keys has shown that she can be a good composer, even within the mushy confines of R'n'B, but this particular set of well-meaning, heartfelt songs drifts from minor piano chord to banal love lyric and back again, with no good melodies or hooks, undistinguished and indistinguishable.

It's almost as if she's attempting to simply coast along on her unquestionable sincerity. Even Beyonce can't save Put It In A Love Song – Keys seems to be making sure her guest doesn't stray past her own strangely subdued vocal level.

There are some interesting 80s synth sounds that recall the likes of Prince but, overall, this is a disappointment. Keys has a good heart, but all the good intentions in the world can't compensate for an overdose of mawkishness and a lack of inspiration.

Best tracks: Wait Til You See My Smile, Love Is My Disease.