Sasha Fierce was a pretty crappy album, but wow…did it ever have a centerpiece. 2008′s “Single Ladies (put a ring on it)” was a pop masterpiece. Beyonce was newly married, so the nuptial anthem had a personal vibe, as well as a fresh catch phrase, and non-cliche empowerment.

B’s new album, 4, is also pretty crappy, especially considering the “too big to fail” dream team of writers and producers. And the shortcomings of the album fall squarely on those writers. Beyonce, after all, is not a songwriter. She’s a singer, and she sings the HELL out of this album, like always. Maybe even better. But, phoned in lyrics (“sucks to be you” among them) and lack of fresh direction beach this album. But unlike Sasha, there is no mega-single coming to the rescue this time. The would-be savior is “Who Run The World (Girls)”, which simply co-opts on Single-Ladies’ already blazed trail of empowerment.

All that being said, there are some cool facets to 4′s production, paying homage to the electronic music of the 1980′s, and each of her producers (including Kanye, Babyface, Frank Ocean, The Dream, AfroJack, Diplo, etc) all leave their distinct fingerprints on tracks, and Andre3000 makes a rare cameo that satisfies, with his signature drawl still dripping with wit and swagger. Nevertheless, with no blockbusting single, it is mostly underwhelming, save for Beyonce’s voice, which sounds its best.