Product Description

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 crackteam of producers and collaborators (R&B's finest, including the Neptunes, Swizz Beats, and Rich Harrison) have come upwith 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.

Track Listing

1. Deja Vu - feat. Jay-Z
2. Get Me Bodied
3. Suga Mama
4. Upgrade U - feat. Jay-Z
5. Ring the Alarm
6. Kitty Kat
7. Freakum Dress
8. Green Light
9. Irreplaceable
10. Resentment

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #12108 in Music
• Released on: 2006-09-04
• Number of discs: 1

Amazon.co.uk Review
History may prove Beyoncé's B'Day to be a rare double-whammy of an achievement. Not only is it destined to hold up as one of the thumpingest, most polished-sounding discs of 2006, it's also bound to loose a new phrase into the popular lexicon: a "freekum dress" (n.), as described on a same-named track halfway through this excellent CD, is a "right-fittin'" garment owned by every woman; "when they act wrong, that's when you put it on." Linguistic hijinks aside, here is Beyoncé as the public rarely sees her: fully liberated and artistically fearless. "Ring the Alarm," a big-banging, fire-alarm-clanging wake-up call to a cheating man, finds her seething; "Kitty Kat," a feline-like size-up of a stale relationship helped along by the still innovative Neptunes, shows her spurned; the womanly, fire-in-the-belly come-on "Suga Mama" gets her way, way worked up; and the crackling, vocally volcanic "Resentment" steeps her in Aretha-caliber soul. For all the disc's solo trailblazing, though, where it really soars is on one of two duets with Jay-Z: While "Up Grade U" chugs along entertainingly enough about the good life ("I'm talkin' spa bags and fly pads and rooms at the Bloomberg"), opener "Deja Vu" blasts out a bomp-bomp beat nobody with a head to nod could resist. Cake, candles, and Cristal or no, B'Days rarely get this good. --Tammy La Gorce

Customer Reviews

B'Day
"Beautiful Nightmare", a supposed track leaked from this year is already a sign that the Destiny Child's vocalist is creeping back. Beyonce's new album will be an addition to the music market this autumn so I think B'Day deserves a retrospective look.

#1 - 'Deja Vu' - The first single from the album, many people compared this to 'Crazy in Love'. It has a growly, jazzy Louisiana-esque sound to it, mixed with Jay-Z's hip-hop verses. I think this was a good choice for the first single and sounds even better when she sings it live.

#2 - 'Get Me Bodied' - This song is huge favourite with so many people I know! It is an enjoyable song but I must admit, it is one of my least favourite songs on the album. Swizz Beatz produced it and I just feel like his beats sound so derivative of 'Tambourine' or whatever. It is an alright song but not buzz worthy.

#3 - 'Suga Mama' - This song has a guttural quality to it and very pro-feminist but again, I don't think it has a special quality. Produced by Rich Harrison who did 'Creole' and 'Crazy in Love', the former song which I think should have been on B'Day.

#4 - 'Upgrade U' - This is very much a club track which has that feel-good-sheen to it. This is a Swizz offering that I do like however because it is not as OTT as 'Get Me Bodied'.

#5 - 'Ring The Alarm' - Now, we are talking! This is angry and fierce. Beyonce can really strut when she sings - she does great with attitude laden songs and this is now exception.

#6 - 'Kitty Kat' - This is one of the two stand-out songs. It is such a sensual song and Beyonce's voice suits it so well. I am always used to her singing rousing choruses but she can do slow-paced songs too!

#7 - 'Freakum Dress' - This is a Rich Harrison banger! Feminist anthem or what?

#8 - 'Green Light' - This is my second stand-out track of the album. Fabulous thumping beat pared with progressive lyrics about female liberation - this is exactly the type of song that Beyonce perfects. Some people think this sounds like an Amerie-ish song but I don't think so at all. This song is like the equivalent of power dressing - just oozes pure sex appeal from each stanza.

#9 - 'Irreplaceable' - I can see why many people like this song but I don't. I did not like it when I first heard it and looking back, I still don't. It does stand out to me but she does carry it off.

#10 - 'Resentment' - I don't even remember how this song goes but I think they should have put Creole as the final track instead.

Verdict: A slick album from the Queen of R&B. I wonder what Autumn 2008 will hold.

An improvement on the first album...
Shorter and more concise as a record. Lots of potential hits. Tedious bonus track in the form of "Listen". Still needs to learn English grammar. A lot better than the sludge she produced for Dangerously in Love.

Okay LP, but.............why is she such a big star?
Okay, I'll admit, I'm always on the fence when it comes to our beloved "B". Just when I think I've made my mind up, she draws me in with a catchy hook and fly verse. But I always make the mistake on thinking the whole album will be dope, & in this case, I really did make a mistake.

B'Day is Beyonce's sophomore record and was led by the #1 single "Deja Vu (featuring none other than the master, Jay-Z himself). I really wasn't mad for Deja Vu. I mean, it was a good enough song - just no "Crazy In Love". Nonetheless, it did the trick for B and went straight in at #1. The only reason I purchased the record was when I heard second single "Irreplaceable" One of Beyonce's best songs to date for sure!

Where to start on the album? Well it's basically the same as her ever disappointing debut. Only this time, instead of it being the ballad type songs that suck, it's mostly the up-tempos. Beyonce' has this thing with annoying repetitive choruses - it starts to way rather thin after a while - almost tiresome. The "I think I'm Tina Turner attituide" does nothing for her. She in no where near that level yet - so where did this arrogance come from??

I've always said. If B hadn't been in Destinys Child, she would be no where near as popular today as she is.

There are 12 tracks on here, and out of the twelve there are 4 great tracks.

*Get Me Bodied
*Upgrade U (Feat. Jay-Z)
*Ring The Alarm
*Irreplaceable

If you want a better album I suggest you check out Amerie's "Because I Love It" or Ciara's "The Evolution".

This is so below average, It makes you wonder why she's so famous at all!

I'm stumped.