Disco de Beyoncé: “B'Day (Deluxe Edition)”

The release of the original version of B'Day came at the perfect time in my life. It came out the day before I had to return to work after my summer break and I was depressed, not only by that, but also by other things going on in my life. On September 5, 2006, I went to the music store and bought two copies. (I now own four copies, including the deluxe edition). I opened it and shoved the CD in my car stereo. What I heard changed my life. The songs were flawlessly produced and Beyoncé's vocal delivery was energetic, enthusiastic, swaggering, powerful and charismatic. Every song was amazing. Never have upbeat songs been graced with such beautiful, complex harmonies! It is now my favorite album of all time, even though I have had countless people shake their heads and laugh at this statement. (I plan to have many more after posting this review, too.) This album offered me an escape from my problems that even Mary J. Blige's My Life and Me'Shell NdegéOcello's Bitter couldn't bring to me, and for this I am thankful.

Considering this, I promise to give an absolutely truthful review that will answer the essential question at hand: does it live up to, or is it better than, the original? I feel no need to review songs from the original because you've most likely heard them on the radio, bought the album and/or seen the videos. Plus, I pretty much thought it was flawless.

There has been some confusion and I'd like to clear it up. The deluxe edition is a two-disc set. It comes with the expanded version of the original and a bonus disc with Spanish songs. It does NOT come with all of the videos. To obtain the videos recorded for each song, there is a DVD that you must buy separately from the CD set, which is exclusively available at Wal-Mart stores and on their website, or at least for the time being. (By the way, the DVD is definitely worth the purchase. The videos are amazing and very amusing.) Now that we've got that cleared up... let's move on to the new additions.

"Beautiful Liar," which was initially leaked on the Internet with only Beyoncé's vocals in November, is a little disappointing. It has a great theme and the song is alright, but the production is a little stale and uninspired to me. I also don't think Shakira's vocals mix well with Ms. Knowles'. Either way, it is pretty enjoyable and the dramatic, almost opera-like vocals from both women are nice. Can't say it fits the environment of the overall album, though.

The next new track, "Welcome To Hollywood," is simply a version of Jay Z's "Hollywood" with only Beyoncé singing. Nothing more, nothing less. (Good thing she left him out, because he already appears on here twice.) I wasn't a big fan of the song in the first place and always found the production to fall flat, but this version is an improvement. I love her blasting vocals and she gives the song a more cohesive sound.

Now "Flaws & All" is what I'm talking about! A common complaint towards the original B'Day was it barely had any ballads that made her debut such a hit. Here, B delivers a beautifully confessional song where she admits she has flaws and glitches. In the first few seconds of the song, she declares "I'm a train wreck in the morning / I'm a b---h in the afternoon." Wow! She has ups and downs, but her man (cough cough, Jay Z) loves her anyway, and that's why she loves him. It truly is beautiful and the melody is amazing. This is a welcome addition to the album, for me.

"Still In Love (Kissing You)" is another superb ballad, which was originally done by Desiree for the Rome + Juliet soundtrack. Beyoncé inserts some of her own lyrics to make the song more personal and she definitely does the song justice. It took a few listens to get used to because the production is very minimal, but it is a beautiful track nonetheless. In the last few seconds of the song, she proclaims that she loves her man "more than music." And we know how much she loves music. It's very touching and romantic.

The last new addition to the first disc is a hidden track that comes after "Listen." It is titled "World Wide Woman," which leaked on the Internet earlier this year. It has a very laid-back, spring/summer feel to it and I personally love it. It doesn't necessarily fit with the rest of B'Day, but I suppose that's why it's hidden. I'm glad it was included, though.

It was originally intended that Beyoncé would release a Spanish album, but that apparently fell apart. To not put the tracks to waste, some of them were put on the bonus disc, which is pretty much here just for added value. It includes the "Spanglish" version of "Beautiful Liar," which was actually the original version before Shakira stepped in. It features Sasha, Beyoncé's alter-ego, on the Spanish lines. I personally prefer this version to the original. The "remix" is not much different from the original, kind of useless. Same background music and everything. The version of "Beautiful Liar" completely in Spanish, "Bello Embustero," is also included. "Irreemplazable," the Spanish version of the ten-week number one hit "Irreplaceable" is very nice. The beautiful tone of her voice is preserved even when she is singing in Spanish and it sounds quite authentic. The same applies to "Listen (Oye)." I was rather impressed. "Amor Gitano" is enjoyable. But the real treat is the Nortena Remix of "Irreemplazable." It has accordions in it! Quite a refreshing combination!

So, back to the essential question: does it live up to the original? Was it worth it? As a fan, I was ecstatic for some new material. But for the casual music listener... it may not be necessary. "Still In Love (Kissing You)," "Flaws & All" and "Worldwide Woman" were welcome additions, but I would've preferred to have tracks such as "Creole," "Lost Yo Mind" or numerous others to replace "Beautiful Liar" and "Welcome To Hollywood." (I wish she would release an album of all the songs not released and call it B'Sides... eh?) Also, the addition of the new songs sacrifices the cohesive environment which existed in the original. The bonus disc feels out place. It is really not essential and it would've been much better if the DVD were included, even if it did raise the price tag a bit.

Bottom line: Overall, it's still great, but it doesn't live up to the original for me because now there is some filler that pollutes this album. If you are a fan, this is excellent. If you are more of a casual listener and you have already purchased B'Day, I would listen to samples (which are readily available all over) and see if you think it's worth it. You probably won't find it absolutely necessary, even though the price is right, kids!

Most disappointing album of 2006 so far. The warning sign was there, even before the album officially hit the streets. In the time leading up to its release, the album cover art was here on Amazon and I could only think: "Beyonce is easily one of the ten most naturally beautiful singers today...why put her on the cover sporting the same eerie expression as a blow-up doll?" (I don't think this was supposed to be intentionally experimental, like a Bjork album cover.) It would prove prophetic, since actually listening to the album confirms the worst: it SOUNDS just as synthetic and soulless, too. In essence, "B'Day" is the musical equivalent of a Jerry Bruckheimer-produced movie: Millions of dollars thrown into production without any ideas laid down as a foundation. And if the album has a musical cousin, it would be any one of the last few Michael Jackson albums, with the same, shrill feel to their songs. (Just remember the annoying "Scream" as point of reference.) It would have been enough at the very least for "B'Day" to repeat the formula that made "Dangerously in Love" successful. Maybe the bar was raised with the release of Christina Aguilera's "Back to Basics," an album that is light on its feet, bursting with life, and, above all, sexy and FUN. But then again...so was "Dangerously." Who sucked all the life out of the Beyonce of "Crazy in Love" and "Baby Boy" and replaced her here with a human jackhammer without an ounce of sublety or nuance? The plodding beats behind her are annoying enough (and present throughout) -- does she have to impersonate them, too? Beyonce has a VOICE, and she actually used it in "Dangerously." "B'Day" just turns it into another instrument and chops it up in the mix. Any song can serve as an example, but the worst and most tone-deaf is "Ring the Alarm." Expressing anger can be healthy, but buying the album and having to listen to this song more than once is similar to listening to your best friend b*tch and moan over and over about the same bad relationship. Spend two extra dollars for Christina's new double album to get twice the quantity AND quality AND feel good about life. Or even spend two dollars less for the other ex-Destiny's Child, Letoya, and at least have your low expectations exceeded AND own a sexy album cover.

Not a bad album, just don't listen to this expecting her to pick up where her last one left off. This CD goes in such a different, harder, edgier route that it can throw off the listeners ears quite easily. Like a few others on here mentioned it may take some to "get used" to this new style for Beyonce but if you do manage to do that then this will be an enjoyable album. In my opinion, "Irreplaceable" should be her next single, easily the catchiest song on there.

I am truly dissapointed! I was always a B fan since she was w/DC but this girl has gone crazy! All B does is scream throughout this whole album.

1. Deja Vu 8/10 This song is OK. I actually liked this song until i saw the video for it. Why is B acting like a "video hoe" in her own video? Where's the class she used to have?

2. Get Me Bodied 7/10 This song is just Ok. I mean, just b/c it's done by Swiss Beats doesn't automatically make it a hit. It's Ok.

3. Suga Mama 9/10 This is my favorite song on the album. Even though I'm not too thrilled with the lyrics (minus 1 point)the song itself is funky and different for B.

4. Ugrade U 9/10 I actually really like this song too but minus another point b/c the song is with and about Jay Z AGAIN for the 50th time!

5. Ring the Alarm 7/10 This song is Ok even though B is bitin' off Kelis's style. But again it's something different for B, and different is Ok as long as we are going in the right direction.

6. Kitty Kat 1/10 Now what the heck is this?! The only reason why I have to give this song a 1 is b/c the beat is nice. But this song is really the worst on the whole album. What is B talking/singing about? Corny!

7. Freakum Dress 2/10 Another one that is just terrible! Why? Freakum dress? How old are we now? Corny!

8. Green Light 3/10 The only thing I like about this song is the chorus . But it sounds too much like Crazy In Love.

9. Irreplaceable 8/10 Now this song is nice. The words are Ok and appropriate and the beat is nice.

10. Resentment 7/10 This song is also nice but B oversings it.

Bonus Tracks Forget it! Terrible! And why the dumb remix! Plus B again oversings that theme song from Dreamgirls.(and why do they continue to give B acting roles in major movies? Her acting is TERRIBLE!)

Like I said-disappointed. B can really sing. She is beautiful on the outside and from what I've heard she is also beautiful on the inside. So why? Why act like a slut? Even in most of the pictures for this album, B looks like a prostitute! In a recent interview w/Sway (from MTV) B says that she is now a woman in response to her "sluttiness" in the video for Deja Vu. Is this what being a woman is about?! I mean, come on! It's a shame on how many people are going to sweat this album just b/c it's Beyonce (and Jay Z). There are artists that are really taking the time to put out good music and won't get the recognition they deserve but this girl (B) rushes and takes 2 weeks and puts out trash just like she did with the last DC album. And people continue to swallow this crap (which is probably why she feels she can get away with it). Speaking of good music-want to hear some GOOD music? Buy Kelis Was Here! Now that's an EXCELLENT cd!

I hate to say this because I LOVE Ms. Beyonce. I have seen her live twice - she is gorgeous, her voice is amazing, her presence is electrifying - I dare say mesmerizing ; she is the ULTIMATE performer.

That's the good news. The bad news is: B'Day sucks. And not just a little bit. She doesn't need to release anymore singles - the album's best offerings are already on the radio. The 3 stars really represent 2 stars for the album and a bonus star because it's Beyonce.

This album disappointed me on many different levels. From the ridiculous darn-near-naked shots in the CD case to the overly simplistic songs. The music on B'Day is banal and hackneyed. In an MTV interview she said that it took 2 weeks to make the album. On the CD she says that it came "so effortlessly". NOTE-TO-B: 2 weeks isn't long enough, sweetheart and you get out what you put in - no effort = whack record.

I say all of this and yet I adore this girl as an artist and I will wait for her 3rd album, because this one didn't cut it. The lyrics are disappointing and the beats are average. This pales in comparison to Dangerously in Love by leaps and bounds. It lacks the sophistication of the last Destiny's Child project and simply fails to showcase Beyonce for the star that she truly is. There are worse CDs out there - but really a star of her caliber should be more discerning about releases. Lyrics like "You must not know 'bout me" and "Stick out your butt...put your freakum dress on" are beyond tired. Whether she was inspired by the Dreamgirls character Deena or not, is of little concern when the CD is a virtual flop. "Deja Vu" (something that grew on me after seeing her perform) and "Ring the Alarm" save the album and "Upgrade You" is fun to listen to - although all of the ridiculous materialistic references are annoying and disappointing. These things do not a diva make.

I hope that Beyonce realizes that this was not representative of her best work or her extraordinary talent. Thankfully for fans, she can do better. Luckily for her, her fans will forgive her for the transgression of this abysmal, lackluster project.

Here's to hoping that the 3rd time is a charm!