ALBUM REVIEW: Beyonce - “I Am.. Sasha Fierce” (Deluxe Edition)
Before I get started, it’s important to point out that this review is based on the deluxe edition, because frankly as the single-disc version, this project fails to achieve fulfillment.
Now, if you’ve been a fan of Beyonce’s, or even if you haven’t been, chances are you know who “Sasha” is. The sexy “creature of the stage” struts B exudes performing some of her biggest hits can be accredited to Knowles’ alter-ego but by her own admission, it’s not quite “her”. Six ballads (consecutive ballads) into the newlywed’s third studio album I Am… Sasha Fierce and we’re not as interested into this introspective turn as we might have thought we would.
“Halo” is a track that falls along with most of the first quarter of this collection into a softer adult-contemporary zone (think Whitney Houston or Celine Dion), which shows strongly. “Halo” was originally written for Leona Lewis after-all. “Disappear” is a gorgeous track with ranging, but soft vocals, that evoke sounds of B’s idol Barbara Streisand.
Mostly all of the writers on this project are white, save Babyface, and it shows through the project’s overall contemporary pop appeal. But don’t worry, the later portion of this album features enough 808’s, mixshow lingo, and designer references to make up for it. Top producer nods belong to Rodney Jerkins, Sean Garrett, and Jim Jonsin.
“Ave Maria” is a track that’s so corny it’s embarassing - not quite a remake, not quite a Lifetime special presentation. Click to it- you’ll understand.
“Video Phone” evokes the inner freaknick with lyrics like “if you like me in this position you can take it… on your video phooooone” while “Single Ladies”, aside from already heating up clubs, harks back to the independent theme Destiny’s Child wore proudly.
This projects two most-strongest tracks though are without a doubt “Diva” (which has virtually the same beat sequence as Lil’ Wayne’s “A Milli”, an obvious nod to her friend and collaborator) and “Radio” - two songs that are so dynamic in vocal arrangement and experiments in tribal house (more so the latter) that it makes you want to check your iPod again with the thought that you’ve shuffled to a new Rihanna track - an effort that I’m sure was completely strategic.
Bottom line if you’ve been looking for your chance to be a true voyeur into the private life of the new Mrs. Carter, here’s your chance. Just as the cover hints, you’re given a raw naked version of both Beyonce and Sasha– unfortunately not in even amounts.
It’s an imbalanced record at best, but still B’s best work thus far. A record that you’ll undoubtedly be hearing through 2009 in both the club and at a Pampered Chef party.
Poor Solange.
POSTED BY: DJ Sidekick
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Nice review. Although Leona Lewis has stated ‘Halo’ was NOT written for her. Thanks.
I am a HUGE Beyonce fan but this album was a hard pill to swallow. When I think of Sasha fierce I think of Single Ladies, Get me bodied, Freak’em dress type songs. What I got was a pinch of Jordin Sparks with a big dash of Rhianna which was equivalent to a complete mess. I felt betrayed, like she kicked her R&B fan base to the side to conquer the POP charts. I understand she wanted to do something different, but have an equal amount of “B” to your “Sasha.” This album shouldn’t have even bore the label of R&B. It was Rock/Pop at it’s best. Single Ladies was a ploy to get her loyal fan base to buy the album, and now that I have it I feel like she gave me a present with one hand “single ladies” and slapped me with the other i.e.(her whole damn album).
If you think that those are the best two track then you need not critique music. Ave Maria is a Classic, she took it and made it her own.Do yourself a favor and do your research before you go running your mouth the next time. You say it’s imbalanced, yet it’s her best recording…Whomever you are, your are obviously clueless about music, at least REAL R&B. I could go on and on about the fallacies in your “Review”…wait a minute…Who the hell authorized you to do reviews anyways???…
LOL @ “Amir”…
I love it…
I’m all for change & growth and Beyonce has managed to do just that. The album is clean,pure and easy on the ear. It’s different from the other two and my favourite cut is ‘Sweet Dreams’!!
However, I must say I’m very annoyed by the fact that there are only six and five songs on ‘I Am…’ and ‘Sasha Fierce’ respectively. The other thing that bugs me is the release of the deluxe CD just three days after I bought the standard version! That sucks!!
Fresh_t, South Africa.
I am a huge Beyonce fan and have yet to buy the CD. I was very excited to hear that Beyonce was gonna come with something new and a new sound while still being the Bey we all know and love. When I first heard Single Ladies I really did not like it. It grew on me. However, I have not downloaded it to the iPod because it is not something I want to hear repeatedly. In the clud and car yeah. At the crib once but that is about it. If I Were A Boy is nothing special to me. I think if someone else sung it (i.e. Rihanna or Keisha Cole) it would have had a more organic sound. Bey forces herself to sound like someone she is not. No singing ass Ciara (who I like despite the fact that she does not sing live) sounded better with Like A Boy because it was not forced. DIVA is the WORSE!!!! The words does not even reflect who she is and she sounds like Young Jezzy when she raps. Maybe I will get it as a X-Mas gift.
First of all I’ve got to be one of bey’s number one fans!!!! I was a little disappointed in the length of the album and songs such as ’satelites’ I could have done without it! But Bey most def makes up for it with songs like ‘Ego’ and ‘Hello’ where she embraces the original bey!! The beyonce side…..not so much but Sasha Fierce bangin!!! And oh yea dissappear…..BANGIN!!!
I am a big Beyonce fan. But this new CD. I ‘m not feeling this style of music. overall i gave this CD a 1/2 a star. Beyonce what were u thinking. I really don’t believe she gave this CD her all.
this is not her best CD. But I hope everything work out for u… and I will be waiting on the next cd to drop.
i think this is a very good albulm i love diva and single ladies