Review: Beyonce - I Am...Sasha Fierce

Posted by Mack of Sound-Savvy On 6:59 PM

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-

4 comments and counting...

  1. Bianca Said,

    Great review. I feel her first album had more substance because she was becoming a young woman and coming into her own. Solange put great effort in her album because of all of what she has been through. Solange's album is so creative and I feel that they don't give her a fair chance. Like you said Beyonce needs to take a break and find some inspiration.

    Posted on November 8, 2008 at 1:42 PM

     
  2. Ricey Said,

    Well, Beyonce says that "This is her most personal, reflective and revelatory" album to date(I need more time to soak it in)...I mean have the songs that I love: Disappear, Halo, Radio, Diva and I even kinda like Ave Maria, but only because I can relate to what it is I think she is talking about...the annoying thing about this project to me, is the fact that all the songs can fit on one cd with ample time left over for more songs! 37 min to be exact... I think this was smart in terms of sales stats, because each cd will be counted (1=2) but as a consumer...it makes me crazy! Why not take advantage of the space? Beyonce is a work-a-holic and records many, many songs for what ever the project is at the time... so why so few on each cd? Atleast when they give it a 16-22$ price tag I would feel better about getting my hard earned monies worth...come on B!

    Posted on November 9, 2008 at 11:45 PM

     
  3. From what I've heard I dig what she's done but she's on that "If It Ain't Broke, Don't Fix It" model. She's always so deep with her albums but I'm like Bey, please !

    You've had no experiences real women have and you don't live a real life people can relate too. She needs a vacay, have some kids, do something real and then come back with a good album.

    Posted on November 10, 2008 at 11:44 PM

     
  4. starr Said,

    good review

    i dont understand how this album could take her a year to write yet it's not even that good

    Posted on November 26, 2008 at 10:33 PM

     

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