For the VH1 Divas concert of April 2004, Beyonce wasn't even sniffed at and maybe this album and her 2004 grammy performance are why. No matter how good looking someone can be, which Beyonce is without a doubt, why can't her producers match it by having her use her doubtless singing talent instead of suffocating it with mind-boggling videos and artsy overblown stage productions?

I'll bet she doesn't see much of the ridiculous $23 charged for one disc. Beyonce is an undenaible talent but this album is as far from history making music as any album in recent memory, and she has her producers to blame.


Excellent!   March 23, 2005
Bonnie Ya Beasley (USA)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful

I really love this CD I expessially enjoy #8, and #10, Signs w/ Missy Elliot, and Thats how you like it w/Jay-z. This CD is truely a 5 star record A+!


A truly talented individual!   December 2, 2003
Aleshia-Marie Francis (England)
3 out of 4 found this review helpful

This ray of R'n'B light has kept on shining, even without her trusty backing singers (Kelly and Michelle). This singer/songwriter has done well for herself with her first album as she has managed to perform well vocally as well as lyrically. If you are a Destiny's Child fan, you're sure to fall in love with this album. There's a song on there for everyone.
So have a listen for yourself and see what you think. (If you've ever heard Dangerously in Love on Destiny's Child's album, please, can somebody tell me what the difference is between Beyonce's version, and the trio's version!)


Beautifully Produced On A More Softer R&B Vibe!   July 6, 2009
*lovelygirl*
This Import Asian Edition includes another version of "Crazy In Love" (featuring Vanness Wu) and the bonus songs "Work It Out", "Bonnie & Clyde'03" featuring Jay-Z, plus the hidden track "Daddy". It does not have the Japan bonus song titled, "What's It Gonna Be". It does not include the lyrics or the Super Audio Sound now available on a newer release. The music is definitely a more laid back Beyonce in love. While not all R&B, Pop, or Soul fans are in that particular mood, it does deliver a nice production. Not being huge for sappy lyrics, overly romantic songs talking about making love, or such slow melodies I found it to be less to my satisfaction as compared to her other release titled, B'day [Deluxe Edition]. All in all it is a matter of what you want, your personal tastes, and moods.

"Speechless" is a beautiful slow R&B jam showcasing a much more softer vocal pitch from Beyonce that I particularly enjoy. It has a love vibe of feeling totally in the most romantic of settings with the person of your dreams. Typical hits and stand-out tracks would be "Crazy In Love", "Naughty Girl", "Baby Boy" featuring Sean Paul, "Me, Myself And I", and "Dangerously In Love". Another nice slow jam would be "The Closer I Get To You (Duet with Luther Vandross)".

There are mid-tempo tracks, slow jams, ballads, and some faster paced songs. Not quite the hip-hop featured artists type nor the dance beats like on her album B'Day Get Me Bodied. The theme is apparent love is on the pedestal of the mantel. Songs I found more relatable are "Crazy In Love" since it portrays just how much a person can go wild when in love. The Bonus Track featuring Vanness Wu is very good. There are some fillers which is another drawback. From Destiny's Child's albums full of fire, high paced energetic beats and dance vibes this one just takes the slower R&B edge and departs from that. Featured artists include Missy Elliott, Sean Paul, Jay-Z, Big Boi and Sleepy Brown, Luther Vandross, and Vanness Wu. My ultimate favorite song would be "Dangerously In Love". Once you take the roller-coaster ride of falling head over heals over someone it can be quite dangerous so I can relate. This was sung so eloquently, classic, and beautiful. This was a fantastic album with much to offer the average R&B lover. Hopefully, she will have more albums like B'day. Perhaps her new release coming soon will have just that--faster highly energetic beats. Above & Beyonce Video Collection & Dance Mixes. This is highly recommended but I'd suggest the newer versions with better sound or extras which is the reason for my 3 stars rating.


The best CD I ever got.   May 1, 2004
Mr.Opinion (Dolton, Illinois)
3 out of 5 found this review helpful

This CD will blow you away. This woman has amazing talent and a wonderful and peaceful voice. Her songs are so peaceful and melodic, and the lyrics are incredible. Here is my overall outlook of the CD.

Since I got the regular version, however, Work It Out (one of my fave Beyonce songs) and '03 Bonnie & Clyde aren't on my list.

1.Crazy In Love- 6/10 This song is great. I used to like it a lot when it was made, but since I got the CD a few weeks ago, I kind of dislike it now. But I LOVE the hook.

2.Naughty Girl- 4/10 I don't really like this song that much. It just didn't grab my attention.

3.Baby Boy- 8/10 I LOVE this song. This song has to be one of the best songs on the album. It has that middle-eastern vibe, which I love, and Sean Paul is on it. Even though I can't understand a word he's saying, I love the beat, and Beyonce just makes it even better.

4.Hip Hop Star- 8/10 Another GREAT song. Great beat, but Beyonce didn't put a lot into it vocally. It's still great, though. Big Boi and Sleepy Brown are on this one, and I LOVE Outkast, so it makes it even better.

5.Be With You- 7/10 This song is good. The beat isn't much, but her lyrics are. She copied part of this song from an old school song that I don't know the name of. I love the way she sings, and her lyrics are fantastic.

6.Me, Myself, And I- 3/10 I didn't like this song AT ALL. To me, it was WAY overplayed, and a song like Hip Hop Star could have been put in its place. It was annoying listening to this song over and over again on the radio, but hey, there will be better songs.

7.Yes- 9/10 This song was just great. She sings about her ex-boyfriend, who is obviously rushing into sex, as the songs goes. This song relates to me, because I'm not a fan of rushing into physical things AT ALL. Plus, I like the beat of it.

8.Signs- 8/10 This song is also good. I like the beat, and the way she rhymes everything. (Capricorn, Aquarius, Pisces, Aries) Missy Elliot, one of my FAVE female rappers is also on this song. However, I did hear a little reversing of the lyrics (Missy's touch, probably.) which made her sound like she was saying something in Chinese. But, the song was excellent.

9.Speechless- 8/10 This is a straight-up LOVE-MAKING song. This song is great! I love the lyrics, especially, and from the beat of the song, I knew it suggested something sexual. The first time I listened to it, I was thinking, WOW! At first I thought it was nasty (only sweat between us.....) , but now I think it's just good.

10.That's How You Like It- 6/10 This song is okay. It was nothing special, but I liked the beat of it. Jay-Z, her boyfriend (or should I say husband?) lended some words on the song. It was an okay song.

11.The Closer I Get To You- 2/10 I didn't like this song not ONE BIT. It was kind of boring, and I always skip this song. It's the only song on the album that I will completely skip.

12.Dangerously In Love- 6/10 This song is pretty good. Once again, her lyrical flow proves successful. She sings about her ex-boyfriend (because in the song, she sings, "you loved me before I became who I am."). It was good, but it tooker like 20 MINUTES to sing the end of the song. When she performed it on the Grammys (which she won 5 AWARDS! Go girl!), I was laughing because everyone was clapping even though she wasn't done. I don't know if she was stalling for that dove to come, or if it was part of the song, but it was a good performance. I'm getting away from the point. Good song, but not that special to me.

13.Beyonce Interlude- 7/10 Although she was just talking, she said something that I really liked: Your love goes beyond what I can say. That was so beautiful. She really loves the guy she's singing about.

14.Gift From Virgo- 10/10 This song is SO GOOD! It made me CRY once. She loves this guy sooo much! The part that made me tear up was when she goes, "when it's time to leave, it's so hard to say goodbye..". It was TOO beautiful. I wish this was the end of the CD though, because the next song made me cry even harder.

15.Daddy- 10/10 I give this song a full score, because it had great lyrics, and made me cry. HARD. She sings about her father, and I was just thinking about my dad when she sang it. I got teary when I heard it. Such a beautiful song. However, I can't listen to it anymore because I don't wanna cry from it!

Overall Score:110 Possible Score:150

This CD was just great. I bought it beause I love Beyonce, and because I just KNOW who she is talking about in every song. (Jay-Z) I love hearing her voice, and I know I didn't waste my money on this album.