The Writing's on the Wall

by

Destiny's Child

Edit

The Writing's on the Wall has thrown Destiny's Child into stardom. Their last CD only sold 800,000 copies but this one has sold more than 5 times that amount and I'm about to tell you why the songs are responsible.

Track #2 (So Good)- Okay song. Not one of my favorites on the album.

Track #3 (Bills,Bills,Bills)- Their first single from this album. Great song. About how the men their with spend all their money and use them to look good, but give nothing in return. Close favorite. In fact, my #2.

Track #4(Confessions)- Possibly the only song where the four ladies did something wrong. About how they cheated on their mates and they're confessing. Good song, but seems like it goes on for a long time.

Track #5 (Bug A Boo)- Great song. About how the men won't leave them alone. Very fresh sound. It's an R&B crossover to pop kinda song. My #3 favorite.

Track #8 (Where'd You Go)- This is a pretty good song. Kinda catchy but don't play it too much. You can get tired of it easily.

Track #9 (Hey Ladies)- Really great song. Love the beat and the vocals. "Hey Ladies" is an upbeat song that can be danced to. Only bad thing is that the chrous seems like it goes on forever.

Track #10 (If You Leave)- One of the best songs on the CD. Features Next and shows off great vocals. Perhaps one of the best duets among groups I've heard in a while. This will most likely be a favorite among many. They should make it a single.

Track #11 (Jumpin)- Great dance song. Has that dance floor techno beat flavor.Currently Jumpin' the charts. This, I have to say is tied for my favorite song with the next track.

Track #12 (Say My Name)- Was a big hit heard on radios and TVs every where. In this song they are telling the men if you aren't cheating on me say my name/tell me you love me. Great song. My #1. I wouldn't exactly call it a ballad because of the beats and vocal styles.

Every song on this CD is great and I'm telling you it is a must have. Don't believe me? Buy it for yourself and listen. You be the judge.

The sophmore follow-up to the self-titled debut cd fares better than its predecessor. Its strengths are the catchy chorus of "Bills, Bills, Bills." The background vocals are more full and warmer than the previous cd or the "Survivor" cd. However, the weaknesses are glaring. Beyonce continues to dominate on every track with her thin two and half octave range voice, and recycled vocal ad libs. Latavia and Latoya are barely present on this cd. If they are, I wouldn't be able to tell since all the harmonising and ad libs are done by Beyonce and to lesser exent, Kelly. Other weaknesses includes sung-rap verses with little or no melody; double chorus that repeat ad nauseum ("Say My Name being a prime example.); and the fact that all the backgrounds are boring (Say My Name) because the other singers aren't allowed to do anything but sing the chorus over and over. Or the songs are overly busy with Beyonce's caterwauling ad libs ("Say My Name", "Bills, Bills, Bills.) And furthermore the songs all sound alike to me, one blending into the other like one big song. And lastly, the overused man-bashing theme is a turn-off. I'm a woman, and I still believe that!

My conclusion is that this is yet another overhyped piece of pop tofu that is a testiment to mediocrity and doesn't deserve to be purchased by any discerning rhythm and blues lover.