The Writing's on the Wall - Destiny's Child (CD 1999)

The History of Destiny's Child:
It's been said so long, and it's so gone. Everyone knows the history of D.C.

Introduction of "The Writing's On The Wall":
It's an album that has the 14 commandments of relationships. The album is filled with male-bashing, very slick production, and one very famous thing: BEYONCE'.

Track Listing:
1. Intro (The Writing's On The Wall) (***)
2. So Good (****)
3. Bills, Bills, Bills (****1/2)
4. Confessions (feat. Missy Elliot)(****1/2)
5. Bug-A-Boo (****)
6. Temptation (****1/2)
7. Now That She's Gone (****)
8. Where'd You Go (*****)
9. Hey Ladies (*****)
10. If You Leave (feat. Next) (****)
11. Jumpin, Jumpin (****1/2)
12. Say My Name (****)
13. She Can't Love You (****)
14. Stay (****)
15. Sweet Sixteen (****)
16. Outro (Amazing Grace...Dedicated To Andretta Tillman)(****)

I'll start with the 4 singles first. "Bills, Bills, Bills" was the first single and it was rightly so. It went straight to No.1. The production was slick at it's best. Beyonce' and somewhat Kelly sounded great on the song. The chorus is a little hilarious: "Can you pay my bills? Can you pay my telephone bills? Can you pay automo bills? Then maybe we could chill. I don't think you do, so you & me are through". "Bug-A-Boo" was their second hit off the album. It has a weird a** title for a song. It's about someone who bugs the hell out of you. Beyonce', once again, sings the lead. The lyrics are slick and snarky: "So what? You bought me a pair of shoes. What? Now I guess you think I owe you. You don't have to call as much as you do. I'd give them back to be through with you." While the production is slick, when you listen to it closely you hear layers of production on top of each other. "Say My Name" was their third hit off the album produced by Rodney Jerkins. It also went to No.1. If you never heard of the song, well..hey! The song is about a woman who think her man is creeping cause he don't say her name no more. The song is completely different from the other songs Rodney does. The song sounds funky. The emotions aren't really there, though. "Jumpin, Jumpin" is their fourth hit from the album. It was a bangin song. The music was thumpin, the beats made you get stompin, and the lyrics were clever, but true.

"Intro (The Writing's On The Wall)" is so chessy, but I listen to it all the time to hear the Spanish guitar played beautifully. The intro is about a group of ladies who plays as an Italian Mafia trying to change the ways of relationships. Cheesy as hell. "So Good" is a song produced by She'kspere (Who also produced "Bills, Bills, Bills,", "Bug-A-Boo", "Hey Ladies", and "She Can't Love You"). The song was very popular aside from the singles. It's the usual "You thought I was nothing, but now I'm successful" song. The production is slick, but there is one slight problem that also occurs in "Bills, Bills, Bills" and "Hey Ladies". There is one production that sounds like a bubble is popping and it's slightly annoying.

"Hey Ladies" is my favorite song off the album. The production is tight, the lyrics are clever, and they show emotions of being confused & the vulnerability. It's another male bashing song: "Hey ladies! Why is it that? Men can go do us wrong. Why is it that? We just decide to keep holding on." It should have definitely been a single. "Where'd You Go" is another highlight of the album. The title basically explains the song. The song is addictive. The beats are great and so is the production. Beyonce' sings very well, even though she overdoes it on the "whoas". "Temptation" is another favorite song off the album. The song is completely laid back & jazzy. There is a part in both verses where she rip offs Barney: "Sexy boy/ You so fly, I wish I could give you a try/ But my man's at home waiting for me by the phone/ Sorry, can't get my groove on."

"Stay", in my opinion, is the best ballad. It sounds like a pop ballad & out of place, but the song is great. The song is her asking her man to stay. The melody sounds great, the lyrics are simple, and *gasps* Beyonce' doesn't overdo it with her singing. They could cut down on the "stay" though. "Sweet Sixteen" is a song that is also out of place. It *gasps* actually delivers a great message: "Thou should cherish life". The music is great with it's acoustic guitar & beat. It gives a South-West vibe to the song. "Outro" is actually "Amazing Grace" which is dedicated to the late-Andrea Tillerman who was their first manager for the group. They sing it wonderfully or really Beyonce'. What is messed up is that Kelly gets only a few lines in the song.

That concludes to the review of The Writing's On The Wall. Being a male, the male-bashing doesn't bother me. It's just a song, but the messages are repititive. Now I'm done with a new commandment: "Thou should look around at Epinions.com, since he has been gone for a while."