Survivor

Survivor, the album, is sure to have the same effect as the TV show: It’ll be a sensation for months, then you’ll pray for it to go away. Flush with Grammy success, the Destiny’s Child trio (until further notice) is firmly controlled by star Beyoncé Knowles, whose catchy synthpop plays like a self-affirmation session: She’s good enough, she’s smart enough, and goshdarn it, people want to nail her. Throughout she gives shout-outs to independent females, including her favorite—herself. A sample of Stevie Nicks’ “Edge of Seventeen” drives “Bootielicious,” but Beyoncé’s no white-winged dove: “I don’t think you’re ready for this jelly/My body too bootielicious for ya, babe.” The tribe has spoken.