First of all, if you are going to see an artist at a general admission concert and have to stand up all night it best be someone like Beyonce. High energy. Amazing performer. And tunes to make people move their feet.
People were on line from 1pm outside waiting for door to open at 8pm. Yes. I guess the people without jobs had some time (and money - tix were not cheap) on their hands.
This concert featured her new album "4". If you haven't picked it up yet, it's worth a listen. What is good about the album? I think this album will have about 4-5 hits. At first listen, I thought there were 3 strong songs, super ballad "Best thing I ever had", and up tempo tunes "Countdown" and "End of Time". And although I didn't like it at first, "Run this world (Girls)" is a typically Beyonce anthem song for girls. And Party has a good "house party" and "grown folk" feel to it. And I think "Start over" might be late hit on the album. Its got a good sound to it but not sure if its commercial enough... and its another ballad.
A couple of shots from Beyonce Roseland show...
Beyonce "4" at a glance...
1. "1+1": 3. It had to grow on me, but when it did I started feeling the song. The lyrics are a bit cryptic, which reminds me of "Halo", but some will like that about the song. I heard there was a version by The Dream (who wrote the song) and Beyonce. Beyonce got the better voice so I think its the better version.
2. "I Care": 2. It seems a bit to filler, especially with the "la, la, la, la, la" and repetitive. Nothing spectacular really stands out to me with this song.
3. "Miss You": 3. Short song. Decent ballad. Beyonce shares her pain with her audience of a love gone astray. And the song ends perfectly with just the instrumental fading out. It gives a feeling of whether she'll reunite with the one she loves or forever live with the pain of not having him. **weep, weep**
4. "Best Thing I Never Had": 4. I like this song overall. Catchy. Babyface wrote and composed this song. Anyone who's familiar with Babyface's catalog is fully aware of the master artistry he creates with music. Not his best, but it works with Beyonce vocal style.
5. "Party" featuring Andre 3000: 5. This Kanye-produced track is one of my favorite songs on the album and an excellent standout! Andre 3000 is Beyonce's only featured artist and he delivers (like always). I am bias since I am Outkast fan and Andre always has great flow on an album. Smart move Beyonce!!
Gotta love this verse...
"Kiddo say he looks up to me, this just makes me feel old
Never thought that we could become someone else's hero
Man, we were just in the food court, eating our gyro"
My favorite line from Andre because it gives me a nostalgic feeling from the humble beginnings of the 90s from both artists to what they've become today. And the production has a 90s sound to it as well. Kanye did great with this track. In fact, every artist present shined on this song. This should be have been the first single... a perfect summer hit song.
6. "Rather Die Young" 3: Sleepy but when she performs it live... watch out. She sings the hell out the song. As a "an ode to Jay" because that's exactly what it is, and there's nothing wrong with that. Keep your man happy "B"
7. "Start Over": 4. Another standout track from this album. The harmonies Beyonce shares with her backup singers are breathtakingly beautiful. This song is strong as anything she has done in the past because she sounds so mature. She has definitey grown up so passionate in the lyrics. I felt her desperation to salvage the broken relationship she's in with her guy. This song might be single-worthy, but I wonder how people will respond to it.
8. "Love on Top": 2. More "classic" Beyonce. It's a fun, upbeat song that I believe her fanbase will appreciate. Very old R&B.. ala Jackson 5 and Michael.
9. "Countdown": 5. Another "classic" Beyonce song that her fanbase will appreciate. It might be one of my favorites b/c it's fun, catchy, and clever. In 10 counts Beyonce tells her audience of the love she shares with her man. I can see someone coming up with a dance for this song. Hopefully I don't see men doing the "Beyonce girl slide" as they run across the stage with those little steps she is known for.
10. "End of Time": 4. Beyonce satisfies her fans with yet another track they'll appreciate. I call this the "war dance" song. I'm a sucker for songs that have that "marching band sound" to it. It has a great intro that will appear in club remixes all over. This one might be the one that shows up those MTV dance shows.
11. "I Was Here": 4. Beyonce teamed up with Diane Warren for this angst-y track where she basically tells her audience her time as an entertainer is ending. I can see this as a closing song for the rest of her concerts. Also, this might be a big funeral song... kind of haunting. But I do like the vibe of the song.
12. "Run the World (Girls)": 2. Not my favorite song. But its an anthem song. Just okay. Borderline could have been left off the album.
All in all, my rating on this album is 3 stars. It's decent and more mature-sounding. Worth the money.
Pros
-Beyonce looked great and the stars were out (P-Diddy, The Dream, Neyo, Jay-Z, Mary Mary, jusst to name a few.
-Great show and great energy. People were singing along word for word, even on the new songs.
-Good music
Cons
-Long wait standing on lines to get in
-Show didn't start for 2 hours.
-Smelly armpits... Thank God they gave out Beyonce perfume samples that came in handy as a defensive measure.
Anyone got any favorite Beyonce songs from the new album "4"? What about all time Beyonce songs?
S.F. Guru
