Destiny's Child, the newest foursome of vivacious beauties from Houston, is the latest to try their hand at the R&B game. Their latest single, "No, No, No" which features Wyclef Jean, from the hip-hop trio The Fugees, has steadily climbed the R&B charts and is currently in heavy rotation at many radio stations.
However if history is any lesson, Destiny's Child is more likely destined to be orphans of fate than children of stardom.
Students at Dartmouth may already be familiar with the group, since they performed with Jean at a concert in Leede Arena last fall.
Since their performance, they have teamed up with the brightest lights in the R&B landscape to produce their first album, the self-entitled debut which features Jean, hip-hop producer Jermaine Dupri and rappers Master P and Pras, who is also of The Fugees.
Following the lead of such femme fatale groups on the R&B market as SWV, Cut Close and Changing Faces, Destiny's Child offers looks and attitude but little in the music department. Their harmonies are flat and predictable and lack originality. They have youth on their side however, and thus many tracks can be excused because of their inexperience in the market.
Of the 13 tracks on the album, only nine are original pieces. The other four tracks are remixes of the popular track "No, No, No" and "With Me," featuring Dupri in the first mix and Southern rapper, Master P in the reprise.
Beyonce, Kelly, La Tavia and Le Toya all hail from Houston and have been singing from the tender ages of nine and ten. The album has been an endeavor eight years in the making.
Teaming up with Music World's Management Matthew Knowles after a stint on Star Search, the group began headlining with other R&B groups like Dru Hill, Das EFX and SWV. On Star Search, the group competed in the newly established hip-hop category.
The quartet signed a deal with Columbia Records last year and this debut album is the love child of all their years of hard work.
The catchiest tune on the album has to be the already popular, "No, No, No" featuring tunesmith Jean. It embodies what the group is about -- suave yet sassy, youthful but full of knowledge.
The chorus rings of "No, No, No, No, No" and then "Yea, Yea, Yea, Yea" provide the mantra which addresses the advances of a would-be suitor. Although simple in its construction, the song remains a winner because with Jean at the helm of the song and serving as its producer, the track actually comes off with verve.
The next track featuring Dupri details the dubious history of a lover who "in the middle of the night leaves you alone." Featuring the melodic rift of voices, the track is wonderfully choreographed by Dupri who has made hits for other R&B artists such as Da Brat and Total.
Trying to change the pace a bit, the second half of the album concerns itself with all things romantic. Kelly provides the vocal gymnastics, La Tavia holds the foundation, Le Toya is the soprano and Beyonce sings the lead on most tracks including "Birthday" and "Illusion" which is a tribute to Andretta Tillman, a departed friend.
Destiny's Child reaches with its debut album. The vocal talent is there, the album includes some of the best minds in the R&B world, but the match of music and the quality of the tracks is less than desired.
Fans of Destiny's Child fare better just buy the "No, No, No" single than the entire album. Hopefully, Destiny's Child will prove to be winners on their second album. The group still has much growing up to do.
