Open Web Player
![B'day [Vinyl]](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/817uUE6b3EL._AC_UL160_SR160,160_.jpg)
Thematically the unabashedly immature songs are relatively low in number (including the ladies anthem "Run the World (girls)") but tend to be perfectly innocent fun loving club anthems that don't adversely effect the aural integrity of the album. Beyonce has always been an performer/entertainer and not a Kelly Price or Jill Scott that avoids the clubs and lays the emotion and soul on heavy. I don't understand the apparent desire for a sudden change of persona from a portion of her fan base, even with the changes in her personal life. Especially given the immense success of past club single "Single Ladies". Beyonce is certainly in her comfort zone in this album.
The album has an incredibly diverse sound but manages to blend well and maintain an identity. The 80's influenced "Party" relies heavily on a thick vocal harmony and a catchy saw synth pad/bass combo with simplistic synth drums providing the rhythm in the background. Beyonce keeps it in the 80's realm with the upbeat groovy jam "Love on Top". Sexy horns accent her vocals for much of the song while Beyonce croons about her love being the priority in her lovers life. "Rather Die Young" continues the trend of throwback old era influence with production and vocal arrangements stripped straight from the 70's.
Beyonce takes it to the club with the catchy "Countdown", "End Of Time", and "Run The world (girls)". All with a minimalist production with militaristic, bombastic, marching band appeal. Of these I'm partial to "End Of Time" with it's melodic sing songy chorus and blaring horn arrangement. "Run This World" while bound to be a hit in clubs wasn't the best choice for single as it's not as immediately appealing as her past singles.
The album slows down with the vocally ambitious "1+1", "Best Thing I Never Had" and "I Was Here". "1+1" doesn't quite live up to the ambitions set forth as the vocal inflections begin to sound slightly annoying, especially during live performances but it provides a decent but somewhat forgettable ballad. "Best Thing I Never Had" is the most commercial of the bunch(and hence her 2nd single). A vengeful but very likable celebratory ode to a love that never was. While "I Was Here" has Beyonce proclaiming her desire to be remembered and having a great legacy. A mournful, plodding delivery leaves something to be desired but certainly a meaningful and heartfelt ballad.
Other favorite is hard to pin down but very catchy "Start Over" with it's powerful and moving chorus. On the other hand "I Care" and "I Miss You" bring up the rear. While not bad they just prove to be filler material or to put it more politely, the most likely to be forgotten.
As a whole I was very satisfied and impressed with this album. Vocally Beyonce brings it while only faltering on rare occasion. The production is great with throwback soul sounds, bombastic club anthems and melodic ballads. If you're expecting a transformed Beyonce that departs from her howling, bootylicious, hair swinging ways then you might look elsewhere for your R&B fix. But if you know the larger than life artist and performer Beyonce is and enjoy hearing her doing what she does best than I would completely recommend this album.
- Amazon Business : For business-only pricing, quantity discounts and FREE Shipping. Register a free business account
