Review
Rihanna: Loud (2010 The Island Def Jam Music Group)
5.9
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UK release date 12.11.2010
Despite stating that she didn’t want to make an album of generic tunes in the mould of Lady Gaga or Katy Perry, the majority of the tracks on 'Loud' fall into exactly that category.
Attempting to follow the Madonna blueprint of rising from teen singer to risqué sex icon Rhianna tries to convince the listener from the outset that she’s a bad girl who loves the smell of sex and whips and chains but it’s about as convincing as Atomic Kitten telling us they all enjoy shooting Heroin, especially when moments later we get a slew slushy ballads.
Unnecessary Autotune is present throughout, tainting the few moments she finally unleashes her fine voice. The only true moment of individuality on the album comes with 'Man Down', where we hear the sound of Rihanna as the role playing singer. The album has plenty of hits and plenty of lighter in the air moments but little in the way of substance or progression from someone on their fifth album.
Words ADAM IRVING
