Music Review: Beyonce – I Am… Sasha Fierce [Deluxe Edition] - Page 2

Like an analgesic to such alienation, Beyonce toys with the ways and means of attraction — and, ultimately, connection — on the album’s unabashed dance tracks. On “Sweet Dreams,” she turns what could have easily been a disposable synth remix into a delirious, urgent dance-floor grind. And with sex appeal in spades, Beyonce is the bomb on “Video Phone,” tantalizing with sly, round-the-way sass — “What, you want me naked?” — atop throbbing beats and groove.

Some cuts, particularly ones that fill out the deluxe edition, don’t hold up to those on the album proper. “Ego,” ostensibly Beyonce’s tribute to her husband, Jay-Z, comes off as lyrically trite and superfluous. And with its manic pace (that she barely keeps up with), “Hello” stumbles into chaos.

Such blunders are fortunately rare, though, and not indicative of the album overall. To the contrary, I Am… Sasha Fierce marks an ambitious and rewarding turning point in Beyonce’s music. Assuming an alter ego — to take a risk, to strive for integrity rather than complacency — suggests her curiosity and determination as a recording artist; the fruits of that endeavor illustrate that they were well worth the effort.

Article Author: Donald Gibson

Donald Gibson is the publisher of Write on Music and a freelance music journalist for hire. His work has appeared at No Depression, Spinner, Cinema Blend, The Seattle Post Intelligencer, and Blogcritics. He holds a B.A. in English from the University of South Florida. …

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