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List Price: $45.98 | | Label: Sony / Bmg Japan
Salesrank: 495369
Released: September 11, 2006 |
| Our Price: $21.60 |
| Used Price: $14.99 |
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| Media: Audio CD |
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B'day Track Listing:
1. Deja Vu - Beyoncé, Jay-Z,
2. Get Me Bodied
3. Suga Mama
4. Upgrade U - Beyoncé, Jay-Z,
5. Ring the Alarm
6. Kitty Kat
7. Freakum Dress
8. Green Light
9. Irreplaceable
10. Resentment
11. Creole (Bonus Track)
12. Check On It Featuring Bun B and Slim Thug (Bonus Track)
Editorial Review:
Japanese pressing of 2006 album features 15 tracks including bonus international versions, 2 hidden tracks and the Japan only track 'Creole'. Sony.
Description of B'day:
History may prove Beyoncé's B'Day to be a rare double-whammy of an achievement. Not only is it destined to hold up as one of the thumpingest, most polished-sounding discs of 2006, it's also bound to loose a new phrase into the popular lexicon: a "freekum dress" (n.), as described on a same-named track halfway through this excellent CD, is a "right-fittin'" garment owned by every woman; "when they act wrong, that's when you put it on." Linguistic hijinks aside, here is Beyoncé as the public rarely sees her: fully liberated and artistically fearless. "Ring the Alarm," a big-banging, fire-alarm-clanging wake-up call to a cheating man, finds her seething; "Kitty Kat," a feline-like size-up of a stale relationship helped along by the still innovative Neptunes, shows her spurned; the womanly, fire-in-the-belly come-on "Suga Mama" gets her way, way worked up; and the crackling, vocally volcanic "Resentment" steeps her in Aretha-caliber soul. For all the disc's solo trailblazing, though, where it really soars is on one of two duets with Jay-Z: While "Up Grade U" chugs along entertainingly enough about the good life ("I'm talkin' spa bags and fly pads and rooms at the Bloomberg"), opener "Deja Vu" blasts out a bomp-bomp beat nobody with a head to nod could resist. Cake, candles, and Cristal or no, B'Days rarely get this good. --Tammy La Gorce
More from Beyoncé and Destiny's Child
Dangerously in Love, Beyoncé |
#1's, Destiny's Child |
Destiny Fulfilled, Destiny's Child |
Survivor, Destiny's Child |
Live in Atlanta (DVD), Destiny's Child |
Destiny's Child: The Platinum's on the Wall (DVD) |
B'day Reviews:
B'Day Makes a Decent Gift to Fans 
2009-10-10 - Having spawned multiple albums and movies, as well as continually touring and performing, Beyonce easily seems like one of the most hard-working (or attention-seeking, for those who aren't fans) entertainers. As a result of her constant presence in the spotlight, she seems never to have a break, contributing to the idea that she rushes out her material. This is especially true of her second solo album, B'Day, which was put together in the span of just a couple of weeks. As a result, many felt the album was put together much too quickly, in attempt to capitalize on her role in Dreamgirls. The scanty number of tracks presented only strengthened this opinion. When there are so few tracks on an album, it's important to ensure that they are all strong, which is not really the case here.
Lead single "Déjà Vu" is a personal favourite, perhaps influenced by the fact that it was not as successful as much of her other material, and thus was not destroyed by being overplayed. Many panned this as a lesser-version of the 2003 hit "Crazy in Love", especially since this also features a rap by Jay-Z. While not quite on par with her earlier hit, this makes a great start to the album, and is easily one of Beyonce's most underrated songs. "Get Me Bodied" is an inexplicable fan favourite, with repetitive lyrics and monotonous singing. It's tolerable at best, but more often than not simply irritating. However, it is saved somewhat by the bridge. "Suga Mama" is an improvement, but still a far cry from the best that Beyonce can offer. It is an enjoyable listen, but pretty forgettable in the long run. The vocals really make this song.
"Upgrade U" marks the second appearance of Jay-Z and another fan favourite, this time for good reason. The song switches the typical roles, here showing the woman as the higher-status partner. Beyonce sounds excellent here, appearing confident and assertive without succumbing to her habit of oversinging. The only slight problem is that the brand name-dropping may be a bit much, but not enough to ruin the track. "Ring the Alarm" is a rare track that shows a lot of emotion and attitude, telling of anger toward her partner. Beyonce has commented that this track was inspired by her role in Dreamgirls, where her character was rather passive and never would have spoken out against a partner in this way. Another of Beyonce's best, but generally underrated. "Kitty Kat" is a playful, albeit rather immature sounding track. Here Beyonce sings about being neglected by her partner, and leaving because of it. Like "Suga Mama", it's a decent listen, but forgettable.
"Freakum Dress", despite the ridiculous title, brings the album back to its stronger material, proving once again that Beyonce is at her best with songs with attitude. She seems to be singing about using a dress to keep her man's attention ("Cause when he acts up/that's when you put it on"). Depending on what exactly is meant by "acts up" this may not necessarily the best message, but it certainly makes for an interesting listen. "Green Light" is a huge grower of a track, reminiscent of Amerie's 2005 hit "One Thing", and in fact this track had originally been intended for Amerie. Beyonce here tells her man that she'll be fine if he leaves, essentially urging him to just get out since that's what he seems to want ("you're holding up traffic, green means go"). Another track in the same vein, "Irreplaceable", has Beyonce telling a guy not to think so highly of himself as to believe she'll never get over him. This is a rather empowering song, showing Beyonce confident after a break-up, although some fans believe there is an undercurrent of sadness here. However, given that the lyrics allude to her man cheating, it's possible that there isn't much sadness there, as she thinks she's better off without him.
"Resentment" is quite a stunning track, originally sung by Victoria Beckham. This is another of Beyonce's most underrated songs, as many consider it boring. The emotion displayed is what really sells this one, with Beyonce telling her man she's too full of resentment to get over his cheating. It's rare for Beyonce to sound so vulnerable and emotive in a song, which is a shame as it is another area in which she shines. The only thing that mars this a little is the background singers become too overpowering at times. This is followed by a short spoken interlude where Beyonce comments that the album was inspired by her role in Dreamgirls, and many tracks say what she wishes Deena could have said. It's a nice addition, but would have made more sense to explain this at the beginning of the album. "Listen", from the Dreamgirls soundtrack appears here as a bonus for the fans, and showcases Beyonce at her best. Again, Beyonce shows why she is at her best when she's emotive and passionate. The album ends off with an unnecessary extended version of "Get Me Bodied", which drags on for far too long when Beyonce starts listing dance moves. The bridge sounds great here, but otherwise there is no real need for the track to be included again.
Overall Mark: 3/5
This album definitely shows evidence of being rushed, particularly with the lacklustre lyrics in most of the upbeat songs. Beyonce has shown in other albums that she has some skill as a songwriter, but that is often not on display here. She has, however, seemed to have gained more control over her vocals, meaning that her typical oversinging is significantly toned down, allowing her voice to shine. Beyonce's at her best when the songs allow her to show emotion (Resentment, Listen, Ring the Alarm), which are unfortunately tracks that are few and far between. With the majority, she seems disconnected from the material, meaning that while her voice sounds good, she doesn't seem too involved in the meaning of the song. On an album like this, it's not necessarily a problem, as most of the tracks are just for fun, however it could become an issue with more meaningful material. The other major issue here is the track order, with all the upbeat songs in a row, followed by three ballads. The Deluxe version of the album, which adds and re-orders the tracks, has a much better flow indicating that the order is essential. Despite its shining moments, this album is a far cry from Beyonce's best work.
favorite B'album 
2009-05-03 - Most of the songs on it are great to listen to. I especially like the font and the theme on the album cover. I think it's her most fun album to date. I love Kitty Kat, Green Light, Freakum Dress, Uprade U, and Get Me Bodied. Flaws and All is a very beautiful song with touching lyrics. I enjoy this album alot..especially the beyonce experience dvd. I love how the album have funk-inspired hooks. don't know why people hate on this album and beyonce so much. she beautiful, amazing, and talented.
Beyonce CD
2009-01-19 - Just perfect. This is exactly what my niece wanted & I was able to send it right to her house without leaving mine.
Great Album!
2008-12-20 - Im a little late on my review (2008) LOL! But its all good. I usually dont listen to many Female R&B artists that much but this album is straight fire...Im reading some of these negative reviews on here and i seriously don't know what the hell you guys were listening to when you popped in this cd, cause when i pop it in, i hear straight HEAT. ALL the tracks are blazing, the vocals are on point (strongest ive heard), the lyrics are fun, and the ENGINEERING is crazy...man that engineering is tight! Whoever mixed and mastered this CD needs an award...seriously. I think the problem that everyone was having is they are used to hearing slow boring love songs over and over and over on an album and not used to this uptempo blend of hip hop, R&B, and Funk. What she did on this album is classic. Haters get over it! If you want slow sleepy R&B listen to Nat King Cole or something...(no disrespect to the Great KING)
not bad 
2008-07-30 - i didn't think this cd was all that bad, i like it. i'm not a big fan, but i like listening to it.
