'B'Day' is the 2nd Solo Album by the fabulous American born RnB artist Beyonce' Knowles and after very much enjoying her first album and also her work with her group Destiny's child I obviously HAD to get this album. B'Day was released worldwide on September 4th 2006 and apparently only took ... Read review
Advantages: Great variety of tracks Disadvantages: Very short album in terms of the length of the songs.
...HAD to get this album. B'Day was released worldwide on September 4th 2006 and apparently only took Beyonce 3 weeks to complete. Which just goes to show that when an album is an emotional one from the heart (which this seems to be) then a work of art does not need to take years.
The album has a total of 13 tracks and lasts an average of 45 minutes (which is not very long for a full length album)------ and this is my opinion of the ... ...*** A deluxe edition of B'Day was released on April 3, 2007 as a deluxe edition, which includes the songs Beautiful Liar, a duet with Latin star Shakira, Amor Gitano, a duet with Mexican singer Alejandro Fernández, and also the Spanish versions of Beautiful Liar, Irreplaceable and Listen
Overall Opinion ***
My Conclusion
This album seems to be a very personal one which could relate to Beyonce's personal life but ... more
'B'Day' is the 2nd Solo Album by the fabulous American born RnB artist Beyonce' Knowles and after very much enjoying her first album and also her work with her group Destiny's child I obviously HAD to get this album. B'Day was released worldwide on September 4th 2006 and apparently only took Beyonce 3 weeks to complete. Which just goes to show that when an album is an emotional one from the heart (which this seems to be) then a work of art does not need to take years.
The album has a total of 13 tracks and lasts an average of 45 minutes (which is not very long for a full length album)------ and this is my opinion of the tracks….
Déjà vu This hit the number 1 spot in the UK but did not stay there for long. It is a very funky track, which features Jay Z, Beyonce's husband 'so the newspapers say'. It begins with a very angry sounding Jay Z almost 'grunting' so do not play to loudly if you have the windows open. But once Beyonce' gets into it then it's a hip shaking 70's track.
Get Me Bodied Starts with a countdown and then a hip whipping beat which is great if the base is on your stereo. But Beyonce' seems to stay on the same tone throughout the song which can get a little bit annoying and there is only a small section which shows off her vocal ability, a shame you can not turn her voice down in the one but still a great track about getting out on the dance floor and not being a wallflower!
Suga Mama Probably one of the tracks that I skip on this album. The lyrics are slightly odd and the song itself is not great and is definitely not one that will stick in your mind. Suga Mama is the sentence that takes over most of the chorus so if you do here the song you know what the title is!! A bit of a pointless song.
Upgrade U One of the best tracks on the album and one of the few featuring Jay Z which have not gone completely hip-hop. Great vibe to it, great beat and great attitude.. with a slick and sexy sound. Produced by Cameron Wallace. Anyone who likes RnB will like this track. Any females off on a night out listen to this and it will empower you before you hit the clubs!
Ring the alarm Starting the song with a siren sounds and with a very angry Beyonce' this is in the same league as upgrade you. It is basically about Beyonce' fighting to keep her man from another woman. Heavy beat to nod your head to but still keeping Beyonce's loud and tuneful. This was also released as a single from the album.
Kitty Kat This is a soft flowing song, with Beyonce' sounding very sweet and sultry, produced by the Neptune's so it has quite a jumpy beat and varies in tempo throughout the song. Not bad, but nothing special.
Freakum Dress Another empowering song to listen to before a night out about THAT dress you wear on a night out…. A fast tempo track and a great sense of speed through out the chorus which makes you want to dance but the actual song is nothing special. I wouldn't rate this one too high.
Green Light I loved this song, the beat is another one to make you nod your head and shake your hips. This is also produced by the Neptune's who know exactly how to work a song… this song varies in speed throughout the track and also changes in sound from a slightly more vicious tone to a slightly more fun sound and towards to the end a more soulful beyonce' lets her voice out with a great jazz solo at the end, not something you would expect when you begin to listen to the song.
Irreplaceable For me this is the best song on the album and also one of the best songs Beyonce' has ever recorded! The lyrics are fantastic and as soon as I hear it I want to close my eyes and sing along. All about telling someone they do not rule the world! This was the second single from the album released in October 2006.
Resentment This song is one of the very few tracks where you actually get the good soulful voice of Beyonce'. It is a slow song and sound very personal about Beyonce' being lied to and trying to forgive someone. Do not listen to if you have just been emotionally hurt by someone as this will make you cry. This is classic ballad material of Beyonce'.
Check on it Made for the Pink Panther film soundtrack and featuring Bun B and Slim it is a great RnB song with the edgy beats and sexy lyrics from Beyonce'. This is a fun song that you can dance to without it being to serious.
Encore for the fans This is a 400second little snippet from Beyonce' talking about being a strong person etc… I am not keen on these little intros on albums as they are pretty pointless. An album is for music not lectures.
Listen This is also from a soundtrack from a film called 'Dream girls' which Beyonce' starred in. A strong ballad about being a strong female and finding yourself. Another fantastic hit which gives me Goosebumps when I listen. Something which you can not help but forget the beat and the music but tune into the lyrics. Brilliant.
*** A deluxe edition of B'Day was released on April 3, 2007 as a deluxe edition, which includes the songs Beautiful Liar, a duet with Latin star Shakira, Amor Gitano, a duet with Mexican singer Alejandro Fernández, and also the Spanish versions of Beautiful Liar, Irreplaceable and Listen Overall Opinion ***
My Conclusion
This album seems to be a very personal one which could relate to Beyonce's personal life but we will never know. It would have been better if it had a few more soulful tracks in there to show off her voice but never the less the tracks are great for all moods. All the vocals are strong and there is not one which seems to be a half hearted attempt to get the job done. I bought the album for £7.99 from the HMV high street store but you can definitely get some good deals if you shop around. I think this is a great album, Plus, the fact that the album got her a Grammy award in 2007 obviously means it stands up to the stars previous music attempts.
Advantages: Mediocre RnB Disadvantages: Not original and no stand out tracks
Firstly, I want to say that I was disappointed with this album at first. I love Beyonce and I think she's great but I had higher expectations.
Straight off the bat there were no stand out tracks for me, as most of the tracks on the album you have to grow to love. Compared to other artists today, the production was not great and none of the songs were memorable. I only started to like the songs after they were released or played on the radio.
Her first single, 'Deja Vu' was alright but nothing like 'Crazy In Love'.
The best tracks are:
Track 1: Beautiful Liar ft Shakira; This song has an arabic belly dancing feel along with the video and you can dance to it which is good.
Track 2: Irreplaceble; When I first heard the album I skipped this track, as it was slow and didn't grap my attention. After hearing it a hundred times ...
Advantages: Some top quality songs Disadvantages: not enough of them
Although I personally don't think this album is quite as good as dangerously in love - with a few of the songs a little on the bland side, this album still has loads to offer and is well worth a listen.
I have been listening to this album on my way to work for a good few weeks and am still not fed up of it, which I think is always a good indication.
There are some great catchy upbeat tunes like get me bodied, upgrade u and deja vu with a nice balance of the more soulful tunes that Beyonce does best like irreplaceable.
The only downside for me is that it is a little on the short side but
I would ultimately highly recommend this album. ...
ntlilian34 04.11.2006
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: somewhat helpful Review of Beyonce - B'Day
Advantages: A couple of great ballads, some okay club tunes. Disadvantages: Rather too similar sounding, not an overly gripping album.
"B'Day" is Beyonce's second solo album and is the follow up to her huge first solo album "Dangerously in Love." Prior to her solo career Beyonce made up of a third of American r n b girl group "Destiny's Child" and even from the start was clearly the leader both vocally and talent wise. Her first album found her great success as a solo artist worldwide but even prior to this album being released in the UK there was an immense amount of criticism flying about regarding the quality of it. I was a huge fan of her first album and so decided to have a listen to her second album to see if it lived up to my expectations?
"Déjà Vu" is the first song up on the album and it's as catchy and sexy as I imagine any opening track of Beyonces to be. It's an upbeat song that you won't be able to resist dancing around the room to, not completely ...
blonde_girl774 02.11.2006
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Beyonce - B'Day
Personnel: Beyonce (vocals); Jay-Z (rap vocals). Recording information: Sony Music Studios, New York, NY. Beyonce had little to prove on her second solo outing, B'DAY, having already demonstrated her taste, (solo) vocal prowess, and sparkling star quality on her first post-Destiny's Child release in 2003. Nevertheless, the singer and her crack team of producers and collaborators (R&B's finest, including the Neptunes, Swizz Beats, and Rich Harrison) have come up with a collection that's at least equal to her previous triumphs, and that shows off an almost angry intensity only hinted at on earlier releases. The club hit "Deja Vu," with an extended rap from boyfriend/producer Jay-Z, boasts an addictive bass line that contrasts dramatically with Beyonce's emotive upper register. The haunting "Ring the Alarm" is a multilayered melodrama built around a dizzying minor-key hook that relies on Beyonce's vocal dexterity and newfound fire. Despite the appealing bravado of most of the tracks on B-DAY, the most memorable song is the beautiful lovelorn ballad "Irreplaceable," on which a wounded Beyonce protesteth too much about an errant lover's dispensability. Her nuanced and soul-deep performance suggests the tearful hurt lying at the center of all that anger.
Album Reviews
Rolling Stone (p.69) - 3 stars out of 5 -- "[T]here is endless pleasure in the gliding transitions from Jay-Z's staccato rhymes to Beyonce's own honeyed flow..." Entertainment Weekly (p.158) - "[T]he songs arrive in huge gusts of rhythm and emotion, with Beyonce's voice rippling over clattery beats..." -- Grade: B+ Q (p.149) - 3 stars out of 5 -- "[T]he Nelly-esque 'Get me Bodied', the Neptunes-helmed 'Green Light', with its marvellously cascading chorus, and the super-taut 'Upgrade U' are turbo-charged..." Vibe (p.138) - "[A] generally exhilarating marriage of pop songcraft and state-of-the-art rhythms."
Titles on disc 1
1.
Deja Vu - Beyonce & Jay-Z
2.
Get Me Bodied
3.
Suga Mama
4.
Upgrade U - Beyonce & Jay-Z
5.
Ring The Alarm
6.
Kitty Kat
7.
Freakum Dress
8.
Green Light
9.
Irreplaceable
10.
Resentment
11.
Check On It (bonus track) - Beyonce & Bun B/Slim Thug
12.
Encore For The Fans (hidden track)
13.
Listen (hidden track)
14.
Gettin' Bodied (extended mix/hidden track)
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27/01/2007
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