Artist: Beyonce
Album: I Am...Sasha Fierce
Release Date: 11.18.08

International superstar, immaculate performer and accomplished singer/songwriter Beyonce Knowles returns after almost no time at all with her third studio album, I Am…Sasha Fierce. This project comes at the dawning of another media blitz by Knowles and her team, with 2 movies forthcoming and talks of another world tour. Does she ever sit down? This project is packaged as a double-disc, six tracks on the first and five on the other but also has a deluxe edition that includes an additional 5 tracks. It features production from Tricky and the Dream, Darkchild, Stargate, and Sean Garrett among others.

Let’s begin with the two concurrently released singles, If I Were A Boy and Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It). There’s nothing particularly original about either of them, but Beyonce adds a style that makes them her own. The concept of the former has been exhausted by much of Beyonce’s younger competition in the industry, including Ciara, while the latter sounds more like a sequel to her last dance hit Get Me Bodied. Standout tracks on the I Am disc include Halo, and Brokenhearted Girl which was co-written by Babyface and is clearly the highlight of the album. I can’t quite figure out her thought pattern behind Ave Maria or why she would liken her perpetual love to a Catholic prayer that beseeches the mother of Christ. Rounding out the first disc is Satellites, a track that’s more toned down vocally, but offers nothing memorable.

The Sasha Fierce disc was named after Beyonce’s performance alter ego – the personality she assumes when she hits the stage; thus the disc is comprised of more club or dance-oriented numbers. I think I’m in love with her Radio, which is by far the best of these tracks and showcases an interesting sound for B coupled with a techno-inspired synthesized instrumental. On Diva she borrows a bit of the hubby’s swagger and brash delivery on what I can only consider an uninspired copy of Weezy’s A Milli (“How you gon’ be talkin’ shit? U act like I just got up in it, been the number one diva in this game for a minute”). This is yet another example of how this project lacks originality, copying a concept that’s overrun its shelf life in the game. While Sweet Dreams is a pretty decent attempt at a little redemption, the hoodrat anthem Video Phone is the straw that breaks the camel’s back (not literally Jay!). Video Phone is a lifeless attempt to retain the younger following, but proves that not every trend makes a good song.

Beyonce’s alter ego may be something of a fierce nature, but this album certainly is not. I think the downfall is primarily the content. Her music hasn’t evolved much, and therefore we get an album of stale content and failed attempts at originality. It appears that Beyonce hasn’t really taken time to experience new things or embrace new perspectives to feed her songwriting energy. A hiatus could be just what the doctor ordered for Beyonce, let’s hope she checks her prescription…

Related Posts
Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It)
If I Were A Boy

-Mack-