B'Day
by Beyoncé
  • Record Label: Sony
  • Release Date: Sep 5, 2006
Metascore
70

Generally favorable reviews - based on 23 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 13 out of 23
  2. Mixed: 10 out of 23
  3. Negative: 0 out of 23
  1. The New York Times
    60
    “B’Day” isn’t an ingratiating or seductive album, but it is nervy and fascinating.
  2. PopMatters
    60
    There are more winning moments on B-Day than there are weak moments.
  3. Observer Music Monthly
    60
    It's still a career high, but B'Day could have been released at any point in the last three-and-a-half years and, in a year which has given us tracks like Justin Timberlake's 'SexyBack', it already sounds stale.
  5. Rolling Stone
    60
    While the mostly up-tempo disc never lacks for energy, some of the more beat-driven tracks (such as the throwaway "Freakum Dress") feel harmonically and melodically undercooked, with hooks that don't live up to "Crazy in Love" or the best Destiny's Child hits.
  6. Q Magazine
    60
    Harmless fun. [Nov 2006, p.149]
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  7. cokemachineglow
    56
    Beyoncé’s an artist who’s not sure how to sell her full personality and craft in lieu of selling what she thinks we want.
  8. New Musical Express (NME)
    50
    Occasionally... she does hint at her past genius. [2 Sep 2006, p.21]
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  9. Uncut
    50
    B'Day sounds oddly de-energised. [Nov 2006, p.100]
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  10. E! Online
    42
    Appallingly not so good.
  11. NOW Magazine
    40
    Too bad only the icily sardonic Irreplaceable has any real weight or relevance.

Awards & Rankings

5
#5 Most Discussed Album of 2006
34
#34 Most Shared Album of 2006

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
7.6

Generally favorable reviews- based on 722 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 550 out of 722
  2. Mixed: 50 out of 722
  3. Negative: 122 out of 722
  1. MichaelH
    Sep 2, 2006
    10
    The most amazing album of 2006, she is the #1 R&B or Pop female out right now hands down.
  2. Plamen
    Aug 3, 2012
    10
    "B'Day" is just a timeless classic album filled with some of Beyoncé's best uptempos (Déjà Vu, Upgrade U, Freakum Dress,"B'Day" is just a timeless classic album filled with some of Beyoncé's best uptempos (Déjà Vu, Upgrade U, Freakum Dress, Get Me Bodied) and her best midtempos and ballads (Irreplaceable, Resentment, Flaws and All).… Full Review »
  3. LilyG
    Sep 13, 2006
    10
    The album is fantastic, and one of the best albums of the year. The album on the surface may come across as just a fun dance album. But if The album is fantastic, and one of the best albums of the year. The album on the surface may come across as just a fun dance album. But if you really listen closely the album has some great lyrics and thought-provoking theme when it comes to relationships.… Full Review »
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