Amerie is a great artist & I'm a fan. I live in aTL & I can't understand WHY Amerie is not as big of a star as Beyonce [not to draw comparisons].

She did have her biggest U.S. hit to date back in 2005, "One Thing"...then after that, it seems like her album was deflated. I really liked her first album...but her second album was not the best --- I only found maybe 3 tracks listenable.

I accidentally came across "Because I Love It" thru youTube & wikipedia a few months ago & have since downloaded most of the album. In my opinion, the album has SOOOO much to offer as far as R&B music is concerned.

I think that here in the US, so much emphasis is put on an artist "crossing over" to the point where the base genre is completely neglected. "Because I Love It" is pure R&B that would appeal to a wide range of urban genres. A few tracks have that hip-soul feel, while others are airy with 80's inspired themes.

The record label doesn't know how to market her here in the US without trying to make her crossover into a more pop-based sound.

Its a shame really....I hope it sees the light of day.