Rihanna: Good Girl gone Bad Reviews
|
Just over a year after the release of her sophomore record ‘A Girl Like Me’, comes the brand new release from multi-platinum selling R&B singer Rihanna. ‘Good Girl Gone Bad’ is a mix of fresh hip-hop beats, more up-tempo and mid-tempo melodies and just a hint of rock supplied by catchy guitar hooks that stand out most noticeably on the single ‘Shut Up & Drive’.
The title, ‘Good Girl Gone Bad’, caused quite a stir in the media and begged the question; what does she mean by “Gone Bad”? Is our fresh-faced little diva trying to ditch her squeaky clean image and turn into…well…a little bad ass? Rihanna was recently quoted on saying “Bad is not sleazy. Bad has its own term to every individual and in my case it just means I’ve gotten a little rebellious on the album, broken out of my shell and I'm taking risks... Michael Jackson "Bad" kind of way.” This record has already peaked at #1 in numerous countries and includes the first single ‘Umbrella’ featuring Jay Z, also taking the world by storm and dominating the top of the charts.
As well as Jay Z, she teamed up with Justin Timberlake, Timbaland and Ne-Yo to create this what can only be described as little slice of modern R&B heaven!
01. Umbrella (Feat. Jay Z) – 10/10
As everyone probably already knows, this is the first single taken from the record and has got to be one of the most successful singles of 2007 so far. Awesome drum beats, beautiful metaphor and weather you love it or find it the most annoying song ever made, you’ll be left singing “Ella, ella, ella…” for hours on end no doubt!
02. Push Up On Me – 9/10
One of the stand-out tracks on the record, this would do well as a single. The “Gone Bad” image is introduced here with the sassy lyrics “Come up to my room you sexy little thing. I wish you would push up on me”… Getting hotter in here or is it just me?!
03. Don't Stop the Music – 8/10
This one seems to be quite a popular track with the fans so would probably also do well as a single. ‘Don’t Stop the Music’ has a fresh dance sound to it and would be a sure hit in the clubs. Co-written by no other but the king of pop himself, Michael Jackson!
04. Breakin' Dishes – 9/10
“I'm breaking dishes up in here all night. I ain't gonna stop until I see police lights!” Our girl is frickin’ angry in this one! Future boyfriends beware!
Awesome song. Killer hip-hop beats.
05. Shut Up & Drive – 10/10
Okay, this is where the rock sound is introduced. The song has a big beginning with an attention grabbing guitar hook that leads the rest of the song. There’s an awesome contrast between the ending of the previous hip-hop song and the explosion that is the beginning of this rock song. It’s magic. Really interesting lyrics here, she uses a car as an obvious metaphor for her body and well… sex. “Get cha where you wanna go if you know what I mean. Got a ride that’s smoother than a limosine. Can you handle the curves? Can you run all the lights? If you can baby boy then we can go all night”.
I’m so happy that this is the second single, it’s sure to be huge! Oh, and be sure to check out the music video.
06. Hate That I Love You (Feat. Ne-Yo) – 10/10
This is such a beautiful duet featuring the multi-talented singer/songwriter, Ne-Yo. The lyrics are about lovers who drive each other crazy, but at the same time are so in love with each other that it consumes them. This has a mid-tempo melody featuring a gorgeous acoustic guitar hook. Their voices go together like strawberries and cream and this would certainly make a great single.
07. Say It – 7/10
I really like this track, however it does come across as a bit of a “filler” so I have to give track number 7 a 7/10. Hot enough but certainly not one of her best.
08. Sell Me Candy – 9/10
This one is really catchy. It’s almost impossible to refrain from breaking into a little chair dance! The first song on the album produced by Timbaland.
09. Lemme Get That – 9/10
I suppose you could say this is the reggae song on the album. Addictive hooks, interesting lyrics; “Why spend mine when I can spend yours?”… the girl ain’t nothing but a ‘gold digga’ in this one! Also produced by Timbaland.
10. Rehab – 10/10
This track was written and features vocals by Justin Timberlake. My favourite track on the album apart from ‘Shut Up & Drive’. The man is a genius and this song is pure gold! “You’re the reason why I’m thinking I don’t wanna smoke all these cigarettes no more. I guess that’s what I get for wishful thinking, I soulda never let you enter my door… I gotta check into rehab cause baby you’re my disease”. Again, the hook runs around an acoustic guitar kinda sound. I really hope this is a single, I just love it!
11. Question Existing – 7/10
What can I say about this one? It’s my least favourite track on the album but lyrically it hits all the right notes. She gets really personal talking about how she may be in the spotlight but underneath she’s simply human like everyone else. She hurts, she gets tired and she hopes people will love her for who she really is inside not because of what she does for a living. Co-produced by Ne-Yo.
12. Good Girl Gone Bad – 10/10
The title track on the album. The hook reminds me a little of Beyonce’s ‘Irreplaceable’ and it’s really catchy. This awesome track perfectly finishes off the record and leaves you wanting more. “Once a good girl goes bad, we gone forever…”
Over-all I’d have to give ‘Good Girl Gone Bad’ by Rihanna 9/10. By far her best album so far and well deserves a listen.
Steven's Review:
Rihanna has been known as the Summer Chart Topper since the ‘04 release of "Pon De Replay". The song was the debut single off her first album "Music of the Sun". The album produced another hit "If It's Lovin' That You Want", which as the disc's final single. The album sold over one million copies worldwide.
Almost one year later Rihanna was back with another Summer Smash single, "S.O.S", which was the first single off her sophomore album "A Girl like Me". She then released the massive successful song "Unfaithful". She later then chose "We Ride" as the last single off the album. The song flopped, but the 2nd album from the Chart Toping Queen, proved to be a big success selling over 3.5 million copies worldwide!
Now Rihanna's back with her 3rd studio album "Good Girl Gone Bad". The album starts with the song everyone has been caught humming in the past 3 months, "Umbrella". The song features Jay. Z and is catchy has hell.
The album goes onto a more dance-type sound for songs "Push UpOn Me", and "Don’t Stop The Music". The sound is refreshing and works well with Rihannas vocal capability.
The next song is "Breakin Dishes", and while it may take some getting used to, it’s sure to be drilled into your brain from the second the song is finished. Rihanna chants "I’m don’t know who you think I am, but I really don’t give a damn" It has an overall catchy beat, and is sure to be a single.
Rihanna breaks out a new sound for the next song on the album, "Shut up and Drive". With the electric guitars and a Hip Hop/Dancy sound blending nicely, it works. The lyrics aren’t exactly genius, but it’s a fun sound, and already doing well on the charts, as it is the albums 2nd single.
The next song "Hate That I Love You" features Ne-Yo, and is a semi-ballad. The acoustic guitar in the background, mashed up with Hand Claps and a relaxing beat, makes it a good song. Lyrics are simple, but relatable, and the entire tone of the song puts you in the artist's situation. You certainly wont "Hate That You Love" this track.
The album next offers up the song "Say It". It’s a slower song, with extremely simple lyrics. It’s a tad repetitive, and on the verge of annoying. Not overall a bad song just one that this album could do without.
Next is "Sell Me Candy". It sells naughty lyrics, and a beat that makes you want to dance. Its fun, innocently-naughty and enjoyable all at the same time. It’s pure ear candy.
"Lemme Get That" is a trace back to her reggae roots, combined with a Hip Hop sound.
"Rehab" is what "Unfaithful" wants to be when it grows up; a catchy smooth, instrumentally great ballad. Rihannas voice works perfectly with the song, and it’s almost set in stone that this is the song that will be played at every slow dance for the next year. Not that the lyrics don’t exactly represent true love, it’s just the overall flow of the song is almost undeniably romantic.
The next song is "Question Existing", and its Four minutes and eight seconds of boredom. At times you can hardly understand what Rihanna is singing, and the beat is bland. It’s another song the album could do without, and you'll find yourself skipping this track each time you listen to the disk.
The final song (and also the title song) "Good Girl Gone Bad", begins with a smooth acoustic guitar then moves in with the Hand Claps and the Beat. The lyrics are decent, and Rihannas vocals are charming. It’s a great way to end the album, and a great song.
Now if you live in the UK "Good Girl Gone Bad", isn’t the final song; "Cry" is. It’s a piano based ballad, about Rihannas heart being broken. Rihanna sings "And I’ve, got all the symptoms, Of a girl with a broken heart, But no matter what you'll never see me cry" Its a peaceful song, with nice vocals, and good instrumentally.
Overall I think Rihanna has finally done it… made a solid album. Her first two disc's were lacking personality, but "Good Girl Gone Bad" has more then enough to go around. Final rating for the album is 4/5 stars.
With summer in its peak, this album will be sure to never leave your CD player.