With her latest effort, "B'Day," Miss Beyonc?(c) Knowles continues to solidify her reign as the top pop diva while shattering the expectations of a sophomore slump. The album showcases Beyonce's role as an outstanding performer while flaunting her exceptional lyricism.
During the filming of her new movie "Dreamgirls," opening Dec. 22, she found an emotional release by recording on her time off. The album encompasses a wide assortment of sentiments, from rage to happiness, in one beautiful package.
"B'Day" is not the soundtrack to "Dreamgirls," but the album was certainly inspired by it. Energetic and emotionally charged tracks such as "Ring the Alarm" and "Upgrade U" find Beyonc?(c) touching on the ups and downs of relationships and commenting on what it takes to make them work. Beyonc?(c) gets fed up on the track "Kitty Kat" and decides it's time to move on with "Irreplaceable."
While straying from the balladic tone of her debut album, "Dangerously In Love," "B'Day" consists primarily of up-tempo tracks with a few digressions to her soulful roots in "Resentment" and "Suga Mama."
The influence of Destiny's Child can be heard in her work, despite the fact that in the past few years she has began to move in her own direction. "B'Day" is assertive yet passionate and reminiscent of the themes on DC's album, "Survivor."
Almost every woman can identify with some aspect of this album. Should it not tickle listeners, the song "Get Me Bodied" will at least make listeners run for the club.
Wanting total creative freedom, Beyonc?(c) set out to make this album without her label having initial knowledge of it. She created something that is truly personal, and her efforts should prove to be well received.
