Beyoncé Album: “Dangerously in Love [Japan Bonus Tracks]”

There are few artists in the music industry that have been the subject of such intense hype - in this respect, Beyonce is in a class all by herself. Her record label, along with mass media outlets, made Destiny's Child seem like the second coming from the moment their debut album was released - apparently the listening public bought into this but I personally didn't hear anything from them that hadn't already been done by 702, SWV, and more importantly, Diana Ross & The Supremes.

This is the debut solo release from Beyonce Knowles, diva extraordinaire, and it hasn't even come close to justifying all the hype that has surrounded its release. The first single "Crazy In Love" drives a tired horn sample into the ground (whatever happened to using live instrumentation?) juxtaposed with an irritating, repetitive chorus that Beyonce only talks her way through - Jay-Z might state that it's "history in the making" but I don't buy it for a second. Then we have "Naughty Girl", which has some dopey cringe-inducing lyrics and a shameless cop of Donna Summer's "Love To Love You Baby". Then, in the track that follows, "Baby Boy", we get more uninspired lyrics - Beyonce yearns for the child that she sees in her dreams and thinks about all the time over a lifeless pseudo-sitar hook (popularized by Missy Elliott - does Beyonce have any original ideas in her head?). After this, the album falls into slow jams with comatose arrangements and all the passion and energy of a snail, not to mention overwrought vocals from Beyonce (doesn't anyone know the meaning of restraint these days?). Maybe I was expecting too much, but all the publicity that this album received set me up for something greater than what I heard.

In summary: A disappointing debut from the ubiquitous Beyonce. She does have talent, but isn't applying it correctly - she needs to utilize better control over her voice and while her attempts at songwriting are admirable, they're also weak ... perhaps she should turn to outside songwriters for stronger material. There's better stuff out there - the hype for this album turned out to be hollow.

The fact that this won 5 Grammys speaks on the state of music, the joke that the Grammys have become, and what stylish packaging can do. Her voice is better than the likes of Britney Spears yet I found Britney's album to be more entertaining minus the even more limited vocals-- this coming from an R&B fan. Like Ashanti, her song-writing ability is elementary. The difference is, with acts like Ashanti you are not set up to expect much. It is what it is, like it or leave it. Beyonce, on the other hand, has been branded a 'diva' as if she is a standard for the new crop of singers. Sporting high heels and weave doesn't make a diva. This album is garbage.

I didn't believe that I would ever say something like this, but I love Beyonce. I've never liked her. I never thought she could sing. I didn't think she could write. But all of these thoughts were dispelled when I got her cd. I figured I'd get it because I found it for ten dollars and I liked "Crazy In Love". So here is what I found:

1. "Crazy in Love"- good song, of course. it's always on the radio

2. "Naughty girl"- like most of her cd, has an old school feel. also has a good beat. good song

3. "Baby Boy"- with Sean Paul, good song. good beat.

4. "Hip Hop Star"- great beat, different and typical of Outkast. Big Boi is in the song.

5. "Be With You"- another old school beat. this song is one of my favorites.

6. " Me, Myself And I"- Another favorite of mine. Great lyrics and a relaxing, laid back feel

7. " Yes"- another good beat. good lyrics. good song

8. " Signs"- produced by Missy Elliott, so of course it's just another good beat on this album. the song is ok, but it sounds like tyrese's new song.

9. " Speechless"- sexy and smooth, the vocals on this song are excellent, another favorite.

10. " That's How You Like It"- I don't really listen to this, I'm not a Jay-Z fan. But I'm sure it's good

11. " The Closer I Get To You"- duet with Luther Vandross. nicely done.

12. " Dangerously in Love 2"- as we all know, this is a Destniy's Child song. I loved this song then and i love it now with its slighty different beat.

13. " Beyonce Interlude"- leads to the next song, spoken

14. " Gift From Virgo"- a love song, cute.

15. I'm not sure what the name of this song is because it is a bonus track. It is a song written for her father, Matthew Knowles. This is a beautiful song. Great lyrics and very touching. Possibly the most heartfelt song on the cd. Excellent.

In conclusion, this is a very good cd. You probably felt like me, wary of purchasing Beyonce's cd. But I'm very happy that I did. I personally love slow songs and there are a good number of them. Each is nicely done. But there are still a few upbeat songs. The vocals are impressive. Her songwriting skills have greatly improved. And the production on the album is excellent, which she did most of. I am shocked and pleasantly surprised that Beyonce has made such a good cd. So go buy it.

I've listened to this album several times and I can say with complete confidence that only 2 songs are decent: "Crazy in Love" & "Baby Boy," both of which were released as singles. The rest of the album is crap filler and a waste of time! I think I would have had more respect for Beyonce if she had released a 2-track CD rather than a 15-track CD with 13 bad songs! I'm still shocked and somewhat offended that this album won 5 grammy awards when so many other albums are 100 times more deserving! I advise you not to waste your money on this highly mediocre album!!

I love Beyonce's first two singles, "Crazy In Love" and "Baby Boy"! So I decided to download this and hear the rest of the album, as I had high hopes for this release. Really, I did! And boy, was I disappointed. The only other song that's single material is "Naughty Girl". "Baby Boy" is where the list of good tracks ends!! The rest of the album is slow and repetitive. I can't tell one song from the next, which is why I'm not doing a song-by-song analysis. Instead of singing like with Destiny's Child and her first two singles on the solo album, she pulls a Mariah Carey and whisper sings the entire album! Bottom line: Wait for the next Destiny's Child album!!