| 
Review: Jack Foley
BARBADOS-born singer, Rihanna, is the latest 'next big thing'
to emerge from America, having been snapped up by Jay-Z's label,
Def Jam Recordings, on the strength of just one audition.
The 17-year-old specialises in effortlessly upbeat reggae and
dancehall tracks with an R'n'B twist, as epitomised by her breakthrough
single, Pon de Replay.
Her debut album, Music of the Sun, follows along in
similar fashion, emerging as a hopelessly catchy collection of
Caribbean-soaked dance tracks that provide an amiable, if not
overly memorable soundtrack to any party.
Vocally, Rihanna is particularly striking, employing a voice
that, at different stages, provokes comparisons with the husky
intensity of Nelly Furtado (on The Last Time), the smooth
ballad style of Whitney Houston (on Now I Know), or the
carefree party spirit of Beyonce (on If It's Lovin' That You
Want).
That said, she is much better when keeping things breezy, as
attempts to get serious backfire slightly amid some generic ballad
material that belies her young age.
Now I Know, especially, is a formulaic love song that's
a little too prone to sappy lyrics ('sometimes a happy ending
doesn't last'). It's also hard to take seriously when sung by
someone aged 17.
But Pon de Replay, with its clap-happy beats and 'come
Mr DJ, won't you turn the music up' lyrics, embrace the party
spirit and compel you to dance.
While If It's Lovin' That You Want is a calypso-style
breeze courtesy of some nice steel drums and a free spirit that
embraces its youthful roots.
Elsewhere, it's the same blend of feel-good party anthems and
slightly more serious R'n'B-style chart fodder that is presumably
designed to showcase the vocal diversity of the artist at the
earliest opportunity.
Needless to say, for an album that's called Music of the
Sun, it works best when keeping things bright; the clouds
only start to appear once Rihanna turns serious.
So let's hope that the singer approaches her career with this
in mind.
|
 |
Track listing:
1. Pon De Replay
2. Here I Go Again
3. If It's Lovin' That You Want
4. You Don't Love Me (No, No, No)
5. That La, La, La
6. The Last Time
7. Willing To Wait
8. Music Of The Sun
9. Let Me
10. Rush
11. There's A Thug In My Life
12. Now I Know
13. Pon De Replay [Clean Remix]
14. Should I
|
