Review 1 of 22

Sweuxth writes:

3of 5 Stars

B’day is Miss Knowles’ first solo release when the shadow of Destiny’s Child has not been hindering her progress. It almost seems disappointing, particularly after the number of reviews suggesting Destiny Fulfilled would have been better had it been Beyonce’s own, that B’day falls short of such expectations. Still, the album marks a wonderful celebration of where Knowles has been trying to reach for years: full fledged R&B and dance with the energy levels of a child.

On a positive note, B’day has a lot to offer the casual R&B listener: while “Kitty Kat”’s subtle tones aren’t quite seductive, its interesting enough to capture your attention, “Suga Mama” and “Freakum Dress”, despite being lyrically weak, are catchy club tunes and the intensified, although arguably crazy, “Ring The Alarm”, presents a totally different side to the diva. The problem with introducing this side, is that she has alienated the more pop-oriented fanbase Dangerously In Love gave her; the manic side “Déjà vu” introduced” that culminated in the release of “Ring The Alarm” pushes her into specialised music territory whose listeners are fewer in number. The album does display two very clever moves: “Irreplacable” is Knowles’ first memorable, well sung ballad which is lyrically applicable in a universal context (not entirely a dissimilar idea to the inspiration behind “We Belong Together” by Carey), and “Upgrade U” is when Beyonce sounds best on her R&B take: the thumping beat and hooky melody moulds the at times unnecessarily superfluous, yet at times clever lyrics into her best track to date.

While Beyonce’s songs, rather than her voice are what make this album a good listen, “Resentment” marks Beyonce’s most controlled and emotive vocal to date, indicating room for improvement in these areas. Although the diva has plenty of time to find exactly what style she wants to perform and to refine her vocals, B’day at least informs listeners she knows where she wants to be down the line and she’s already started the journey.

Jun 16, 2007 13:06:23

Review 2 of 22

DatSexxi1 writes:

5of 5 Stars

First of all that CD was really the best...She aint never had to just shake her ass and her parents are not her pimps you just mad because you could never in life get her's she is jus simply mucho talented. And all of songs were great and i never went to sleep on them...jus STOP FUCKIN HATIN...GO B DO WHAT YOU DO!!!

Mar 7, 2007 14:31:11

Review 3 of 22

candysis writes:

Not Rated

Obviously Beyonce is entitled to an artistic license but with all of that aside i beleive that this is a really good album.As a sidenote i have to add that an appreciation for southern rhythm and blues dating back to the 60s helps to see exactly where Beyonce is coming from on this particular album.

Feb 19, 2007 18:02:56

Review 4 of 22

shadeep writes:

Not Rated

this album is ok.....not disappointing......"de javu" is so full of energy'rocking!!!

Jan 27, 2007 02:54:29

Review 6 of 22

Boiddiva02 writes:

2of 5 Stars

If you like listening to music that make you fall asleep this is the album to buy... Beyonce so undersings that you sometimes have to turn up the volume all the way to hear it. Beyonce is so full of herself that she believes people will buy this album, well the issue is that IT STINKS. the only decent songs on the album of "Listen" which is from the movie "dreamgirls" and "irreplaceable" which itself is not anything more than average. This album makes Mariah Carey's "Glitter" look like a classic. DO NOT BUY THIS ALBUM.

Dec 28, 2006 22:34:44

Review 7 of 22

cinemahill writes:

1of 5 Stars

When I buy a CD anymore I either go to Best Buy to review it on their computer through Napster or to the used record store. Music artists are not consistent and I would regret wasting my money. In the case of Beyonce’s new release B’day I did things a little differently. Weeks ago this release was advertised as having a DVD that came along with the purchase with Beyonce’s BET live performances (Wal-mart). The DVD is ok if you are interested in learning more about Beyonce as a writer (I am) of music; however, the live performances I saw last night were clips and not in their entirety (unless there is another section I missed). Thank God this was on sale for $13.88 because I am very disappointed in this CD. There are ten songs on it with an Encore of a song for her new movie coming out called “Dream Girls”. This is scheduled to be released this December. That song sucked and no it was not a remake of Jennifer Holiday’s “I am telling you”. I saw the Dream Girls play and it sucked as well. I hope her movie is better than this CD. It stars Jamie Fox and Eddie Murphy. Back to this awful CD. The first release “Déjà vu” is ok and the second song is “Get Me Bodied” is average. I like the vocal arrangement on it. The only other song that is decent is number ten which is “Resentment”. This is a slow melodic song with what seems to be an acoustic guitar. Her vocals are strong and soulful on this one. The rest of the songs are more up tempo and most of the songs are heavy on the bass. Perhaps it’s just that I’m 40 and less tolerable of the “hip hop” sound…but I don’t think that’s it. The rhythms appear to be more experimental than any recent song I’ve heard from her (or anyone). Nothing wrong with experimenting but you gotta make sure it sounds good. Fella’s there’s a treat on the inside cover where she is photographed in a bikini with high heel shoes on holding straps connected to a couple of alligators (hot!!!). She says she lost twenty pounds for her movie-you can tell. In the interview on the DVD she stated she wanted to do something different and not repeat herself in performances, videos and in her music. I thought I heard her say that this CD took her two or so weeks to put together. I hope I heard this wrong, because it’s obvious that whether two weeks or two months---it’s not consistent and seems rushed! She says in between breaks from filming her movie (Dream Girls) she was in the studio. There were three different producers within the same building recording and writing at the same time. She would go from one booth to another. What sense does that make? She says she was not rushed and was not going to work on a CD while filming the movie but someone brought the track to Déjà vu and it went from there. Her previously CD “Dangerously In Love” was more consistent and much better overall. If you’re smart you won’t waste your money on this one.



* (out of five stars)



Cinemahill

Nov 3, 2006 06:29:54

Review 8 of 22

Nice writes:

2of 5 Stars

Not a very good album
Quit boring
Seems like she still didn't top her hits on Destiny's Child.
There's some few good songs like Deja Vú, with the horns and bass,Get me Bodied, with the stomping and claps thst instantly make u wanna shake ur booty til u can't no more, Green Light produced by the neptunes and Suga Mama.But everything else it's easily forgotten.The slow tunes like Irreplaceable and Listen are just anoying and boring.
Ring the alarm it's a very strange song for me, i can't understand it really...the perfomance on MTV Music awards made me more confused about it, the song has no beat, so u can't dance and doesn't make u feel u wanna shout.This song reminds me I Hate so much right now from Kelis, that i love it, but it's not nearly as good as the Kelis
It's definetly a disapoitting album she still needs to work harder, she definetly got the talent but she really needs to development.
This album will possibly have only one number one hit(Get me Bodied) cause the album doesn't have anything else to go to the top the charts

Oct 29, 2006 15:44:56