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CRITIC REVIEWS
83
Indifferent production bogs down about half the songs, but the best tracks are so thrilling that they buoy you through the dullish patches.
80
There is nothing desperate or weak about this album.
12y
80
Apart from a few pop-R&B space-fillers, there's not much to dislike about B'Day.
72
Beyoncé delivers precisely what many listeners have always wanted from her: a short, tight, and energetic set that's heavy on upbeat numbers and funk affectations, and light on the balladry and melisma.
12y
70
B-Day might not be Beyonce on her best day, but then again I’d take Beyoncé any day of the week.
10y
70
B'Day is a joyous uptempo album full of vibrant vocals, fierce production, and boundless energy. The only complaint is that it's over too soon.
70
Whereas Beyoncé’s debut was accomplished in its diversity, albeit a sure sign of a new solo artist trying to find her voice, B’Day sounds like the album “Crazy In Love” initially forecasted.
66
‘B-Day’ isn’t quite perfect. ‘Resentment’ blusters slightly in its straining for grandeur, and ‘Kitty Kat’ feels slightly anodyne despite its sweetly vicious climax. And there’s nothing that feels quite so unanswerable as ‘Crazy In Love’. But even so, if Beyoncé feels she needs another holiday, she can rest assured that she’s earnt it.
60
Coherence is lost by the use of armies of producers and songwriters (Upgrade U was written by nine people) and gloopy ballad Listen almost ruins everything.
60
From one of the planet's biggest stars, Beyonce's album disappoints. It's still a career high, but B'Day could have been released at any point in the last three-and-a-half years and, in a year which has given us tracks like Justin Timberlake's 'SexyBack', it already sounds stale.
60
B’day should keep her bank balance high.
60
B'Day is an accomplished second effort from Ms. Knowles, doubly so considering the timeframe within which she managed to collaborate with so many people, but as an album it's simply not the finished article.
10y
60
B-Day is certainly not perfect. Some sharpening definitely needs to be done when it comes to production and songwriting sides (I guess there are some things that having a fantastic voice just can‘t hide). I still think that Beyonce has a perfect masterpiece in her, but I guess we’ll have to wait until the next album to find out.
12y
56
Beyoncé’s an artist who’s not sure how to sell her full personality and craft in lieu of selling what she thinks we want.
50
Occasionally... she does hint at her past genius.
Print Only
11mo
40
Every producer but Scott Storch got invited to the B-Day party, so there’s no shortage of guaranteed hits to keep the Jeffersons of urban pop atop that Billboard high-rise. Too bad only the icily sardonic Irreplaceable has any real weight or relevance.
Déjà Vu - 5/5 ❤
Get Me Bodied - 4/5
Suga Mama - 3/5
Upgrade U - 5/5 ❤
Ring the Alarm - 4/5
Kitty Kat - 3/5
Freakum Dress - 3/5
Green Light - 4/5
Irreplaceable - 5/5 ❤
Resentment - 4/5
It’s 9/4 so you know what that means… B’Day!
On her sophomore album, Beyoncé continues trailblazing her way into legend status. Here, she puts her bets on live instrumentation that nicely compliment the funk inspired tracks. Her voice follows the concept and we can hear her on a more soulful tone.
* Deja Vú (9/10)
* Get Me Bodied (8.5/10)
* Suga Mama (7.5/10)
* Upgrade U (9/10)
* Ring The Alarm (8.5/10)
* Kitty Kat (7.5/10)
* Freakum Dress (7.5/10)
* Green Light (8/10)
* Irreplaceable (10/10)
* Resentment (7/10)
* Check On It (10/10)
* Listen (10/10)
Nota Final: 85/100
The album is quite literally hit after hit after hit. The fact that she made this album in two weeks is truly astounding because it sounds so lush and full. Beyoncé. continuously showcasing her vocal growth by being as LOUD as she can for the majority of these songs. And every single bridge on this album is life-changing. One of her very best albums.
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Track List
| 1 | Déjà Vu 3:59 feat. JAY-Z | 92 |
| 2 | Get Me Bodied 3:25 | 83 |
| 3 | Suga Mama 3:24 | 81 |
| 4 | Upgrade U 4:32 feat. JAY-Z | 85 |
| 5 | Ring the Alarm 3:23 | 82 |
| 6 | Kitty Kat 3:55 | 80 |
| 7 | Freakum Dress 3:20 | 84 |
| 8 | Green Light 3:29 | 84 |
| 9 | Irreplaceable 3:47 | 91 |
| 10 | Resentment 4:40 | 84 |
Total Length: 37 minutes
Year End Lists
| #8 | / | Slant Magazine |
Added on: June 13, 2011