I'm rather dreading this album given most peoples opinions to date - though I'm one of only about 5 who actually rather likes 'Run The World' so who knows. Few tracks in and it's looking likely to be what I expected it to be, a collection of not bad songs as such but a feeling of being underwhelmed on the whole.

Rather Die Young - wow, love it. 3 out of 12 songs im liking so far.

 

 

Unsurprisingly I'm going to strongly disagree with all the people who dislike this album, as I feel that this has to be my favourite album she has ever done. My favourite genre of music is R&B and my favourite style of music is ballads, so this album is just perfect for me.

Its my favourite too but as someone said the ballads just aren't strong enough compared to her previous material.

End Of Time has really grown on me but other than that still very unimpressed.

I think this album is getting too much hate (not just on here though, everywhere). I'm actually really liking it.

I like the fact it's NOT all uptempo, it's completely different to what I was expecting but somehow refreshing. Perhaps just because it's such a contrast to all the electro-$h!t (granted, some of which I like...but at the moment it's overkill) being churned out left, right and center.

 

I don't think it's a great album but it's certainly not bad.

'I Was Here', 'Start Over' and 'I Miss You' are all incredible. And seriously, WHAT A VOICE.

Perhaps just because it's such a contrast to all the electro-$h!t (granted, some of which I like...but at the moment it's overkill) being churned out left, right and center.

That seems to be exactly what's going on. It's such a contrast to virtually everything out there now, and people of our generation want music to dance to, not music that makes you feel something. I'd rather her make an album that is truly her, that she can be proud of, than an album that will be massively commercially successful, but not as much her as she wanted it to be.

Well I really enjoyed this album, not one track I thought about skipping over :wub:

My first proper ratings -

 

1+1 - 9.5

I Care - 9

I Miss You - 8

Best Thing I Never Had - 8.5

Party - 5.5

Rather Die Young - 6

Start Over - 7

Love On Top - 7

Countdown - 7

End Of Time - 7.5

I Was Here - 8

Run The World (Girls) - 7.5

 

The first 4 tracks are brilliant, And I think they will all grow to be 10/10 moments for me. The rest of the album is good but doesn't blow me away. I LOVE Ballads but I do wish there was a few more dancey tracks on there (hopefully the 3/4 deluxe tracks might be) Her voice does sound amazing on this album though and I think its nice she has went back to her R&B roots and less Pop. I can't see it being anywhere near as big as all her previous albums though. But there is some very good stuff on it. And I think this will be a huge grower.

As for Run The World, I've never heard a more out of place song on an album before in my life, and a totally misleading first single. Strange.

That seems to be exactly what's going on. It's such a contrast to virtually everything out there now, and people of our generation want music to dance to, not music that makes you feel something. I'd rather her make an album that is truly her, that she can be proud of, than an album that will be massively commercially successful, but not as much her as she wanted it to be.

I don't agree that that's 'what's going on'. 'What's going on' is that people genuinely believe she's capable of far better than this. Yes it's quite nice and 'personal' in parts but it leaves not a lot of impression frankly... Party is probably the second-best song on there. If it had been on Sasha Fierce it would probably have been in the bottom half of the record quality-wise. It is actually possible to do personal without sacrificing the memorable melodies. Big vocals along don't really cut it.

I don't agree that that's 'what's going on'. 'What's going on' is that people genuinely believe she's capable of far better than this. Yes it's quite nice and 'personal' in parts but it leaves not a lot of impression frankly... Party is probably the second-best song on there. If it had been on Sasha Fierce it would probably have been in the bottom half of the record quality-wise. It is actually possible to do personal without sacrificing the memorable melodies. Big vocals along don't really cut it.

That's all down to personal music taste though. The album is old school R&B and really feels like 90s music (which I love), but for the people who aren't interested in that music, but the music she's done previously, then they are of course going to say she can do much better. It's all about personal taste and I personally love this album, regardless of how others feel. No doubt she'll re-release it in a few months with some commercial tracks on it, to help it sell better.

To me it sounds like she's jumping on the Adele bandwagon? Oh joy. :nocheer:

 

Can't believe from the reviews on here, sounds like there are no 'Radio'-type tracks! :manson: (i.e. one of her greatest ever songs!)

 

I'll take a listen and see if it really is as dull as it's being made out to be. My favourite Beyonce songs are when she's doing mid-tempo/ballads and I do love a bi of 'Ave Maria' from IASF. So who knows!

Posted on her official Facebook:

My music was leaked and while this is not how I wanted to present my new songs, I appreciate the positive response from my fans. When I record music I always think about my fans singing every note and dancing to every beat. I make music to make people happy and I appreciate that everyone has been so anxious to hear my new songs.

Somehow I don't think there'll be many people 'dancing to every beat' of this record!

Somehow I don't think there'll be many people 'dancing to every beat' of this record!

Yeah, I just sit still to the uptempos... :unsure:

'I Was Here' is HUGE. Song of her entire career so far imo. It has to be third single...

Really hope this album doesn't flop, it doesn't deserve to.

 

Top 5:

01 I Was Here

02 I Miss You

03 Start Over

04 Run the World

05 I Care

I have to say, overall, this is probably the worst album of her career. 'I am Sasha Fierce' was emmence, and this compared to that, it is not good at all. It starts off well, then goes downhill even to the point to which the songs blend into one but then it comes back fighting at the end, but by that time it is already almost finished. Then Run The World comes along and feels like possibly one of the most out of place songs on any album :lol:. Here are my rates:

 

1+1 - 8.0

I Care - 7.5

I Miss You - 5.0

Best Thing I Never Had - 9.5

Party - 4.5

Rather Die Young - 6.5

Start Over - 7.5

Love On Top - 7.0

Countdown - 7.5

End Of Time - 8.0

I Was Here - 10.0 - Best song by MILES

Run The World - 6.5

 

No songs are awful. Most of the songs are average or just above average. But for me, its just not what I expect from Beyonce and as a whole, the album is a bit boring and average. Overall I would give it a 6.5/10, I really hope it grows. I can see me just putting 'I Was Here' on repeat to be honest though :lol:

here's my first listen rate

 

1+1 - 6.5

I Care - 7.5

I Miss You - 6

Best Thing I Never Had - 8

Party - 5

Rather Die Young - 7

Start Over - 8

Love on Top - 7

Countdown - 8

End of Time - 9

I Was Here - 8

Run the World (Girls) - 9.5

 

the end of the album is by far the best. The whole album i'd give a 6.5/10.

I hope the deluxe edition songs leak soon.

Overall I would give it a 6.5/10

Your average score was 7.8/10.

 

The whole album i'd give a 6.5/10.

Your average score was 7.4/10.

 

Just wanted to point that out to you both. :kink:

Your average score was 7.8/10.

Your average score was 7.4/10.

 

Just wanted to point that out to you both. :kink:

 

Yes. But as I said in the sentence or two below that although there is no awful songs (a few bad ones though), that the album AS A WHOLE just isn't up to it and doesn't really work nearly as well as her previous ones.

Somehow I don't think there'll be many people 'dancing to every beat' of this record!

 

:lol:

 

Does 'I Was Here' sample The Social Network soundtrack? The intro is basically identical.