The Main Idea:
Following the success of her summery smash of a first single, Amerie released her debut album in 2002. Though she isn't the best singer in the world, I think Amerie is kind of like Ashanti, except with more range. This record is full of danceable love songs and excellent production from Rich Harrison (Beyonce, Kelly Rowland), who produced the entire album. The problem with employing one person to produce every song is that all of the tracks will blend together, and that is this record's only major downfall. All I Have does show promise, though I'm sure Amerie has much more to offer than this. Still, it was one of the best R&B albums of the year, mostly because of the fresh new sounds and beats it offers.

Song-By-Song Breakdown:
1. WHY DON'T WE FALL IN LOVE - This was Amerie's first single, and a well-chosen one. The production is a bit repetitive and boring, but Amerie's vocals are laid over it rather nicely. Still, some of her random shouting at the end can get annoying. It's a good radio song and a great upbeat summer jam with infectious lyrics, which is probably why it became the hit that it did - 4/5

2. TALKIN' TO ME - Amerie starts off really mellow and sweet on this mid-tempo track, then grows with power and conviction towards the middle of the song: "My friends say that they just can't see/How a love unspoken can be so deep/And every time that you look my way/I see what your heart wants to say to me." This second single has a similar sound as the previous one, though the production is a bit more classy and mature - 5/5

3. NOTHING LIKE LOVING YOU - This song has a jazzy, soulful feel to it, sort of like Janet Jackson mixed with a little bit of Alicia Keys. It's a nice song with pretty production, but Amerie's voice doesn't sound very strong, and the chorus is a bit annoying. This song tries too hard to sound like other R&B songs out there, but it does have a good, low-key quality to it. Not one of my favorites, but still pretty good - 3/5

4. CAN'T LET GO - For some reason, I get a real Latin vibe off of this one; maybe it's the guitar and the nice little opening. Vocally, this is one of Amerie's best songs, as she sounds very strong and clear. The lyrics are rather juvenile, however: "There's so much of you/Your love/Your love inside my heart/Words can't really explain..." See what I mean? These repetitive lyrics show up on many songs, which is another thing that handicaps it - 4/5

5. NEED YOU TONIGHT - This track appears to be her attempt at hip-hop, and it's actually not half-bad. The stuttery beats and production coupled with Amerie's slightly lower and more grumbly vocals make this song rather danceable and fun. Once again, there's those repetitive lyrics that all but spoil the song, and I also don't like all of the talking and spoken word stuff in the background; it sounds like she's trying too hard to be a rapper - 4/5

6. GOT TO BE THERE - This song actually isn't as bad as I thought it was going to be when I listened to a sound clip on bn.com. It has a real Latin vibe to it, due to the production and the guitar. It's very catchy and addicting and has the same fresh, summery vibe as #1. Though it's not one of my favorites, this song has definitely grown on me. A nice mid-tempo tune that flows well with the rest of the record - 4/5

7. I JUST DIED - This song starts off with some fairly simple production and fingersnaps, then launches into Amerie's usual lilting, mellow vocals. The hook is almost sickeningly sweet and simple: "I just died in your arms tonight/Don't want nobody to bring me back to life/I just died in your arms/I just died in your arms tonight, tonight." One of the better tracks on the album and a good little slow jam - 4/5

8. HATIN' ON YOU - This song is horribly overproduced. The vocals are good, but not arranged well, and the lyrics are very immature. This seems to be another attempt at a harder, more street-wise sound, and it just doesn't work for Amerie. The song isn't a lost cause, however. It has a good beat and did start to grow on me a tiny bit. This is the only really disposable song on the record, though it's half-saved by Amerie's vocals - 3/5

9. FLOAT - This is one of my favorites. Amerie sounds very innocent and vulnerable, and the production finally compliments her voice well. Overall, this is a very sweet mid-tempo song and would probably be a successful single. The whole album really picks up at this point; Rich Harrison finally got his act together with this track's production. Very catchy and sweet - 5/5

10. SHOW ME - This song has a similar sound as the previous one, but it has some out of place computerized sounds, though they're pretty faint and don't take away from the song. Once again, the hook is very sweet: "Feeling like letting you love me/Feel like giving you my heart/Show me all the love that you're feeling/Show you all the love that I'm feeling." Another great mid-tempo track that features one of Amerie's best deliveries - 4/5

11. ALL I HAVE - This is my favorite song on the record, period. It starts off with just some simple guitar, which accompanies the song all the way through. The production is equally as simple, which is good because it allows Amerie to sing out more than she does on the other songs. We finally get to hear what she can do as a vocalist, especially at the end. I was really surprised at this song; I didn't know Amerie had such power in her - 5/5

12. OUTRO - For an outro, this track is actually pretty good. Amerie sings some simple words of thanks and recognition over an ominous, hip-hop-inspired beat. I think this little ditty should have been made into a full-length song because it has an excellent beat - 4/5

The Big Picture:
I can honestly say that I was surprised at how good All I Have was when I first listened to it. I'd heard WHY DON'T WE FALL IN LOVE on the radio and didn't like it very much. I tried her album out just for a change, and I'm glad I did. Amerie has a fresh new sound that's a departure from all the Ashantis and Marys and Beyonces out there. It's very fun and summery, a very happy album, which is what we need right now. Though she's certainly not the most accomplished singer in the world, and she doesn't write her own songs, Amerie is a very promising young talent. I know I say this a lot, but I really expect to hear great things from her in the future, as long as she grows musically and doesn't stick to this same sound her whole career.

Because, as much as I love it, All I Have is overproduced. I do genuinely like the production, but it just doesn't sound right for Amerie's voice. It's too busy, too mucky, there's too much going on. Everyone knows that production is usually what makes or breaks a record, especially a debut record. Amerie has a beautiful voice, but that voice is pretty useless if you don't have the right music backing you up. All I Have is a good debut effort, a good way to get your foot in the door. But I think that, if Amerie really wants longevity and a good career, she should try something different on her next album, something simpler. Her signature sound will still be there, but it will just be presented in a better, more tasteful way. I'm behind Amerie and her career 100%. I'm just glad that she's still young and still has room to grow.

Final Notes:
Average Song Rating: 4.083
Best Song(s): "Float," "Show Me," and "All I Have"
Worst Song(s): "Hatin' On You"

How Would I Rate This Record's...
Vocals? 3 1/2 stars
Lyrics? 3 stars
Production? 2 stars
Timelessness? 0 stars
Artistry? 1 star

Also Recommended:
Beyonce - Dangerously In Love
Ashanti - Ashanti
Mya - Fear Of Flying

Recommended: Yes

Great Music to Play While: Reading or Studying