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♫ ALBUM REVIEW: BEYONCE - I AM… SASHA FIERCE

Monday, November 17, 2008

Beyonce gets a little conceptual and reveals a little bit of both sides on her third studio album, I Am… Sasha Fierce, which hits stores and online tomorrow, November 18th.

LISTEN UP:
♫ BEYONCE - DISAPPEAR
♫ BEYONCE - VIDEO PHONE
♫ BEYONCE - HALO

I Am… Sasha Fierce is probably some of Beyonce’s most impressive work to date. Much different from her previous releases, 2006’s B’Day or her acclaimed 2003 debut, Dangerously In Love, Beyonce explores uncharted territories, especially on the ballad-heavy, pop-driven I Am… side.

With the leaking of her first singles, “♫ If I Were A Boy” and “♫ Single Ladies,” bloggers, fans, stans and haters alike knew that it would be time for the Beyonce media blitz.


Collaborating with the likes of Ryan Tedder, (responsible for OneRepublic and Timbaland’s huge hit, “Apologzie,” as well as Leona Lewis’s “Bleeding Love”) on the second single, “Halo,” as well as Toby Cad, Amanda Ghost, and the production team known as Stargate, Beyonce really delivers some of her most straight-forward vocal performances ever, over beautifully produced tracks. Stand-out tracks from the I Am… side include the Tricky Stewart & The Dream-assisted “Smash Into You,” the airy and eerie “Satellites,” the huge popera, “Halo,” and the very understated beauty of “Disappear.”

Sasha Fierce was a little hard for me to get into at first. When Beyonce announced that this would be a more “dance”-driven side, I assumed Sasha would be offering up a flurry of bombastic, techno-driven Europop sounds much like the leak, “Beautiful Nightmare,” which was retooled and renamed “Sweet Dreams” for the album.

Instead, Beyonce taps into her more edgy, urban side on tracks like the Bangladesh-produced, Sean Garrett-penned “Diva,” her stab at Lil’ Wayne’s boast and gloat, “A Millie.” She chants: “Na-na-na, diva is a female version of a hustlaaaa…” and raps lines like, “Fifty million ’round the world and they say that I couldn’t get it/I done got so sick and filthy with Benjis, I can’t spend it!” as well as “Video Phone.” The high points on this side of the album, for me, however, lie in the techno-synth ode, “Radio,” the confidently pleading, “Hello,” and the Jim Jonsin/Rico Love knocker, “Sweet Dreams.”

All in all, I’m glad that Beyonce stepped it up and stepped out her shell a little bit for the album. She definitely put something on there for everyone, from your pop ballads, to your hood anthems and dance numbers. I Am… Sasha Fierce seems like it will turn out to be my favorite Beyonce effort yet.

myspace.com/beyonce

Preview the whole album on Beyonce’s MySpace and make sure you pick up your copy of I Am… Sasha Fierce tomorrow, November 18th!

322 CommentsCOMMENT?

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322 Comments


COMMENT PAGES: « 1 2 3 4 [5] Show All

301.

Tamara

Wednesday, November 19, 2008 /

I don’t like this CD. It will sell because of her. Can we please talk about someone else? Beyonce is just doing too much!!!!! Growing sick of her.

302.

Da Best

Wednesday, November 19, 2008 /

This album is doing really well. It’s sold out everywhere and it’s gotten great reviews. I’m OVERLY IMPRESSED with her vocal powers on here. She even hit a #6 note in a few of the songs!

Beyonce is the best b*tch in this game.

303.

Thank You

Wednesday, November 19, 2008 /

Thank You Beyonce for being the beautiful woman you are
Thank You Beyonce for carrying yourself like a woman at all times
Thank You Beyonce for giving me THIS HOT C.D.!!!!
Thank You Beyonce for haivng such an AMAZING VOICE!!!
Thank You Beyonce for ALWAYS UPGRADING YOURSELF
Thank You Beyonce for ACTUALLY HAVING TALENT
Thank You Beyonce for holding down the ladies always
Thank You Beyonce for ALWAYS BEING HUMBLE
Thank You Beyonce for constantly challenging yourself musically
Thank You Beyonce for being the HCIG!!!

304.

CGJ

Wednesday, November 19, 2008 /

The “Beyonce” side is too pop for me - there is no soul. The “Sasha Fierce” side is too ghetto and pop.

She didn’t need to go pop to be iconic - ask Aretha and Mary J.

I bought it. I supported. Hopefully it grows on me.

Can’t wait til Brandy’s “Human” drops.

305.

TOREALFOR YA

Wednesday, November 19, 2008 /

man this cd literally SUCKZ !!! i usually love beyonce and i have been a fan since destinys child first came out , but i have to honestly say i am very very very very very very disappointed n the album……. she needs to find herself and fast.. yes the fans love her and she is always gonna be a performer but honestly do u fell that she is overrated at times.. j. hud and jas sullivan will blow her out the water,, but they cant dance like her but thier singing is amazin!!! but hopefully in the fututre… she will get it together…..

306.

TOYA

Thursday, November 20, 2008 /

Alot of people just flip thru music and dont listen to the music these people typically like everything thats on the radio, artist understand this so they make that basic stuff that simple people listen too. But if you actually listen and stop listening to find that catchy track …..That Ave maria is beautiful it almost had me in tears and i think you have to be in love to feel that one that much Ave maria means hail mary she speaks about mary at first then she compares her love to this her heaven on earth its too deep for them radio listeners u know …. BUT I LOVE every song in it own little way
People stop haten that why we cant get no good music out these artist cuz we got the radio listeners out here makin it hard am glad to hear music that got meaning great job B

307.

To

Thursday, November 20, 2008 /

yeah I think you being a little too nice but its agreeable

308.

June21

Thursday, November 20, 2008 /

Only good tune on tha album is EGO- LMAO Beyonce wit that tune!!

309.

Tiara

Thursday, November 20, 2008 /

The only thing I’m miffed about is how the iTunes version of the Deluxe album gonna be 13.99 AND include an extra song (save the hero) but my version I got from Best Buy which is normally 20.00 (on sale for 14.99) is lacking it? That just DOESNT make sense to me. Other than that It was cool.

310.

Tiara

Thursday, November 20, 2008 /

See…I just listened to it again and I’m ofically pissed! That song is FIRE! I stay tryna not bootleg and THIS is the thanks I get? Welp, Limewire here I come….

311.

D

Friday, November 21, 2008 /

@69

Saying that Jay’s “bottom fell out” is ridiculous. Both of them as a couple they are banking majorly…not just in the world of music

(http://omg.yahoo.com/news/hollywoods-top-earning-couples/15620?nc)

And DIVA is just a fun song…thats it. The album seems to be in sections. First half more radio-friendly…and even stuff to garner her a little critical acclaim (The “Ave Maria” covered was the sh*t on a cracker..in my opinion, haha). And making a comparison to Usher is bullshit. True…he hypes himself up as the “King of R&B” but he cant back that up. he’s had hit singles..but he hasnt had the crossover into other markets that B has. I see her more traditional fans maybe not being so big on this album, but I also think that those doubters will be replaced, by new and maybe even more fans who see her heart in this project…

312.

fiona

Monday, November 24, 2008 /

this albulm is crazy and trully horrible i am a beyonce fan and i know great music this is trully a dissapointment

313.

Toya

Monday, November 24, 2008 /

2 EVERY NEG COMMENT ABOUT SOMEONES WORK DONT LIKE IT DONT LISTEN AND IF YOU HATE THE ARTIST SO BAD STOP LOOKIN UP THEIR REVIEWS TO COMMENTS$$$$$$$$$$ BECAUSE IF YOU BOTHER COMMENTING THEN ITS SOMETHING YOU LOVE LMAO

314.

Banza

Monday, December 1, 2008 /

Ths album aint my fav bey album i only like a very select few number of songs,and y dus scared of lonely sound like right here departed.
..the one thng i dnt like abt mis bey is she neva really shws her own inginuity..i mean sum of her biggest songs either sample other sngs tht had bn prev released ..or lyk irreplaceable sumone else put in the hard wrk…to top it off iiwab was stolen frm sum whte gal who cudve sang the song herslf..halo was meant 4 leona l…i mean yea bee is gud but ..cn she actualy write her own hit…dnt tell abt survivor.

315.

kat

Monday, December 1, 2008 /

When I hear the word FIERCE, I expect it to be FIERCE!!!

With the exception of Diva (and that’s only because it sounds so much like “A Milli”), there’s nothing else on this album that I actually enjoyed. I honestly liked BDay a lot better. I was bored to death listening to the I am…side. And Sasha fierce was SASHA TAME. Better yet SASHA LAME. I expected more, I thought sure that the debate of her being a sub-par singer etc would be put to rest on THIS album, however, I was surely disappointed. I give this album a C, because I at least understand the concept, it just wasn’t bought into actualization.

316.

Melody

Tuesday, December 2, 2008 /

Hmm..

I’m in between with this. I loved B’Day…
But I think this should be called “I Am… Confused.”
I don’t see this Sasha Fierce she’s talking about in this album
It sounds good; her vocals are really good. But Sasha Fierce is a Diva and if you ask me not many of the songs on the double album reflect this.
I love “Smash Into You” and “Single Ladies”
I guess Sasha Fierce came out on “Single Ladies”
But the rest is all soppy; Broken Hearted Girl
Boring; Ave Maria, I’m Alone Now
And It’s ALL BEEN DONE BEFORE
“If I Were A Boy”; Ciara done did that and if you’re gonna steal a concept, do it better.
“Diva”; Lil Wayne… and this doesn’t even have a concept. The beats so weak you don’t even bother listened to it. It has no substance,
And a few of the tracks sound like they’ve been stolen off Rihanna’s next album.
I don’t know. I’m not really liking it. Her vocals are good; especially on “That’s Why You’re Beautiful…”

Time to make way for lil sis I think.

317.

my president is black

Wednesday, December 3, 2008 /

DONT LIKE THE ALBUM AT ALL, WAY TOO MUCH PROMOTION WAS DONE FOR IT AND IT WAS WEAK, THE SONGS R BORING ..SHIT EVEN THE DANCE SONGS R BORING, SINGLE LADIES & VIDEO PHONE R THE ONLY CATCHY ONES

ATLEAST I DIDNT BUY IT

318.

nikki

Thursday, December 25, 2008 /

I heard this CD for the first time. I will not be buying this CD. This is the worst Cd Beyonce every put out. Keyshia Cole and Brandy new CD sound 10 times better. I just hope this was not a rush job. Someone take the wheel…. help this child… if this CD go PLT…. I will be surprise……

319.

Keepitreal

Monday, December 29, 2008 /

Hello,

I really want to state facts Beyonce is making tons of money, traveling the globe, and highly visible…BUT she is not original. Her father and management staff takes ideas from the 70’s and use them today. This is a pretty genius concept (see Puffy), as most of her audience was born in the 80’s and 90’s so they have never heard the music. I really wish she would be herself…it’s probably difficult, since she has to focus on what will sell and make her money. One thing I can say to all bloggers spend less time hating and more time doing you….. Live your life and pray for celebrities. It can’t be easy being in the public eye and having everything you do be scrutinized. I’m thankful I can walk in the mall and not be harassed. Although I wouldn’t mind having millions of dollars and traveling the globe. Don’t worry I’ll have them one day. Love you all mwah

320.

**TRUE FAN**:)

Friday, January 2, 2009 /

Okay, the hating is becoming really ridiculous. Beyonce is the best singer there is, the smartest, the most talented, most gorgeous and the most well-rounded singer. I’m really not understanding why people are posting such negative comments about her. It’s very obvious that people are very jealous of her. My question is this: Why not support an artist that is ACTUALLY TALENTED? Most of the singers out there cannot really sing! Ya’ll are hating ther wrong celebrity. Hate those who are being paid for having absolutely no talent.

Beyonce is the best there is and anyone who cannot see that is just plain ignorant. :)

321.

**TRUE FAN**:)

Friday, January 2, 2009 /

@ 319

You’re telling people not to hate and scrutinize her but uh HELLO! you just did. So far, the biggest hater that I’ve seen is SALI. She is hating really hard and I really think that she needs prayer, so I will pray for her and hopefully others will as well.

As far as the album, it is extremely unique and each song fits beyonce because she wrote most of them independently and put her heart into each and everyone.

As far as referring to Beyonce as “money hungry,” well she deserves every penny because she is a very talented and exclusive artist. HOWEVER, she is not selfish and obviously not as “money hungry” as people think, considering the fact that she donated her entire salary from her movie Cadillac Records to a rehabilitation center and is a well-known philanthropist. So again, stop hating! She deserves the attention, she actually good! :)

322.

lol

Friday, January 9, 2009 /

This is the best album she has done. She is far and above the most talented singer around. halo single ladies and the fabulous ave maria stand out. A brilliant album, just wish tickets to see her were less expensive. The queen has reclaimed her throne.

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