Rihanna, an American Idol Winner?

OK, there have been a few Idol winners with kick-ass first CDs. I’m not ashamed to say I dig Kelly Clarkson, and I even bought Ruben’s CD.

But um, Rihanna, what happened? I don’t recall dialing a number for you so Seacrest could announce that you beat the runner-up by 2,584 votes. So what gives with putting out a CD that sounds as generic, as packaged as an Idol CD?

I dig Rihanna. I still jam her earlier songs; “Shut Up and Drive” is one of my favorite because it shows her versatility. I went into this CD wanting to like it despite others talking about how bad it was.

Well, I came, I listened, I disliked.

And I think I disliked because the lyrics of the songs, what I think Rihanna was trying to convey, gets overshadowed (or is out of sync) with the beats and music that’s layered with the vocals. In a lot of the songs, I get her angst and anger, but the music SO does not fit the mood she’s trying to convey. It’s so disconcerting. Wish there could be a DO OVER on it. Seriously.

Why am I throwing the “American Idol” card? Feels like this CD has a major clash between someone with something to say (the singer) and higher ups trying to make the music do something else (producers, etc.) This might have been cool for a first CD, but after “Shut Up and Drive,” “Umbrella,” “Unfaithful,” “Take a Bow,” and others, it’s hard to hear this CD.

Overall CD grade (based on songs and based on my hope of what another CD from Rihanna, considering the escalation of her previous success, would bring): C- (songs, C) // (expectations, D)

Song breakdown- thoughts as I listened

Mad House – C+ – kinda liked this intro – makes me anticipate the CD.

Wait Your Turn – C – waited for that SOMETHING to hit the song and get me into it, but halfway through, it just seemed redundant, insignificant. Think it was the music…Not sure if it were too much or not enough for the song.

Hard – C – does hardly anything for me. Like “Wait Your Turn,” waited for it to get me, make my head nod, body sway, something. Beats are cool – vocals, bland. Again, seems to be a clash of music/vocals.

Stupid in Love – B- – Piano at the very beginning got me, and I thought, “This is going to be a good one, watch.” And it was good. It felt like it was something more attached, more personal to Rihanna, and it resonated with me.

Rockstar 101 – B – OK, beat at the beginning gets me. I even smiled, nodded head, thought, “OK, she gonna do something good right here.” I dig this one.

Russian Roulette – C- – beginning made me think it would be cool, but it didn’t do anything for me. OK music, beats, lyrics, vocals – didn’t have that extra something to kick it up a notch. Think that match of those things is what was off-putting for me.

Fire Bomb – C- – I almost liked – probably because of the guitar. In the hook, Rihanna’s voice made me go “Huh?” when she dipped her vocals low. The vocal move didn’t sound like a good one for me; felt very…hmm…”American Idol.”

Rude Boy – C- – I’m starting to think Rihanna is trying to hook us in with a cool beginning and then wallow us in an OK, mundane song. Again, I liked the beginning. OK, and don’t say the same thing three times just to fill space, LOL– Want, want, want. It does nothing for me.

Photographs – D – Beginning of song and end of song – music, feel, vibe, so off for me. Feels disconnected.

G4L – C – I kinda like this one…maybe that slight edge to it draws me in. But I have to say, so far in listening to this CD, I’m like WHOSE CD IS THIS? Doesn’t seem to have a real personality. It’s almost like I’m looking at the CD through thick gauze. Like it’s there, I see it, but not clearly.

Te Amo – D – Generic. Next.

Cold Case Love – C+ – Feel the metaphor is a bit cheesy, but this song at least seemed to BE something.

The Last Song – C – laughed at title, considering it’s the last song on the CD. Music seemed TOO MUCH for the song.

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