R.K.
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Post by R.K. on Apr 1, 2024 0:33:23 GMT -5
Wait. Does that mean Dolly rewrote the lyrics herself? Or that maybe Beyonce changed the lyrics but still didn’t want to take any credit? Dolly Parton takes 100% publishing for all of her songs. She makes you sign an agreement first, then you can do whatever you want with the song, but she still gets all the publishing. Bey knew this and still wanted to change the lyrics, she just had to honour the contract.
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sbp17
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Post by sbp17 on Apr 1, 2024 1:06:59 GMT -5
Wait. Does that mean Dolly rewrote the lyrics herself? Or that maybe Beyonce changed the lyrics but still didn’t want to take any credit? Dolly Parton takes 100% publishing for all of her songs. She makes you sign an agreement first, then you can do whatever you want with the song, but she still gets all the publishing. Bey knew this and still wanted to change the lyrics, she just had to honour the contract. Thanks for the clarification. That makes sense. I was familiar with Elvis and I Will Always Love You but wasn’t sure on the 100% publishing stipulation.
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Post by Me. I Am Justin... on Apr 1, 2024 6:23:27 GMT -5
One thing that's driving me absolutely insane is the split audio in Blackbiird in headphones. The guitar only in the right ear for the entire thing genuinely makes me want to rip my AirPods out hahaha Just listened in headphones for the first time and oh my god you are so right. The tapping in the left ear is awful. Ameriican Requiem might be the best song she has ever made. So cinematic and epic. FYI, the original Beatles version has the tapping sound too. It was done purposely. It was Paul McCartney doing the foot taps in studio. I’m glad that she kept it like that. So many highlights on this Act! “American Requiem” is definitely one of her best songs EVER.
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wjr15
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Post by wjr15 on Apr 1, 2024 7:49:08 GMT -5
After taking a few days to digest the album, I have to say this is a really good album. I still prefer act i because I love dance music but act ii is really close behind it and might even pass it one day. I love how this album isn’t just a country album and it blends so many different genres. I love the collaborations and some of them were so unexpected like Miley and Post. As of right now, my favorites are:
Texas Hold Em Bodyguard Jolene II Most Wanted Levii’s Jeans Ya Ya Riiverdance
My only gripe is that the album starts slow with too many ballads at the beginning and it took time for me to start getting hooked into the album. However, Ameriican Requiem is a beautiful intro to the album and Beyonce truly shines here.
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Post by @DiegoMarcondes_ on Apr 1, 2024 8:37:47 GMT -5
The critical reception is better than I was expecting, and it's receveing what it deserves.
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Maximillian
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Post by Maximillian on Apr 1, 2024 9:22:17 GMT -5
After a few days of sitting with this, I see every point being made. Critically, it’s a thought out, rich, layered and complex album. It’s also messy.
I’m struggling to connect much with this album. It IS a Beyonce album, but it’s also just a bit more work than I want to put into an album. It’s not cohesive and it’s a bit all over the place. For every standout, there’s something half baked and too confusing to unpack (especially for casual listeners and fans). Act 1 was more approachable, I think.
Visuals would have made a huge difference for both eras (to me). I am feeling very robbed as a fan this moment, and I hate to admit this, but it probably has also skewed my overall energy / opinion in a negative way towards the album as well. Visuals really make or break music sometimes. I really can’t wrap my head around how Beyonce, Queen of visuals, is expecting fan bases to follow blindly on groundbreaking, career defining albums that are supposed to have cultural impacts, and then just fail to bring the visual with it. An album with such a beautiful message should have driven its messaging home with visuals. End of story.
Regardless - I know my thoughts are in the minority here. I’m still a huge fan. The album is doing well. She deserves all her flowers. However, I can’t help but think if this was an album from a lesser known black artist doing the same thing, it would not be critically reviewed the same way. So once I detach Beyonce from the music, I am just stuck with an OK, kinda confusing album.
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Active Aggressive
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Post by Active Aggressive on Apr 1, 2024 9:22:33 GMT -5
I'm pretty sure the physicals being shipped to the retailers on 4/12 is the complete album. The vinyl from B's website is 1LP but the standard is 2 which leads me to believe that it will be the complete edition since one LP can only hold about 25 minutes per side. I hope the label does something for the fans who preordered from her webstore. Pretty sure the album on her website (Limited Ed) is two vinyl discs from what i’ve seen. But i hope you’re right!! Yeah, the webstore clearly still says 2 vinyl discs, so unless they were able to rush production on a whole new batch of vinyl (this is Beyonce, so anything is possible, I guess, but I still think logistics are very difficult UNLESS the vinyl on her site were the ones that were pressed initially and the ones being released on 4/12 are the new batch), I wouldn't get my hopes up too much. I'll wait until I hear confirmation before putting money down on the vinyl. Meanwhile, the album definitely improved me on upon the second listen. The tracklisting could definitely have been tightened up to remove some of the filler (i.e., Just For Fun, Flamenco, Desert Eagle, and My Rose), but I applaud her for making such a strong statement and for the serious effort made by all parties involved. It's definitely a journey. Apparently, My Rose was called Mr. Sir on early pressings of the CD, so it makes sense why she would include, especially after Protector.
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andrebra
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Post by andrebra on Apr 1, 2024 9:40:45 GMT -5
Just listened in headphones for the first time and oh my god you are so right. The tapping in the left ear is awful. Ameriican Requiem might be the best song she has ever made. So cinematic and epic. FYI, the original Beatles version has the tapping sound too. It was done purposely. It was Paul McCartney doing the foot taps in studio. I’m glad that she kept it like that. So many highlights on this Act! “American Requiem” is definitely one of her best songs EVER. No problem with the tapping itself, just hate that it’s the only thing happening in my left ear haha!
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Carlitoz
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Post by Carlitoz on Apr 1, 2024 11:13:04 GMT -5
For me it's been for sure an album to digest slowly. I'm on my fourth listen and it keeps getting better. Very different feel now compared to when I listened to it the first time.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Apr 1, 2024 11:22:22 GMT -5
Faves so far:
-BLACKBIRD (Amazing cover) -16 CARRIAGES (HELLO?!? So much better within the context of the album) -TEXAS HOLD 'EM (My SOTY) -BODYGUARD -SPAGHETTI -II MOST WANTED -LEVII'S JEANS -YA YA DANCE -RIVERDANCE -TYRANT
Still digesting and will continue to digest throughout this month (Love those kinds of records)
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dbhmr
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>
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Post by dbhmr on Apr 1, 2024 11:46:01 GMT -5
I'm so obsessed with "TYRANT" like I can't. I need to be sweaty drunk dancing to that yesterday. It's definitely continuing to open up and I'm going more from "distant appreciation of the grandiosity" to "actually loving this." Something about this experimentalism is actually feeling more authentic to me than ACT I; also, for some reason, putting this in the context that it was supposed to come first makes a lot more sense to me.
After a weekend of more digestive listening, I'd rank my favorites/ones I keep going back to as: TYRANT LEVII'S JEANS BODYGUARD RIIVERDANCE YA YA TEXAS HOLD 'EM BLACKBIRD JOLENE 16 CARRIAGES AMERIICAN REQUIIEM
...so yeah, rapidly getting all the way there with this album. I still think it's so heavy it almost collapses on the weight of itself but she's just keeping control over it all.
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#LisaRinna
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Post by #LisaRinna on Apr 1, 2024 12:14:41 GMT -5
Blackbird (beautiful cover) 16 Carriages My Rose Texas Hold'Em Bodyguard (a crossover late 90s bop, this is her best song in a good while) Jolene (she done made it gangsta, some of these lyrics sound like RHOA reads) Daughter (Bey came for Patricia Carey's dusty ole wig) Alliigator Tears (a bop) II Most Wanted (beautiful ballad, her and Miley sound great together) Levii's Jeans (Post Malone surprisingly snapped. Love the vibe) Ya Ya (another great bop, I hear a "These Boots Are Made for Walkin'" influence somewhere and definitely Rock n Roll which hints maybe at Act III? She hits some Elvis low notes too)
Basically she should've ended the album with "Amen" right after "Desert Eagle" cause the last few tracks started being incoherent, weird and drunk-like. I guess those are the songs that tie Act I and II together (which is why I didn't like the bulk of Renaissance), but they are the tracks that the tractors at the CMAs are gonna be looking at and thinking she is a phony. Too bad!
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PGriffin
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Post by PGriffin on Apr 1, 2024 12:57:59 GMT -5
Blackbird (beautiful cover) 16 Carriages My Rose Texas Hold'Em Bodyguard (a crossover late 90s bop, this is her best song in a good while) Jolene (she done made it gangsta, some of these lyrics sound like RHOA reads) Daughter (Bey came for Patricia Carey's dusty ole wig) Alliigator Tears (a bop) II Most Wanted (beautiful ballad, her and Miley sound great together) Levii's Jeans (Post Malone surprisingly snapped. Love the vibe) Ya Ya (another great bop, I hear a "These Boots Are Made for Walkin'" influence somewhere and definitely Rock n Roll which hints maybe at Act III? She hits some Elvis low notes too) Basically she should've ended the album with "Amen" right after "Desert Eagle" cause the last few tracks started being incoherent, weird and drunk-like. I guess those are the songs that tie Act I and II together (which is why I didn't like the bulk of Renaissance), but they are the tracks that the tractors at the CMAs are gonna be looking at and thinking she is a phony. Too bad! Hmmmm, If she had produced a paint by numbers country album then I think it would have come off as phony. I think having those songs inject her personality into the project if that makes sense.
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#LisaRinna
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Post by #LisaRinna on Apr 1, 2024 13:09:11 GMT -5
Blackbird (beautiful cover) 16 Carriages My Rose Texas Hold'Em Bodyguard (a crossover late 90s bop, this is her best song in a good while) Jolene (she done made it gangsta, some of these lyrics sound like RHOA reads) Daughter (Bey came for Patricia Carey's dusty ole wig) Alliigator Tears (a bop) II Most Wanted (beautiful ballad, her and Miley sound great together) Levii's Jeans (Post Malone surprisingly snapped. Love the vibe) Ya Ya (another great bop, I hear a "These Boots Are Made for Walkin'" influence somewhere and definitely Rock n Roll which hints maybe at Act III? She hits some Elvis low notes too) Basically she should've ended the album with "Amen" right after "Desert Eagle" cause the last few tracks started being incoherent, weird and drunk-like. I guess those are the songs that tie Act I and II together (which is why I didn't like the bulk of Renaissance), but they are the tracks that the tractors at the CMAs are gonna be looking at and thinking she is a phony. Too bad! Hmmmm, If she had produced a paint by numbers country album then I think it would have come off as phony. I think having those songs inject her personality into the project if that makes sense. I don't agree. I'm all for mixing genres but those last few songs just ain't IT.
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Post by @DiegoMarcondes_ on Apr 1, 2024 13:18:05 GMT -5
The 'only' thing I don't like about this album is the title and tracklist order.
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kimberly
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act i RENAISSANCE
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Post by kimberly on Apr 1, 2024 13:20:14 GMT -5
COWBOY CARTER is sitting pretty with a 93 on Metacritic after 12 reviews. 95 – Homecoming: The Live Album 93 - COWBOY CARTER92 – Lemonade 91 – RENAISSANCE 85 – Beyoncé
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Apr 1, 2024 13:27:23 GMT -5
Up to her highest meta score, beating Lemonade. Hope it stays there, I feel fairly confident after a whole lot of plays this weekend it deserves the title of her best so far.
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Active Aggressive
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Post by Active Aggressive on Apr 1, 2024 13:58:34 GMT -5
I'm so obsessed with "TYRANT" like I can't. I need to be sweaty drunk dancing to that yesterday. It's definitely continuing to open up and I'm going more from "distant appreciation of the grandiosity" to "actually loving this." Something about this experimentalism is actually feeling more authentic to me than ACT I; also, for some reason, putting this in the context that it was supposed to come first makes a lot more sense to me. After a weekend of more digestive listening, I'd rank my favorites/ones I keep going back to as: TYRANT LEVII'S JEANS BODYGUARD RIIVERDANCE YA YA TEXAS HOLD 'EM BLACKBIRD JOLENE 16 CARRIAGES AMERIICAN REQUIIEM ...so yeah, rapidly getting all the way there with this album. I still think it's so heavy it almost collapses on the weight of itself but she's just keeping control over it all. We're pretty much aligned here, regarding our feelings with the album. Also, yessssss to Tyrant. Self-titled is still my favorite of hers, but this is just so epic in scope.
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Carlitoz
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Post by Carlitoz on Apr 1, 2024 13:58:40 GMT -5
The 'only' thing I don't like about this album is the title and tracklist order. This morning that I played it while at the gym, it flowed so well!! I couldn't appreciate that the previous two times I listened to it.
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Active Aggressive
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Post by Active Aggressive on Apr 1, 2024 14:06:24 GMT -5
Up to her highest meta score, beating Lemonade. Hope it stays there, I feel fairly confident after a whole lot of plays this weekend it deserves the title of her best so far. It's her highest score out of any of her studio albums. Homecoming still ranks higher, technically. While I definitely think this is better than Renaissance and Lemonade (as well as some of her older albums), I'm not quite sure if I would put it over Beyonce, self-titled. That album is too perfect.
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@DjKingBee
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Post by @DjKingBee on Apr 1, 2024 14:13:37 GMT -5
Nothing beats messy ass BDAY. That's my fave bey album (I'm still mad we don't have Lost Yo mind " on streaming
Act 2 is good I feel like it is all over the place but feel after a few more lessons I will love it.
And I HATE daddy lessons so thought I would hate this album but I don't
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mew2
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Post by mew2 on Apr 1, 2024 14:17:26 GMT -5
Blackbird (beautiful cover) 16 Carriages My Rose Texas Hold'Em Bodyguard (a crossover late 90s bop, this is her best song in a good while) Jolene (she done made it gangsta, some of these lyrics sound like RHOA reads) Daughter (Bey came for Patricia Carey's dusty ole wig) Alliigator Tears (a bop) II Most Wanted (beautiful ballad, her and Miley sound great together) Levii's Jeans (Post Malone surprisingly snapped. Love the vibe) Ya Ya (another great bop, I hear a "These Boots Are Made for Walkin'" influence somewhere and definitely Rock n Roll which hints maybe at Act III? She hits some Elvis low notes too) Basically she should've ended the album with "Amen" right after "Desert Eagle" cause the last few tracks started being incoherent, weird and drunk-like. I guess those are the songs that tie Act I and II together (which is why I didn't like the bulk of Renaissance), but they are the tracks that the tractors at the CMAs are gonna be looking at and thinking she is a phony. Too bad! Opinions and all, but the last quarter of the album (from the Linda Martell interlude onwards) is the best part for me. It's like the after hours radio from 'back when' where black country is dancing unapologetically with all these other genres. Funny little things. And did I read Elvis? That's a funny way to spell Roy Hamilton.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Apr 1, 2024 14:18:15 GMT -5
Yes to the Tyrant love btw. That has crept up to maybe be my fav over even Riiverdance or II Hands. When she hits those vocals on “how not to cry” and then transitions seamlessly right back into Rap-yonce… career moment highlight tbh. Kinda thinking it could be a pop single too, getting very hard and confusing to figure out what they should push and where tbh.
And WHY is that last stretch of the album so incredible? It really is all over for me once Riiverdance hits, I know I’m setting aside 25 mins to get through Amen.
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#LisaRinna
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Post by #LisaRinna on Apr 1, 2024 14:48:47 GMT -5
And did I read Elvis? That's a funny way to spell Roy Hamilton. I said what I said. She sounded like Elvis to me in a couple of verses (02:47 to 02:52)
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#LisaRinna
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Post by #LisaRinna on Apr 1, 2024 14:50:07 GMT -5
Nothing beats messy ass BDAY. That's my fave bey album Finally!!
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Koochie
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Post by Koochie on Apr 1, 2024 14:57:51 GMT -5
Something about this experimentalism is actually feeling more authentic to me than ACT I My thoughts exactly. ACT I felt forced and… I don’t want to say uninspired, but for as much acclaim as it got, I thought it was too safe. Not one song on there besides “Break My Soul” fully committed. ACT II actually does, really from start to finish.
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Sir Benji
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Post by Sir Benji on Apr 1, 2024 17:42:18 GMT -5
I just got my CD and I can confirm that it is missing LINDA MARTELL SHOW, YAYA,SPAGETII, and OH LOUISIANA.
It also has an additional feature on one of the songs (that doesn't have one) and some alternate vocals on another one. 👀
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Active Aggressive
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Post by Active Aggressive on Apr 1, 2024 17:50:56 GMT -5
So, who is the additional feature and what song is it?
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Mike
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Post by Mike on Apr 1, 2024 18:45:32 GMT -5
Vinyl arrived today... can't open it since it's BF's birthday present.. But is her team going to do anything about these missing tracks? Credit towards a full version once it's pressed? I'm guessing not, but this is really not right to do to consumers. I guess if anything it will become a rarity down the line.
Not related directly to Bey, but I'm confused by the lack of manpower/facilities for vinyl pressings that we're constantly hearing about. There has been such an uptick in that physical medium over the last decade with no signs of slowing down. Why are these companies not keeping up / expanding to meet demand?
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Post by adamalterlago on Apr 1, 2024 18:52:22 GMT -5
So, who is the additional feature and what song is it? Flamenco is the “bonus” track on the CD.
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