The Twitter votes are in and the winner is another artist’s top 5. We did one pop queen last week, so let’s keep the vibe going. Much like Madonna, Beyoncé had a new release in the last few weeks and is getting ready for a new record. I compare her to David Bowie in the title because there are a lot of parallels. Much like Bowie, Beyoncé mastered her genre early in her career. Bowie pretty much did everything in rock by the time of his Let’s Dance record. He then sort of meandered until totally changing his sound with Earthling. Albums like Hours, The Next Day and Blackstar would see him continually experiment with his sound and try new genres. Similarly, Beyoncé would tackle aspects of rock and country in her later career. Much like Bowie’s ‘Thin Man’ and “Ziggy Stardust,’ Beyoncé would adopt an alter ego, ‘Sasha Fierce,’ for artistic freedom. So, there is a lot of similarities between Bowie and Beyoncé…but what are her top 5 albums?
Beyoncé came out of the gate with a banger. This was her first solo record and the title track is magic. Guest features by Jay Z and Missy Elliott really heighten the record and give it added depth. Hits like Crazy in Love and Me, Myself and I elevate this debut record from a solid solo effort from someone who left a band to a top 10 debut record ever. The reason this is not higher on my list is that I think some later records show off her artistic creativity more than this, which is a pretty straight forward R&B pop record. Not her best record, but an amazing record that is at home at number 5.
4. Beyoncé
This is a controversial pick for people. I love 4 and B Day, but it is hard for me to look past this record. First off, this record ushered in the surprise drop technique that Taylor Swift, Bieber and Drake have used recently. Also, this was sort of a comeback for Beyoncé. Even though I loved 4, it did not sell great at the time and I think has gotten more fans recently. Beyoncé then had a record all about her identity and creating a new voice for herself. Tracks like XO, Pretty Hurts, Drunk in Love and Partition were departures from her typical pop sound. She started using lush electro landscapes mixed with some elements of hip hop and EDM. I love this record and it has really kickstarted a creative explosion for Beyoncé.
This is a very divisive record….people probably want this off the list or number 1. I couldn’t put it higher than 3, but it needs to be on the list. Much like how Bowie zagged and went full EDM on Earthling, Beyoncé jumped genre and redefined country. She was already partly there with the success of Daddy Lessons and playing that with The Chicks at the CMAs. Having artists like Dolly Parton, Willie Nelson and Linda Martell honoured early country pioneers, while artists like Shaboozey and Willie Jones highlight modern country. Throw in Paul McCartney, Post Malone and Miley Cyrus and you have all the stars coming out. Themes of race, sex, gender and class come through some of the sexiest country you will ever hear. Covers of Jolene and Blackbird brought those tracks to new audiences. Other tracks like Tyrant, 16 Carriages, Texas Hold-Em and Spaghetti show how we can expand the genre. Country music needed a kick in the ass and this was it.
When Beyoncé took on her alter ego Sasha Fierce, no one really knew what to expect. What you got was an aggressive and sexy album overflowing with hits. Diva takes on the hyper-masculine world of hip hop hustlers and turns it on its head. Other tracks like Halo, If I Were a Boy and Single Ladies were pop mega hits, while deep tracks like Video Phone are glittery gems waiting true members of the hive. This is a very powerful record with Beyoncé taking largely feminist themes head on with such strength its inspiring. With all these hits, you probably wonder why it’s not number 1….well….
1 Lemonade
This concept record goes beyond being a good album to an artistic achievement. She mixes genre from rock, to club to country with ease and the power she brings to this album is out of this world. Tracks flow into each other as Beyoncé works through the stages of grief around being cheated on with flare and power. She goes through anger, blaming herself, sadness, hoplesness and ultimately forgiveness. Tracks like Don’t Hurt Yourself, Hold Up, Daddy Lessons, 6 Inch, Freedom and Sandcastles encompass a variety of genres and musical fusion…I mean…she has Jack White and Kendrick Lamar on the same track. Throw in Formation, which is a top 5 activist track ever, and you have an artistic achievement rarely seen in music. This concept record can go up against any concept records in music and is a perfect album.
Let me know what you think of my list in the comments or on Twitter. Also, what other artists or bands would you like to see in a top 5?
CigarJukebox 
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