The first reason you should be excited about the new Destiny's Child album doesn't have much to do with music: Beyonce Knowles is the most beautiful woman in the world, and listening to Destiny's Child makes you think about Beyonce, which is never bad.

Is that shallow? Maybe. But it's true.

The second reason is a little simpler: You should be excited about the new Destiny's Child album because it's the sound of the future.

That amped-up style, those overprocessed acoustic guitars and too-fast-for-the-beat singing have been Destiny's Child's gift to the world. And every couple years, they seem to come out with a song that absolutely blows everything on the radio (and even their accepted formula) away: "Bills Bills Bills," "Survivor" (I didn't like this song at first, but I realize now I didn't get it; it rocks unbelievably hard), Beyonce's "Crazy in Love," and now, "Lose My Breath."

If you haven't heard "Lose My Breath" yet, you're missing out; the stuttering marching band beat is undeniably the greatest noise in all of 2004's pop music, and the women sound incredible.

"Lose My Breath" will spawn its share of imitators in the coming months, as all the big Destiny's Child songs have.

And then there'll be other singles from Destiny Fulfilled, there'll be touring and press and movie roles and stuff, but eventually, Destiny's Child will go away for a couple years again.

But around 2007, mark my words, Beyonce, Kelly and Michelle will reform like Voltron and change things up all over again. For right now, though, what we have is "Lose My Breath," and once more, Destiny's Child has broken the mold.

The third reason you should be excited for Destiny Fulfilled is that "Lose My Breath" isn't alone; there are maybe half a dozen tracks here that point to better days ahead for modern R&B.

The sultry "T-Shirt" and the heavenly "Free" don't innovate so much as set the pace, and the rest of the record is full of beautifully-crafted pop tunes, each as mellow and memorable as the next.

It even seems like the girls have been keeping an ear to the underground, as it's easy to imagine soulfully twisted hip-hop super producers like the RZA and MF Doom behind the boards for "Is She the Reason" and "Girl."

Though Destiny Fulfilled is as satisfying as modern R&B gets these days, it's a little too ballad-heavy; Destiny's Child has always been best when the songs were at their loudest, but Fulfilled only has two real bangers for, like, nine burners.

It's this ratio that holds a potentially great album in the "pretty good" category; not disappointing, just a little too relaxed for the group that brought you "Jumpin' Jumpin'."

Almost every track is outstanding, but Destiny Fulfilled (and the music-listening public) could use one more great Destiny's Child club song. Maybe in a couple more years?

The fourth reason you should be excited about the new Destiny's Child album is, in fact, a question: Do you really need another reason to be excited about it?

Seriously, if you like R&B, when Tuesday rolls around, pick up Destiny Fulfilled.

I know I will.