Nevertheless, the album was certified Gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for selling over 500,000 copies on October 3, 2003,[1] and won Amerie a Soul Train Music Award for Best R&B/Soul or Rap New Artist in 2003.

While studying at Georgetown, Amerie befriended a Washington, D.C., club promoter who put her in touch with producer Rich Harrison.

She also recorded a song with Detroit rapper Royce da 5'9", titled "Life", the third and final single from his Rock City (Version 2.0) album.

Amerie has a pleasant-enough voice that she uses to express a tempered fervor and a degree of eroticism, but she seems to be just another modestly talented performer chosen mostly for her looks; record companies seem to be on an endless search for attractive young women of mixed racial heritage (apparently in hopes of demographic crossover) who can carry a tune, and this willing Georgetown graduate with a Korean mother and African-American father is just the latest in a long line.

None of which is to say that she won't succeed (record companies make a lot of money taking such bets), but at least on the basis of her debut album, Amerie has nothing to recommend her beyond a fairly anonymous surface appeal.

"[18] Vanessa E. Jones of The Boston Globe gave a mixed review, stating: Amerie's almond eyes come courtesy of her Korean mother, while her caramel skin was inherited from her African-American dad.

With jazzy horns and romantic strings caressed by Amerie's strong, yearning alto, the song brought to mind beach holidays and summer fun every time it came on the air.

It would be a great debut if it weren't for all the filler, and for lyrics (written by the CD's producer Rich Harrison) that revolve around the tired subjects of love, betrayal, and hate.

Amerie scores extra points for keeping things short, sweet and free from gratuitous vocal acrobatics.

"[20] Steve Jones of USA Today gave the album two and a half out of four stars, stating: "On her strings-laced hit single, "Why Don't We Fall in Love", 22-year-old Amerie shows a talent for subtlety and nuance not often heard from a debut singer.

"[23] Felicia Pride from PopMatters gave a mixed review, stating: "Even with all her charming characteristics, the brains, the voice and the looks, her debut is, well, boring...

Both are quiet storm ballads in which her vocals are richer, not as forced (quieter) and dance hand-in-hand with sexy hooks that allow the track to take the lead...

The album was certified Gold by the Recording Industry Association of America on October 3, 2003,[1] and earned Amerie a Soul Train Music Award for Best R&B/Soul or Rap New Artist in 2003.