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I always review albums months after purchasing them so I can give an unbiased opinion. I hope this one will help.

Before I say anything, the problem with this album (or least the problem with approaching this album) is people, right off the bat, think "Beyonce... oh! Destiny's Child!" I couldn't possibly think of a worse way to go about listening to this album. Don't think of it as Destiny's Child, but think of it as Beyonce. This is her first solo effort so that could mean anything. Her first single "Crazy In Love" is a trick to make you think most of the album is upbeat and dancable. It worked for me! I have said it before, and I'll say it again - I am a pop-music man, and not ashamed of it. Beyonce's "Dangerously In Love" is not a pop album, (although it does hint at the genre a couple of times) it is an R&B album. Expect upbeat tracks with rap artists making non-sensical noises in the background. Expect potentially good songs towards the beginning, but after a minute and a half, with there being no change in the baseline, percussion or deadened harmonies, the songs quickly losing their appeal. Songs like Baby Boy and Naughty Girl are probably the best songs on the album (and that is probably why those are the first songs on the album.) Songs like Yes, Hip Hop Star and Signs are somewhat catchy, but lacking the zest of the latter tracks. Her remake of Dangerously In Love sounds no different from the original version recorded on the Destiny's Child "Survivor" album and songs such as Speechless, The Close I Get To You and Gift From Virgo and great songs to help you fall asleep during those insomniac hours. Overall, I love Beyonce, she's a great dancer, a great singer and usually a great writer... but with this album, she wasn't all that great.


Not Quite "Dangerous," but Not Half-Bad, Either.   June 27, 2003
 43 out of 56 found this review helpful

I never wanted to do this, but I feel compelled to give Beyonce Knowles some credit. A few years back, we gave her hell for being the stuck-up princess in Destiny's Child, but she ignored the haters and smartly turned herself into a one-lady institution. Burning the candle at both ends under a tight schedule, Beyonce has done modeling, acting, and now she's finally released the solo album we all knew was coming: "Dangerously in Love." The album is sporadically successful in presenting a mature Knowles, but the material doesn't always deliver on its promise to be a powerhouse r&b record. The disc falters mainly on the uptempo tunes, many of which just don't kick. "Naughty Girl" falls flat even as it borrows the groove from Donna Summer's "Love to Love You Baby;" "Baby Boy" is dumbed-down dancehall fluff featuring reggae flavor du jour Sean Paul, and "Hip Hop Star" with Sleepy Brown and Big Boi lacks both the hip and hop to make it remotely danceable. "Dangerously in Love" improves on the ballads which make the best use of Beyonce's voice. You can't say "no" to the seductive groove of "Yes" while Missy Elliott guests on the solid "Signs." And she shows that she can hold her own against an r&b veteran like Luther Vandross on their cover of "The Closer I Get to You." But the album's best track is "Speechless," a slow jam inspired by the old school that's so smokin' it almost saves the rest of the album. "Dangerously in Love" is ultimately spotty and weighed down by too many subpar tracks, but there's enough material to prove that she does have potential when paired with the right collaborators (she co-produced much of the album herself). On a scale of 1 to 10, I'd give it a 6.


"Dangerously" Generic... BUT   July 7, 2003
 33 out of 35 found this review helpful

It's not a surprise; Who didn't know that the debut album of Destiny's Child lead singer, Beyonce Knowles would be fabricated with sappy pop-vocals & oh-so-tired lyrics? Beyonce was always known to hog the spotlight. So that gave me the impression that she would have something more to give on a solo album. Unfortunately, the only thing she gives us is generic Pop-R&B.

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...


WONDERFUL!!!!!!!!   June 25, 2003
 25 out of 35 found this review helpful

Beyonce's debut album is amazing...Every single song is great.

1.) Crazy in Love- 1st single...great upbeat song
2.) Naughty Girl- sexy song..love it
3.) Baby Boy- reggae type song with Sean Paul..love it
4.) It's okay...really don't like big boi
5.) I'd Rather Be...another sexy song...great
6.) Me, Myself and I...I love this song...anthem for ladies who have dogs as boyfriends.
7.) Yes...I love this song...another ballard
8.) Signs...not the best song on the album...but it's ok
9.) Speechless...another sexy song...love it
10.) That's How I Like...I love this song...it's cute
11.) The Closer I Get to U...an oldie but goodie :)
12.) Dangerously In Love 2...I don't really understand the part 2...it's the original song with a slightly different beat.. but it's still a good song.
13.)Beyonce Interlude...u really can;t rate an interlude
14.)Gift from Virgo...in my opinion this is one of the best song's on the album...it's a touching song dedicated to her father...very sweet

All in all Beyonce's debut album is wonderful...she's an amazing singer/songwriter. I hope, as one of her many loyal fans, that she comes out with many more wonderful albums. I give this c.d. 10 fingers up (LOL, just a little joke)


Milk it, baby, for all it's worth!!!   July 27, 2003
 21 out of 27 found this review helpful

How appropriate it is for Knowles to incorporate Donna Summer's "Love to Love You, Baby" on "Naughty Girl". The ubiquitous Miss Knowles is all over the map like Summer was during HER 70's heyday. Perhaps, Summer's is the pattern for which the younger is following. Not a bad icon to emulate.

With that said, it must be noted that "Dangerously in Love" is not very "perilous". It features routine pop/urban fluff with too many guest stars that overshadow Knowles's attempts at independence as a solo artist. Like so many of her contemporaries, the album's length weighs it down. Ten songs, at most, would have elevated the album a notch or two.

The success of this album is, no doubt, driven by the onslaught of the "Crazy in Love" video. The song, by itself, is lyrically unintelligible but it does boast a killer dance beat.

If Knowles really wants to impress, she needs to do a few more like the tasty "Speechless", the strongest track on the album, or a duet on the caliber of her pairing with superstar Luther Vandross ("The Closer I Get to You").

Oh, yeah, food for thought: Summer has an Oscar on her mantle, by the way.