Track Listing

1. We Need A Resolution
2. Loose Rap
3. Rock The Boat
4. More Than A Woman
5. Never No More
6. I Care 4 U
7. Extra Smooth
8. Read Between The Lines
9. U Got Nerve
10. I Refuse
11. It's Whatever
12. I Can Be
13. Those Were The Days
14. What If
15. Try Again

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #192903 in Music
• Released on: 2001-07-16
• Number of discs: 1
• Format: Limited Edition

Amazon.co.uk Review
Seven years after her debut at just 14 years old Aaliyah's third studio album is a bizarrely mature album. While most artists are just getting going Aaliyah's been through a career arc that has led her from pop to street to an unconventional retro-modern risk-taking version of US R&B. Lead track "We Need a Resolution" and the fantastic "Try Again" (originally released on the excellent Romeo Must Die Soundtrack) are as a mainstream as it gets and the album's pace rarely gets above medium. There'll be less hits from "Aaliyah" but it's an extraordinarily romantic exposition of passion and pain. While Missy Elliot is cranking out jams for all her "club freaks" Aaliyah is like a modern day Minnie Ripperton, 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 with a film noir shade as diva Aaliyah steps catlike away from the bubblegum R&B of her contemporaries. There's even the now-obligatory rock track tacked on near the end ("I Can Be") but even this excels the standard hip-hop/rock/R&B crossover fare with it's Prince-like influences coupled with Aaliyah's own instinct for deep seduction. Aaliyah also signals 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 now appears Aaliyah's more than able to go it alone. --Jake Barnes

CD Description
The self titled third album from Aaliyah is an innovative take on the American R&B sound. The production talents of Timbaland, Missy Elliot, and others, guarantee a mixture of styles from 70's funk through to abstract techno. 'Aaliyah' also features the groundbreaking hit single 'Try Again'

Customer Reviews

Aaliyah-Aaliyah
1) We need a resolution-This is the best and most original songs on the album in my view. The lyrics are cleaver and speak from the heart. When you hear the song, you think that her voice wouldn’t sound right with it. It’s very gritty, but Aaliyah’s smooth and unique voice contrasts with this brilliantly produced beat.
2) Loose rap-When I first heard the album; this was one of my least favourite tracks on it. However, the more I listen to it, the more it grows on me. The song at first is hard to follow, but it is really about how she doesn’t care what people say about her, it’s all just ‘Loose rap’.
3) Rock the boat-I really enjoying listening to this song if it’s raining, just reminds me of holidays and being in the sun. It is a very smooth and soulful song, beautify sung.
4) More than a women-There is a really interesting beat in this song that I love. It is catchy and great when you’re out. This was Aaliyah’s only U.K number 1 which she tragically was not here to celebrate.
5) Never no more- This is a very original way of creating a ballad. But again, it really works. It is sang from the heart and is overall an amazing song.
6) I care 4 U- A classic song by Aaliyah. A truly beautiful song, this to me sums up everything she was about.
7) Extra Smooth- This song has a really unusual string section played though out. It is very unique. Sounds great with her voice.
8) Read between the lines- This is a Latin based song, really stays In your head, but in a good way. It sounds quite a lot like ‘More then a women’ but is the only song that sounds like another on this album. Really interesting structure in the way it is sung. It is very jumpy but sounds great.
9) U got nerve- It has a really nice melody during the song. A very simple scale but it sounds good. Again, the way it is sung is very unusual but still works!
10) I refuse- A stunning song. So original yet so well presented. It is complete with an orchestra. This again, when heard, is a very unique way of laying out a ballad. Aaliyah’s singing ability is really shown in this song.
11) It’s Whatever- Another one of my favourites. To me this describes who Aaliyah really was. It is so graceful, so beautiful, so peaceful, and so unique. It is sung over a harsh hip-hop beat, but her voice mellows it out some how. An incredible song.
12) I can be- In this you hear where she would have headed with her next album. There is a nice guitar section in there. Really different but so good. She once said that this was one of her favourite songs off the album.
13) Those were the days- To me when I listen to this song it sounds like she is going back to the roots of her career. It sounds like something that should be on ‘One in a million’. Again, a very smooth song.
14) What If- When I first heard this song I was blown away. She completely broke the rules with this one. And I’m so glade she did. It is amazing. Again, you could see what she had planned for her next album in this song. A lot of guitars and it sounds quite dark.
15) Try again- If you don’t know Aaliyah’s music very well, you’ll defiantly know this one. Taken from the film she did with ‘Jet Lee’, ‘Romeo must die’. It is a very good song. And is one of the many highlights of her tragically short career.
Every time I listen to this album I hear something new, it is incredible. And she should be proud to have ended her career on such a good note. She will always inspire me as she broke all the conventional rules you need to follow to be an R’n’B star. She is the prime example of what you can do with your life if you try. She is and will be greatly missed.

4 Years On Still One Of The Best Albums Of The Milliennuim
Aaliyah sadly died on the 25th August 01 she left behind 3 near-perfect albums and a horde of fans (true fans not "More Than A Woman" fans")."Aaliyah" was the 3rd album from the 22yr old its her most creative,mature and personal record for her she get helps from long time producer/friend Timbaland as well her friend Missy Elliott along with Static from the R&B group Playa each of the 15 cuts on the album has a personal significance to her life u can tell the way she sings the amount of emotions come thru her voice is fantasic.The album starts with the 1st single lifted "We Need A Resolution" (my favourite cut) is about a fighting couple trying to salvage what little of a relationship they have topped off with production and a rap cameo by timbaland if gives the song a raw hip-hop beat with a light asian feel to it next up we have a song produced by Static "Loose Rap" is about people pretendin to be ur friend but they hatin secretly (who would have hated on Aaliyah c'mon b serious)this song is edgy and quite adventurous for her great song as well the wailing near the end of the song is so cool!.
Track 3 is a fan favourite "Rock The Boat" is shows Aaliyah's sexy side the lyrics are racey and flirty more like breathing the lyrics than singing 'em she makes this summery sex song one of her best yet! "More Than A Woman" is #4 it won her alot of new fans its radio friendly r&b lite song its more pop with an edge the song basically says shes down for her man and she's more than just a pretty face.It was a dance hall smash and was a UK #1 too bad she wasnt around to bask in her glory.
"Never No More" touches on abuse its light and airy her voice shines on this one the beat is crazy i love this one its very emotional like WNAR its about a relationship on its last legs Track 6 is also a fan favourite "I Care 4 U" was originally slated for the '96 release "One In A Million" but didnt quite make the end result so she put it on this one Penned by Missy Elliott shows Aaliyah's loving side it was one of the best slowjams of 01 its heartfelt and indeed made for lover's."Extra Smooth" shows Aaliyah her girly side is about what she likes in a man and also bout fast men that just want one thing she jus wants a Smooth brotha "Read Between The Lines" & "U Got Nerve" are about lying,cheating,dirty men RBTL is about a brotha caught out there while UGN with its bouncy,fresh beat is bout takin a woman for granted n jus running around doin her wrong the jazzy undertones and the bridge make this song really original Track 10 is another of my personal favourites "I Refuse" is the big 6min mello-drama its for all those women who be done wrong yet again and jus "Refuses" to be takin for a ride her vocals are supreme on this track has to be one of my all time fav songs and thats an undertstatment how good this song is!!!!!.
"Track 11" the sultry Aaliyah comes into play "It's Whatever" its nice laid back Nu-Soul track something Jill Scott would concoct with its nice piano loop and her sweet honey-dipped lyrics this song is perfect "I Can Be" thinkin at the start this is gonna be a slowjam but ur wrong the biggest stand out on the album people were shocked that she had rock influences got that sorta Micheal Jackson "Dirty Diana" feel to it a great song and its so short it definatly isnt long enuff "Those Were The Days" it just reminds me of a Brandy song its a good song shes just reminiscing on how her man used to treat her now she dont get nuffin they dont feel the same way "U aint cute no more" poor 'Liyah.I gotta say this is the strangest yet one of the strongest cuts "What If" another rock influenced track she turns funky chick she should have (if she was still alive) released this fantastic song though a bit reptitive at times the song is flawless the beat is nuts love it the last track #15 "Try Again" was featured on the soundtrack of "Romeo Must Die" it was the 1st us fans heard from her in 5yrs alot of people didnt recognise her as she totally changed her look for the Japanese influenced video with one killer of a dance rountine this song is a classic and remains one of the most original tracks ever produced!.

Ovrall this remains in my top 5 of all time favourite albums she will be greatly missed but still be in our hearts and in her music she will live on.

Top 5 Aaliyah Tracks
1.We Need A Resolution
2.It's Whatever
3.What If
4.I Can Be
5.Rock The Boat

/\/\ILY/\H
1979-2001 XXX

She may now be gone... but she will never be forgotten
However, it is the music you are interested in, and thats what I will get onto. This self-titled album by Aaliyah is simply a masterpiece. Through her voice, Timbalands great production on some of the tracks, and great lyrics (mostly by Static from Playa), Aaliyah expresses a great many issues... and above all, inspires and entertains. 'We Need A Resolution' is the opening track, and it is a fitting one. The fantastic beats by Timbaland accompany Aaliyah's accomplished singing voice perfectly... the haunting track is one of my favourites, and desereved to do so much better than it did in the UK chart. 'Loose Rap' and 'Rock The Boat' are both great songs, showing her maturity and great vocal ability. 'Rock The Boat' also shows that she is a sexual woman... and it succeeds in being a sensual song without having to use obscene language. 'More Than A Woman' is one of the stand out tracks here... another of Timbalands productions. With its bizarre beat and great vocal arangement, it is a song you will want to listen to over and over. Other stand out tracks on the record include the incredibly touching ballad 'I Care 4 U' (written by Missy Elliot), 'I Refuse', 'It's Whatever' and 'Try Again' (from the Romeo Must Die soundtrack). To be honest, I love all the songs on this album... it is truly great. 'What If' is a great rock tune... and it is suprising it is so good... you wouldn't think it would fit with her voice, but it works very well. 'Extra Smooth' is very cool, 'Read Between The Lines' has a funky latin flavour and spicy lyrics too... all jazzed up thanks to Timbalands obsession with fiddling with the electrics (you'll see what I mean when you hear it)! 'Never No More' is another ballad that hits home a message and 'U Got Nerve' is an edgey song with plenty of anger! 'I Can Be' is probably the weakest track here... but still, it is good... just not as good as the rest on this record. It is a fitting final album (although we all wish it was not her last) that shows what she is really made of. If you love hip hop, R'n'B or Aaliyah herself, then you need this album.