Sasha not as fierce as expected
Issue date: 12/7/08 Section: Arts & Culture
Beyonce
I Am Sasha Fierce
Grade: C-
With the release of her new album, I Am Sasha Fierce, the 'baddest chick in the game' sings hard but fails to show how fierce she really is.
I Am Sasha Fierce is an interesting collection of pop-idol posturing and over-the-top diva-isms that has plenty of potential, but this double disk never quite proves its worth.
As the third solo album released by the big-voiced siren, I Am finds the singer struggling to maintain attention amid tons of production, instrumentation and disconnected songwriting.
While the album is not punishment for the ears, it is confusing to listeners who have come to expect more relatable material from the singer.
The amazing voice is still there, but sadly, not much else survives. The first thought the album will no doubt generate is, who the hell is Sasha Fierce?
Listeners soon learn that Sasha is the fiery alter ego of Beyonce. Since there is a difference between the artist and her alter ego, the album has two sides. The funny thing about the album is that Sasha Fierce is actually more like the Beyonce listeners already know.
One side caters to pop fans and those who enjoy slower, more sentimental tracks. One of the best appears in the form of Halo, a sweet dedication to a lover who she will always be loyal to because of his loyalty to her.
The other five or so songs on the 'Beyonce' side of the disk fail to move faster than mid-tempo and the result forces the album to lag. While the albums opening single, If I Was A Boy caught the attention of the charts for its honest and frank lyrics, it alone cannot redeem this set of songs.
Thankfully, the second disk is where the party gets going. It consists primarily of dance tracks and sassy anthems. The most notable gem among them is the hugely popular single, Single Ladies. This song finds the singer belting out a tune that rallies all single ladies to forget about the guys that fail to commit.
The other tracks on the upbeat side range from the clever club banger, Diva and the over-produced dance-track, Radio. While both succeed on different levels, there is not much to Sasha Fierce's side.
This album is unapologetically pop savvy. It would not be so bad if it did not sound like all the soul was cut out of the album at the last minute. It is as if the singer forgot she has R&B fans.
The album also fails to prove it is worth two whole disks in what equals up to 14 songs (depending on what version of the album you have). With the exception of two or three tracks, this album is a collection of pure pop.
In fact the album is almost along the lines of Euro-pop. Interestingly enough, the album does not have a single poorly produced track. Every song is very well done.
While it may not be possible for Beyonce to make a bad album, I Am Sasha Fierce is a bold step away from R&B comfort. Whether or not this is a good idea has yet to be seen.
Bottom Line: Beyonce's album is a strong departure from previous efforts but a deep listen will reveal a few jewels worth a listen.
Gregory Brand, Jr.•
I Am Sasha Fierce
Grade: C-
With the release of her new album, I Am Sasha Fierce, the 'baddest chick in the game' sings hard but fails to show how fierce she really is.
I Am Sasha Fierce is an interesting collection of pop-idol posturing and over-the-top diva-isms that has plenty of potential, but this double disk never quite proves its worth.
As the third solo album released by the big-voiced siren, I Am finds the singer struggling to maintain attention amid tons of production, instrumentation and disconnected songwriting.
While the album is not punishment for the ears, it is confusing to listeners who have come to expect more relatable material from the singer.
The amazing voice is still there, but sadly, not much else survives. The first thought the album will no doubt generate is, who the hell is Sasha Fierce?
Listeners soon learn that Sasha is the fiery alter ego of Beyonce. Since there is a difference between the artist and her alter ego, the album has two sides. The funny thing about the album is that Sasha Fierce is actually more like the Beyonce listeners already know.
One side caters to pop fans and those who enjoy slower, more sentimental tracks. One of the best appears in the form of Halo, a sweet dedication to a lover who she will always be loyal to because of his loyalty to her.
The other five or so songs on the 'Beyonce' side of the disk fail to move faster than mid-tempo and the result forces the album to lag. While the albums opening single, If I Was A Boy caught the attention of the charts for its honest and frank lyrics, it alone cannot redeem this set of songs.
Thankfully, the second disk is where the party gets going. It consists primarily of dance tracks and sassy anthems. The most notable gem among them is the hugely popular single, Single Ladies. This song finds the singer belting out a tune that rallies all single ladies to forget about the guys that fail to commit.
The other tracks on the upbeat side range from the clever club banger, Diva and the over-produced dance-track, Radio. While both succeed on different levels, there is not much to Sasha Fierce's side.
This album is unapologetically pop savvy. It would not be so bad if it did not sound like all the soul was cut out of the album at the last minute. It is as if the singer forgot she has R&B fans.
The album also fails to prove it is worth two whole disks in what equals up to 14 songs (depending on what version of the album you have). With the exception of two or three tracks, this album is a collection of pure pop.
In fact the album is almost along the lines of Euro-pop. Interestingly enough, the album does not have a single poorly produced track. Every song is very well done.
While it may not be possible for Beyonce to make a bad album, I Am Sasha Fierce is a bold step away from R&B comfort. Whether or not this is a good idea has yet to be seen.
Bottom Line: Beyonce's album is a strong departure from previous efforts but a deep listen will reveal a few jewels worth a listen.
Gregory Brand, Jr.•
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