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 Fast, Priced right Nov 16, 2009
My grand daughter loved it. Fast delivery and the price was cheaper including shipping than a store.
0 of 1 found the following review helpful:
Beyonce's Masterpiece Of Maturity Nov 15, 2009
As long as I've known about her Beyonce has always struck me as someone with a complete duel nature. On the one end reflective and creative and,on the other mildly shallow and attention craving. Well now she is physically mature and knows that all too well. This is a double album,at a time when NO MAJOR R&B star is making them anymore and as such it reflects her apparent split personality. She had a promising career with Destiny's Child and her solo career got off to an excellent start. To be honest though,upon further listenings I found the majority of B'day lacking for the sheer quality of song:not atypical of the pop music scene in general circa 2005-2006. Now she's definately going all out on this one not to seek attention,but rather credibility. After a long period of being told she has much potential it seems that here she is beginning to fulfill it. Now this is not some kind of Stevie Wonder 70's masterpiece or anything. Nor is it.....Aaliyah;the contemporary R&B/pop scene just doesn't allow that variety or thrill in innovation. One thing that's positive about this album is that all of it heavily plays down Beyonce's past clishe's of oversinging as well as laying on those gimmicky,electronic microtonal Arabic-styled arrangments so heavily. The first disk of the albums consists of midtempo and slow jams that actually do innovate in one respect:they take some of the modern drum machine oriented R&B and blend them with these kind of alternative folk-rock flavor. "Smash Into You" and "Satellites" are two of the best examples of this kind of brooding acoustically textured R&B (not acoustic soul as it has a lot more of an edge) and finds Beyonce's writing and singing at a premium. Whatever you might think of her overexposure these are terrific tunes. "If I Were A Boy" puts her in the possition many male soulsters did in the past:seeing the battle of the sexes from,in this case a mans point of view-stating that she'd "understand how to be a girl". Considering how things are now she's probably not entirely correct but is definately onto something there. "Halo" and "Broken Hearted Girl" are great likeminded songs,beautifully chorded although in the end some rhythmic variation would've baught them as close to perfection as any human could ask. Still they are very good. Her take on "Ave Maria" is really nice with this mix of R&B and opera that......could've been very pretentious but Beyonce's belief in the concept doesn't put it too far over the top. That alone would've been an excellent album. The second CD is all uptempo and,while it projects a similar variety in many ways it doesn't variate from Beyonce's previous sound as the first disk does. Some of that might have to do with the fact that "Diva" is by far the most unpleasant song on the whole album with her seriously stating "a diva's a female version of a hustler". The almost meglomaniacal ego tripping would've easily deducted two or more stars for me if it was'nt for another song,the great horn packed soul/funk of "Ego" where she literally sings of having a really big ego and,while also stating to be able to back it up she has at least part of her tongue planted in her cheek. "Video Phone" isn't a bad song but her "this is not R&B" kind of attitude does remind me of the troubling musical self denial I've always seen in Beyonce but there's also irony. In the meantime "Hello" and "Radio" are good keyed up dance tracks that too present some strong rhythmic,if very digitized rhythmic variations and some incredible songwriting in places. "Scared And Lonley" is a great closer that mixes it all up:the midtempo,the electronic rhythms and even that folk-rock touch. On this album Beyonce puts all her musical and lyrical assets and wharts on display and even expressess some understanding of her need to get over some of the latter. If her future means that she will take this concept to heart and concentrate on her musical vision over attention seeking she will be in a pretty good place. That remains to be seen but,for an album I was sure I'd totally dislike this is very potent in many areas and worth the time for those looking for redeption in contemporary R&B.
beyonce evolved! excellent! Nov 15, 2009
i loveeee this album! it gives you the best of beyonce and sasha fierce! she had evolved as an artist and gets deeper on her material. the album offers a balance that i needed and i can play both cd's straight through! long live the queen!
I thinks it's pretty good. Oct 10, 2009
I bought this album the day it came out. I was always a Beyonce fan and I am interested in all her songs and albums.She has beautiful voice and amazing range. I like the first disc but not from the first listen. It had to grow on me. My favorites from the first disc are "Disappear" and "That's Why You're Beautiful". The second disc had me dancing all over the place and it was more exciting. My favorites are "Sweet Dreams", "Ego," "Single Ladies" and "Diva".I think I like Sasha Fierce better. The Beyonce disc gets kind of boring.I know Beyonce is probably not a boring person but I think she could've spice the Beyonce disc up. She should've added more up-tempo songs to it. Yet I don't really see a day and night difference between Beyonce and Sasha. All her albums sound like Sasha and Beyonce. I don't see how she took a creative risk. All and all I think it is a good album. It deserves a listen. It has nice balladry,fun melodies and quiet yet explosive energy.
Incredible!! Sep 14, 2009
I use the "If I were a boy" song to kick off my feminist class (I teach high school) . you have to grab young people and this works! the Beyonce' part is vulnerability and softness,etc...The Sasha Fierce songs from "Single Ladies" to "Diva" etc. are strong and wild...it is a really enjoyable album and I am 60+
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