Music Album: Loud by Rihanna

Over the years, Rihanna has become a house hold name and one of the worlds biggest stars. Her fashion sense is admired by thousands and her songs are loved by millions. Since 2005 when she popped up on the music scene, she has won three grammys, toured the world and racked up 9 #1 records, most of which were worldwide number one hits, in the USA she has become the first artist to rack up more than 3 number-one singles in a year and she has also racked up the most number ones from 2000-2010. Often criticised for her vocals and inability to write or create her own songs, one thing is for sure though, this bajan beauty is not going anywhere. Last year, we saw a dark, sinister side with her Rated R album. With her latest offering LOUD, Rihanna is hoping to capture the same success of her previous and most widely-received album Good Girl Gone Bad, and in my opinion falls short.

Loud does contain some worthy tracks, the brilliant first single ONLY GIRL (In The World) and the fantastic WHAT'S MY NAME (featuring DRAKE). Other songs seem to lack the brilliance of any of her songs on previous albums, the cheesy Avril Lavigne-sampled CHEERS (DRINK TO THAT) and the highly unnecessary duet with Nicki Minaj called RAINING MEN will put you off the album and annoy you, she does however catch the attention of her listeners again, with what I will consider to be her best song ever, the reggae-themed MAN DOWN sees her singing about killing a guy she was in love with, by embracing her caribbean roots she was able to deliver one of the best heartache songs ever made, with lines like "Oh mama mama mama
I just shot a man down, In central station, In front of a big ol crowd". FADING, CALIFORNIA KING BED and the metaphoric S&M are other notable mentions but another outstanding track is the sexually charged SKIN with its addictive beat and naughty lyrics, she sings "Almost there, So baby don't stop what you're doing, Softer than them others, Boy I know you wanna touch, breathing down my neck,I can tell ya wanna..."

I like the fact that with every album she releases, she comes up with the perfect image and look for the album, greats like Madonna and Janet Jackson did the same, which really says a lot about Rihanna and her team. Not only do her songs make hit records but she has the look and marketability to make her albums work. The content of Loud is very reminiscent of her Good Girl Gone Bad album but I still think that Rated R had more substance than this album. I will give her an A for the effort and for continuing to take risks that eventually work in her favour.