Saturday 12 November 2011

Album review: Rihanna "Rated R"+ "Loud" = "Talk that Talk"



I wasn't really that a big of a fan of Rihanna's last album Loud. Loved some of the singles like Only Girl (In the world) and S and M, as well as the sexy album cut Skin, but for me it had it's fingers in too many musical pies to really be considered an album of real merit. Well, Rihanna seems to have learnt her lesson in that year away from the studio, and has returned more focused and confident on Talk that Talk.

Lyrically this album is smut central, with sexually charged lyrics that put S and M to shame abundant throughout. Whereas other Divas have felt insincere and exploitive when they've tackled sexually charged material, this route actually feels very natural for Rihanna.

The dirty lyrics may be a turn-off to many a listener but it sure sounds good over the dirty, sleazy sounding production that can be found on title track Talk that Talk, Arabian sounding Birthday Cake, 80's inspired Rock Me Out and island influenced, grind-tastic Watch N learn.

There are less sexually charged moments too, like the number one smash We Found love, or the The XX's sampled Drunk On Love, but the lack of perverseness is replaced by a darker, bitter sweet undertone.

If you are looking for the tracks that aren't going to turn your cheeks red, or the air blue, then head straight to the brilliant Where Have You Been, which manages to cleverly intertwine the melody and lyrics of the country classic, I've Been Everywhere with a swirling contemporary club sound. Or, if you miss the more poppier side of Rihanna, look to You Da One. A fun, light and bouncy love song that brings back memoires of a younger, more innocent Rihanna... Well if you ignore some of the saucier innuendo.

Vocally, Rihanna has never been stronger: high chest notes- Drunk on love- held notes-Where Have You Been, Farewell- vocal variation-Watch N Learn, Birthday Cake-and an overall air of confidence permeates this project. Though many deride her abilities Rihanna is actually becoming quite the vocalist, and whereas her contemporary, Britney Spears, stopped building on her unique tone, Rihanna's fire has pushed her to constantly hone and improve her instrument. There even rumours that Rihanna hits her highest note ever on one of the deluxe edition's songs.

Conclusion: Sex no doubt sells, but with Rihanna's Talk That Talk it doesn't feel like that's what the intention was for her heading so boldly in this direction on the album. Instead, it feels like a natural progression of an edgy 23 year old who's intent on pushing the boundaries of pop music in her own way. Talk That Talk is not going to change the world, or even your life, but its a brilliant collection of single worthy songs that are sure to insure Rihanna keeps hitting that number 1 spot. Mariah, watch out!!

Download: You Da One, Where Have You Been,Birthday Cake.
Rating: B+

15 comments:

  1. I love Rihanna, I really do. However, this album sounds like nothing but old album rejects that they put together for this album.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Just listened to the album... brilliant isn't exactly the word I would use...

    ReplyDelete
  3. Is this going to be the album that makes me like her? I really am not a fan, I feel left out as everyone else seems to be! I do wish she'd take a break though, since 'Umbrella' she doesn't seem to have stopped.

    ReplyDelete
  4. She does keep churning them out, though with this album it seems like she's had more input ,being credited as a writer on 4 of the tracks. How much she actually wrote God only knows!! l

    ReplyDelete
  5. I think I may be in the minority with my thoughts on this album! Did you like the last album, Loud?

    ReplyDelete
  6. It doesn't seem to be going down too well with the blog readers, but I'm really enjoying it.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Loud was okay...I don't know, her music just seems so generic and simplistic.  However, I did enjoy the tracks Rock Me Out and Talk that Talk. 

    ReplyDelete
  8. I'm not so sure she used the xx's Intro sample on Drunk On Love to especially stirring effect. My money's on We Found Love and Watch n' Learn. ;D

    ReplyDelete
  9. Yeah, I have to agree with that about the sample

    ReplyDelete
  10. I'm not a fan of Rihanna at all but I do like to dance or sing along to I think it's "We Found Love." I probably won't be listening to this album.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Oh nice, thanks for your
    information!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Good review but I wasn't impressed by the album. 

    ReplyDelete
  13. I love this album very much. Rihanna is stronger than ever. My favorite cuts include Talk That Talk, You Da One, Where Have You Been, Cockiness (Love It), Fool in Love, Do Ya Thang and pretty much the whole album. =D

    ReplyDelete
  14. I've never been a Rihanna fan before but this album surprised me. Not expecting any A grade material really helped me develop a taste for this album. Not all Artists have to have super serious material to be a good artist. Rihanna is more of a party artist, and there's nothing wrong with that. This album really stood out to me for some reason. Maybe its the sound of it. Loud really annoyed me in every way possible but after hearing You da one I really began to like Rihanna more. I think you gave it a perfect rating.

    ReplyDelete