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...


Excellent CD, worth the wait!!   June 24, 2003
T. Holliman (Sherman Oaks, CA)
20 out of 23 found this review helpful

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


Tired   April 26, 2004
15 out of 17 found this review helpful

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 don't understand what all the commotion is about   April 22, 2004
Forest Law (Lakewood, NJ)
11 out of 12 found this review helpful

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.


Shocked and Pleasantly Surprised   July 1, 2003
14 out of 16 found this review helpful

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.