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8 Days of Christmas  >>

I'd never want to visit Destiny's Child's homes for the holidays, if their nonsensically named holiday album 8 Days of Christmas is any indication of what they've got under the tree. Chilly, forced and overdone, this mixed bag of modern classics, tarted-up traditional carols and a trio of tunes penned by Beyoncé Knowles doesn't conjure up 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 such as Irving Berlin's "White Christmas", "Silent Night" and "Little Drummer Boy" and embellishes them with its own trills and off-kilter harmonies, overwhelming the songs so that their simple beauty is totally obscured. "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--which is a take-off on the "12 Days of Christmas"--without ever explaining why they loped off four days. In addition, the band are shamelessly self-indulgent throughout the dozen songs found here, taking untold liberties, such as renaming the "Carol of the Bells", "Opera Bells" and recasting "Silver Bells" into "Platinum Bells", to reflect their multi-platinum status. But the low point of the record is when Destiny's Child hawk their own Hasbro Toy manufactured dolls in the intro of "Platinum Bells": "Ladies remember long ago we asked Santa to give us Christmas Dolls? But this year the dolls are you and me under the tree". Humbug. --Jaan Uhelszki

#1s  >>

Survivor  >>

One listen to the eagerly anticipated third album 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 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 Fulfilled  >>

Destiny Fulfilled reunites the wayward solo members of R'n'B trio Destiny's Child, bringing Knowles, Rowland and Williams back together for another long overdue outing as the hyper-successful female group. While the R'n'B scene seems to have stagnated since they solo-ed out, the girls themselves were plenty busy, no more so than the ubiquitous global brand that is now Beyonce, now famously more dangerously in love with herself than anything else. This reunion can't have been easy, but things get off to a more than promising start with the harsh and immediate "Lose My Breath", which comes across as a battle cry to their contemporaries (watch out, Christina Milian) and a rousing call to arms to their legions of fans, which is continued by 'Soldier."

However, the album takes a different path at this point, opting for a sweeter contemporary sound that mimics their current peers. The vocals on these smoother, more sedate numbers stagger - aided by clean production, the harmonies interact with each other in a way that demonstrates the blissful chemistry between the girls, transcending all egos. The only letdown is "Cater 2 U", in which the girls muse about all the things they will do to please their men and continue to slush about the virtues of wearing his T-shirt in bed ("T-Shirt"). Are these really the same independent women that brought feminism to twelve year olds? Still, it seems they're growing up and calming down - which might be a good thing for the men of the world. --Ben Johncock

The Writing's on the Wall  >>

This silky-voiced Texan foursome combine hints of the slow, laconic sweetness of R&B mistress Erykah Badu with the tough, edgy pop of TLC. Like other US R&B girl groups, their follow-up to 1998's self-titled debut comes with the suitable glossy sheen and hot, late 90s producer--in this case She'kspere, the dude behind TLC's summer of 99 hit "No Scrubs". His magical, minimalist touch makes tracks like "Bills Bills Bills" and "Bug A Boo" memorable for their insouciance, and deft, hardcore harmonies. Writer/producer Missy Elliot also puts in her several thousand dollars-worth on "Confessing", a low-key love groove. Though teenagers when they recorded this album, Destiny's Child sing convincingly of faithless lovers, e-mail stalkers, and extra-marital temptation, complete with cod-Shakespearean quotes. They also do a gospel version of "Amazing Grace", letting their voices buck and weave a cappella. Apart from a few less than enthralling ballads, it¹s an engaging, sassy mix. --Lucy O'Brien

Destiny's Child: Expanded  >>

Destiny Fulfilled Special Tour Edition [CD + DVD]  >>

Destiny Fulfilled reunites the wayward solo members of R'n'B trio Destiny's Child, bringing Knowles, Rowland and Williams back together for another long overdue outing as the hyper-successful female group. While the R'n'B scene seems to have stagnated since they solo-ed out, the girls themselves were plenty busy, no more so than the ubiquitous global brand that is now Beyonce, now famously more dangerously in love with herself than anything else. This reunion can't have been easy, but things get off to a more than promising start with the harsh and immediate "Lose My Breath", which comes across as a battle cry to their contemporaries (watch out, Christina Milian) and a rousing call to arms to their legions of fans, which is continued by 'Soldier."

However, the album takes a different path at this point, opting for a sweeter contemporary sound that mimics their current peers. The vocals on these smoother, more sedate numbers stagger - aided by clean production, the harmonies interact with each other in a way that demonstrates the blissful chemistry between the girls, transcending all egos. The only letdown is "Cater 2 U", in which the girls muse about all the things they will do to please their men and continue to slush about the virtues of wearing his T-shirt in bed ("T-Shirt"). Are these really the same independent women that brought feminism to twelve year olds? Still, it seems they're growing up and calming down - which might be a good thing for the men of the world. --Ben Johncock

The Writing's on the Wall  >>

#1's  >>

Destiny's Child  >>