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,Survivoris way  too frenetic. Even with some strong singing and songs (most notably the  laid back "Fancy"),Survivorlacks real emotion.--Amy  Linden