Destiny’s Child – Writing’s On the Wall – CD
This silky-voiced Texan foursome combine hints of the slow, laconic sweetness of R&B mistress Erykah Badu with the tough, edgy pop of TLC. Like other US R&B girl groups, their follow-up to 1998’s self-titled debut comes with the suitable glossy sheen and hot, late 90s producer–in this case She’kspere, the dude behind TLC’s summer of 99 hit “No Scrubs”. His magical, minimalist touch makes tracks like “Bills Bills Bills” and “Bug A Boo” memorable for their insouciance, and deft, hardcore harmonies. Writer/producer Missy Elliot also puts in her several thousand dollars-worth on “Confessing”, a low-key love groove. Though teenagers when they recorded this album, Destiny’s Child sing convincingly of faithless lovers, e-mail stalkers, and extra-marital temptation, complete with cod-Shakespearean quotes. They also do a gospel version of “Amazing Grace”, letting their voices buck and weave a cappella. Apart from a few less than enthralling ballads, it¹s an engaging, sassy mix. –Lucy O’Brien
