Destinys Child : Releases >>

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#1's >>

Destiny's Child began in 1990 as a novelty act aimed at teenagers. But they exceeded all expectations, both commercially and artistically, becoming a platinum-selling, multi-Grammy-winning sensation and attracting fans from all age groups and backgrounds with their dulcet, feisty-fresh harmonies and message of sisterly solidarity delivered with plenty of keep-it-real and love-over-all. Beyoncé Knowles, Kelly Rowland, and Michelle Williams -- LaTavia Roberson and LeToya Luckett left early on -- have broken ranks to devote themselves to their individual careers so the end of an era has been accomplished. But this collection is a bonanza for new fans and completists, capturing the band's chart-toppers in one place, augmented by Stand Up For Love plus a pair of pleasant but unessential other new tunes. It feels odd to think of this band in the past tense, so even while celebrating their past achievements, let's hope that they will continue to reunite whenever the spirit moves and for years to come. --Christina Roden

Destiny Fulfilled >>

Some thought it would never happen, but after solo successes and a three-year hiatus the ladies of Destiny's Child have reunited for the eagerly-anticipated Destiny Fulfilled. The Houston-based trio of Kelly, Michelle and some girl named Beyonce follow up their mega successful Survivor with another album full of infectious dance grooves and melancholy tales of women done wrong. Lead single "Lose My Breath" is their first offering of the former. Backed by a kinetic marching band sample, they sing with an urgency that bolsters the Rodney Jerkins-produced track. Current single "Soldier" is more of the same. Featuring T.I. and Lil' Wayne, the song allows the trio to sing the praises of the kind of men they like.

Despite this one-two uptempo punch, DC does do ballads. They go old-school on the moving "If." Michelle, who has several impressive solos throughout, and Beyonce trade lines about finding and holding on to love. However, on "Bad Habit" the trio goes for the paint-by-numbers woman finding her inner-strength theme. Other highlights include the 9th Wonder and Beyonce-produced "Girl" and the midtempo gem "Free." --Rashaun Hall

The Writing's on the Wall >>

Not even Dionne Warwick and her mind-reading friends could have predicted that, over the course of two CDs, Destiny's Child would become one of the most successful girl groups on the planet. But successful this Houston trio is, and their sophomore CD shows why. Yes, the lineup changes as often as lead singer Beyoncé's hairstyle, but fun, disposable pop/R&B needn't be rooted in permanence, and DC is mad fun and mad catchy to boot. With the assistance of hitmakers Shek'spere and Kandi Burruss, Destiny's Child trade in effervescent, hip-shaking, finger-wagging, 'you-go-girl, kick-him-to-the-curb' anthems. The Writing's on the Wall is loaded with tracks like "Bills, Bills, Bills," which are suitable both for dancing and as topics on the Ricki Lake Show. The percolating "Bug A Boo" is irresistible, as is the sassy "So Good." To their credit, the girls can slow the pace down, and on the sultry "Temptation" they get to work their considerable chops to nice effect. But as sales and chart figures have shown, Destiny's Child are at their best when they are laying down the law to some trifling man, and/or working their own groove thang. Work it they do on this somewhat formulaic but ultimately irresistible effort. --Amy Linden

Now That's What I Call Music! 6 >>

Survivor >>

One listen to the eagerly anticipated third CD from the world's biggest girl group and it's clear there is one child with the most destiny. To paraphrase the hip-hop legends, "Who's house?" Beyoncé's house, and with the lead vocalist producing or cowriting all of the 14 tracks, it's hard to imagine what those other two chicks even do (other than act grateful to still have a gig). Seizing creative control is a bold move for Miss Knowles, and anytime an R&B act eschews the beat of the week, they have to be commended. But the problem is that Beyoncé, even with her ambition, has yet to suss out that the key to a pop-R&B smash is hook and melody. With the exception of the now-played-out title track (Can we all take a moratorium on this mighty goddess theme for a second, please?) and the equally you-go-girlish "Independent Woman Part 1," most of the tracks here lack a strong core. Beyoncé crams a litany of thoughts and motifs into her mini-anthems, with samples ranging from Stevie Nicks to Tarzan Boy, but though the cuts sizzle and sparkle and throw off much attitude, Survivor is way too frenetic. Even with some strong singing and songs (most notably the laid back "Fancy"), Survivor lacks real emotion. --Amy Linden

Destiny's Child >>

#1's >>

Destiny's Child began in 1990 as a novelty act aimed at teenagers. But they exceeded all expectations, both commercially and artistically, becoming a platinum-selling, multi-Grammy-winning sensation and attracting fans from all age groups and backgrounds with their dulcet, feisty-fresh harmonies and message of sisterly solidarity delivered with plenty of keep-it-real and love-over-all. Beyoncé Knowles, Kelly Rowland, and Michelle Williams -- LaTavia Roberson and LeToya Luckett left early on -- have broken ranks to devote themselves to their individual careers so the end of an era has been accomplished. But this collection is a bonanza for new fans and completists, capturing the band's chart-toppers in one place, augmented by Stand Up For Love plus a pair of pleasant but unessential other new tunes. The Dual-Disc B-Side contains a selection of videos, each of which display the ladies at their show-stopping, luscious best. It feels odd to think of this band in the past tense, so even while celebrating their past achievements, let's hope that they will continue to reunite whenever the spirit moves and for years to come. --Christina Roden

This Is the Remix >>

This Is the Remix shows just why Destiny's Child is such a powerhouse: they have wicked songs that can survive almost any treatment. Not that the selections, culled from the group's three preceding albums, are mishandled here. The Neptunes aren't quite at the top of their game on "Emotion," but Timbaland's sexy remix of "Say My Name" is one of the best things he's done--and that's saying a lot. Despite too many rap interludes, the CD ends on a high note with feverish Maurice Joshua mixes of "Jumpin', Jumpin'," "Bills, Bills, Bills," and "So Good" that are simply fantastic dance-floor burners. The one misstep is the tucked-away "Heard a Word," a track from Michelle Williams's solo album. Still, this is state-of-the-art mainstream R&B designed to tide fans over until the triumvirate goes back to the studio together. --Elisabeth Vincentelli

8 Days of Christmas >>

Chilly, forced, and overdone, this mixed bag of modern classics, tarted-up traditional carols, and trio of tunes penned by Beyonce Knowles doesn't conjure a single warm and fuzzy image of chestnuts roasting on an open fire or Jack Frost nipping at your nose. Rather, it's just another forum to showcase the band's Gucci bag of vocal gymnastics and crass materialism. The Texas trio takes seasonal classics like Irving Berlin's "White Christmas," "Silent Night," and "Little Drummer Boy" and embellishes them with their own trills and off-kilter harmonies, obscuring the songs' simple beauty. "On the eighth day of Christmas, my baby gave to me a pair of Chloe shades and a diamond belly ring," brags Knowles in the title song, a takeoff on the "12 Days of Christmas," without ever explaining why they lopped off four days. The band is shamelessly self-indulgent throughout the dozen songs found here, taking untold liberties, like renaming "Carol of the Bells" "Opera Bells" and recasting "Silver Bells" as "Platinum Bells" to reflect their multiplatinum status. But the low point of the record is when Destiny's Child hawk their Hasbro-manufactured dolls in the intro of "Platinum Bells": "Ladies, remember long ago we asked Santa to give us Christmas dolls? This year the dolls are you and me under the tree." Humbug. --Jaan Uhelszki