Dangerously in Love [ENHANCED]

Beyonce

Product Details

• Audio CD (June 24, 2003)
• Original Release Date: June 24, 2003
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Enhanced
• Label: Sony
• ASIN: B000099T2L
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (865 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #3,992 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

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  Music > R&B > Contemporary R&B

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

The perfect timing of Beyonce Knowles’ career moves continues with the release of her debut solo album. Dangerously in Love’s best music is wildly up-to-date, craftily designed for both maximum street acceptance and positioning as some of the most cutting-edge stuff on current radio. The brash first single, "Crazy in Love," melds Jay-Z with an unstoppable Chi-Lites horn sample, shape-shifting into something brand new. Collaborations with Outkast’s Big Boi and Sean Paul also prick up the ears, while changes of pace like "Be with You" and "Speechless" achieve their aim with credibility. The disc becomes far too ballad heavy in its second half, but the key stuff is the noise she brings. --Rickey Wright

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

34 of 36 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars "Dangerously" Generic... BUT, July 7, 2003

By	Andrew Jacob (Brooklyn, New York) - See all my reviews

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...

20 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent CD, worth the wait!!, June 24, 2003

By	T. Holliman (Sherman Oaks, CA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

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

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars I don't understand what all the commotion is about, April 22, 2004

By	Forest Law (Lakewood, NJ) - See all my reviews

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.