Of course, you can always count Jigga to appear on his girlfriend's album. Now, I'm not afraid of admitting that I do find "Crazy in Love" catchy, and I don't have much problem with "That's How You Like It" (although the song is basically based on repeating the hook), but I don't find either innovative or fresh; They're basically the remixed versions of J's -'03 Bonnie & Clyde-. "Hip Hop Star" is completely scarred with dumb-rhymes by Big Boi & Sleepy Brown. But even with that said, the song isn't much on it's own either. "Signs" lacks substance in lyrics. It's like being taught a lesson on astrology; it doesn't take much talent to just recite the zodiac signs. "Speechless" is 6 minutes of Beyonce rambling about loving somebody & repeating, "you got me" here and there. "Me, Myself and I" is "Survivor (Part 2)"; YET ANOTHER "my boyfriend cheated on me, but I'll be strong" song we've heard so many times. The duet with Luther Vandross is, I'll admit, the best performance of Beyonce on the album... but that still isn't saying much; Luther is the one we're really listening to on this track. "Dangerously In Love 2" isn't much of a difference from the Destiny's Child version (big surprise...). It's just a slight variation in the beat. And I hope there's a good return policy for the "gift from Virgo"

Although this album has MTV stamped all over it, I can't help but admit that the hooks are catchy. "Naughty Girl", although the song fails to go anywhere, has an addictive chorus and sexy beat. "Baby Boy" also has an addictive chorus but with a middle-influenced beat and features Sean Paul.

There is one song, however, that's catchy, sexy, not necessarily innovative, but defiantly not immature, the mid-tempo "Be With you".

Well, when it comes down to it... this album is based on catchy choruses and collaborations. I think Beyonce is rushing the songs. She (or whoever is writing them) needs to put more substance into the lyrics of the song because most of them fall bland. And I've noticed that her voice appeals only when she harmonizes... doesn't that say something? Well anyway, this album is just what I'd expect from Beyonce. I can't say I love the album, but I'm not satisfied either. She has the potential, but I'm afraid she too "crazy in love" with being popular...

10 of 10 found the following review helpful:


Give it up!  Nov 15, 2003
Save your money. Trust me, why settle for these really bad remixes she attempted to make when you can buy Mariah Carey's "Remixes". She knows how to do it. Just face it Beyonce, Mariah's "Heartbreaker" with Jay-Z is better than your "Crazy in Love" with Jay-Z. Mariah's duet with Luther "Endless Love" is better than yours with Luther. Please get original or give up.

23 of 27 found the following review helpful:


I don't understand what all the commotion is about  Apr 22, 2004 By Forest Law
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.

23 of 27 found the following review helpful:


Excellent CD, worth the wait!!  Jun 24, 2003 By T. Holliman
This album is really good! Been a true fan of Beyonce and Destiny's Child since the beginning. Her album shows that sista girl has grown up. LOL Here's my comments and ratings for each song.

- Crazy in Love (10/10) great song for her debut
- Naughty Girl (9/10) cool
- Baby Boy (10/10) nice song with Sean Paul
- Hip Hop Star (7/10) it's ok
- Be with you (9/10) nice slow jam
- Me, Myself and I (9/10)
- Yes (10/10) pretty nice beat
- Signs (10/10) Missy knows how to do it!
- Speechless (6/10) really slow and drawn out, cool though
- That's How You Like It (8/10) its ok,
- The Closer I get to you (9/10) great collaboration with the legendary Luther Vandross
- Dangerously in Love 2 (8/10) should have left the original version from last DC album, love the song though.
- Gift From Virgo (8/10) cool ending
- Daddy - Bonus Track (9/10) nice tribute to her dad.

Overall it's a good album. Even if you're a Beyonce hater, just accept that she's a great writer and producer. She's really good. Great work!! Hope it helps

16 of 18 found the following review helpful:


Dangerously bored or How to crash a plane ...  Oct 21, 2003 By Bruno Emanuel Silva
When you start hearing track one, you take off smoothly over known territory.

At track two, the weather keeps on getting finer and you inform all passengers you are having a good time, and it reaches a climax when track three arrives. You feel you are ongoing your best journey ever.

Then, all of a sudden, track four starts to play and storm clouds start to build on the horizon. By track seven, thunders and tornados start to shake your plane violently. You can't believe in what has just happened ... how a wonderful take off could degenerate in such terrible conditions.

By track 13, all your passengers are sick with nausea, some have fainted and some have even left the plane though they had no parachute. It was simply a case of pure despair.

Then, track 15 arrives and you have a feeling the sun is coming back again and the weather is improving. But then, alas, you look at your fuel reserves and you come to understand that you have wasted too much gas already and it is simply too late to regain control of the plane.

By track 16, the mountain is finally there and the crash is unavoidable. There are no survivors.

Want to miss this trip? It's simple ... just ignore this CD. Buy the single and be contempt.

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