RATED R - RIHANNA
A REVIEW
MAD HOUSE (INTRODUCTION)
"A terrifying warning for what’s to come. Eye-opening like the introduction to the Twilight Zone TV Series. Rihanna's vocals in this are simple, grungy and effective."
Best Line: To those of you who think that they can take it/ we say: Welcome, to the Mad House.
Rating: 4/5
WAIT YOUR TURN
“Almost a play on how anticipated this album was. Announced suddenly barely a month until release, this was the first taster we had, it’s repeated “the wait is ova, the wait is ova!” really had the die hard fans begging for more. Standalone, it would work brilliantly as a single. It’s Memorable, punchy and independent.”
Best Line: It’s just the way the game is played, its best that you just wait your turn.
Rating: 4.5/5
HARD (FEATURING JEEZY)
“Undoubtedly one of the bests on the album. The comeback song; Rihanna showing that no matter how much abuse she’s got, she coming back ready to fight.”
Best Line: Amma do whatever, no pain is forever. YUP. You noticed.
Rating: 5/5
STUPID IN LOVE
“Possibly the last morsal on this album of what Rihanna used to be. It feels brilliantly like ‘Unfaithful’ or ‘Take a Bow’. But it’s a love song, and there’s nothing wrong with it. One of the weaker tracks, but still half decent.”
Best Line: Let me tell you something/ Never have I been a size 10 in my whole life
Rating: 3/5
ROCKSTAR 101 (FEATURING SLASH)
“Another one of these punchy, new look, ‘take no shit’ songs from the album. Her blatant ‘I know what I am’ take on this is brilliant. I can’t hear any Slash in it, but it’s naughty, catchy, ‘hands in the air’ rock music nevertheless.
Best Line: Six inch walker / Big sh** talker /I never play the victim /I’d rather be a stalker.
Rating: 4.5/5
RUSSIAN ROULETTE
On first listen, this was the ‘dull, melodramatic and sullen’ track. But it personifies Rihanna’s situation over the past few months perfectly. A forbidden love, one she wants to leave but knows she can’t. One of the best tracks of the year.
Best Line: As my life flashes before my eyes/ I wonder will I ever see another sunrise?
Rating: 5/5
FIRE BOMB
Incredible. Something so touching it is the only track, despite its rocky backtracks, that could genuinely make you cry. It’s not dark, but it feels like running against the wind, a cry for help.
Best Line: The lovers need to clear the road.
Rating: 5/5
RUDE BOY
The most commercial song on the album. Bound to do well in both the charts and on the club scene. You’ll be singing it for days guaranteed. Fantastic!
Best Line: Come here rude boy boy can you get it up?
Rating: 5/5
PHOTOGRAPHS (FEATURING WILL.I.AM)
Ever so slightly synthesized vocals and a nice drum beat make out to be a decent pop song. The verses are undoubtedly better than the chorus, and when Will.I.Am gets his verse, it becomes more upbeat and something you can dance to.
Best Line: Here’s a little story I got to tell/About a boy I knew so well..
Rating: 4/5
G4L
Standing for ‘Gangster for Life’, this song is sure to be the most controversial. Violent, stand-up and in your face. Glamourises gang violence by putting Rihanna as the face. Needless to say, after this album, I’m sure Rihanna would be an awesome gangster.
Best Line: I lick the gun when I’m done/ Cause I know revenge is so sweet.
Rating: 4/5
TE AMO
A song on the album that seems to be from a male perspective, or from the point of someone giving another girl advice about her relationship. Another track that could be a single, and should be. Sounds similar to something by Ne-Yo.
Best Line: She says ‘Te Amo’, then she puts her hand around me waist.
Rating: 4.5/5
COLD CASE LOVE
The ‘Chris Brown’ song we all expected. Its lyrics are stark and emotional. Its obvious the incident has scarred her. It wouldn’t work as a single, but Rihanna’s vocals are at their best here. This song shows her potential brilliantly.
Best Line: I don’t need proof/I’m torn apart and you know.
Rating: 4/5
THE LAST SONG
Feels like something by Coldplay, but to be perfectly honest, could have been missed out. A disappointing end to a great album
Best Line: What if you wasted love and our love in time disappeared?
Rating: 3/5
VERDICT
Rihanna’s return to music has definitely exceeded expectations. She had nothing to prove, Good Girl Gone Bad was a great pop album, but Rated R is undoubtedly the best, and is going to be very hard to topple.
4.25/5
A REVIEW
MAD HOUSE (INTRODUCTION)
"A terrifying warning for what’s to come. Eye-opening like the introduction to the Twilight Zone TV Series. Rihanna's vocals in this are simple, grungy and effective."
Best Line: To those of you who think that they can take it/ we say: Welcome, to the Mad House.
Rating: 4/5
WAIT YOUR TURN
“Almost a play on how anticipated this album was. Announced suddenly barely a month until release, this was the first taster we had, it’s repeated “the wait is ova, the wait is ova!” really had the die hard fans begging for more. Standalone, it would work brilliantly as a single. It’s Memorable, punchy and independent.”
Best Line: It’s just the way the game is played, its best that you just wait your turn.
Rating: 4.5/5
HARD (FEATURING JEEZY)
“Undoubtedly one of the bests on the album. The comeback song; Rihanna showing that no matter how much abuse she’s got, she coming back ready to fight.”
Best Line: Amma do whatever, no pain is forever. YUP. You noticed.
Rating: 5/5
STUPID IN LOVE
“Possibly the last morsal on this album of what Rihanna used to be. It feels brilliantly like ‘Unfaithful’ or ‘Take a Bow’. But it’s a love song, and there’s nothing wrong with it. One of the weaker tracks, but still half decent.”
Best Line: Let me tell you something/ Never have I been a size 10 in my whole life
Rating: 3/5
ROCKSTAR 101 (FEATURING SLASH)
“Another one of these punchy, new look, ‘take no shit’ songs from the album. Her blatant ‘I know what I am’ take on this is brilliant. I can’t hear any Slash in it, but it’s naughty, catchy, ‘hands in the air’ rock music nevertheless.
Best Line: Six inch walker / Big sh** talker /I never play the victim /I’d rather be a stalker.
Rating: 4.5/5
RUSSIAN ROULETTE
On first listen, this was the ‘dull, melodramatic and sullen’ track. But it personifies Rihanna’s situation over the past few months perfectly. A forbidden love, one she wants to leave but knows she can’t. One of the best tracks of the year.
Best Line: As my life flashes before my eyes/ I wonder will I ever see another sunrise?
Rating: 5/5
FIRE BOMB
Incredible. Something so touching it is the only track, despite its rocky backtracks, that could genuinely make you cry. It’s not dark, but it feels like running against the wind, a cry for help.
Best Line: The lovers need to clear the road.
Rating: 5/5
RUDE BOY
The most commercial song on the album. Bound to do well in both the charts and on the club scene. You’ll be singing it for days guaranteed. Fantastic!
Best Line: Come here rude boy boy can you get it up?
Rating: 5/5
PHOTOGRAPHS (FEATURING WILL.I.AM)
Ever so slightly synthesized vocals and a nice drum beat make out to be a decent pop song. The verses are undoubtedly better than the chorus, and when Will.I.Am gets his verse, it becomes more upbeat and something you can dance to.
Best Line: Here’s a little story I got to tell/About a boy I knew so well..
Rating: 4/5
G4L
Standing for ‘Gangster for Life’, this song is sure to be the most controversial. Violent, stand-up and in your face. Glamourises gang violence by putting Rihanna as the face. Needless to say, after this album, I’m sure Rihanna would be an awesome gangster.
Best Line: I lick the gun when I’m done/ Cause I know revenge is so sweet.
Rating: 4/5
TE AMO
A song on the album that seems to be from a male perspective, or from the point of someone giving another girl advice about her relationship. Another track that could be a single, and should be. Sounds similar to something by Ne-Yo.
Best Line: She says ‘Te Amo’, then she puts her hand around me waist.
Rating: 4.5/5
COLD CASE LOVE
The ‘Chris Brown’ song we all expected. Its lyrics are stark and emotional. Its obvious the incident has scarred her. It wouldn’t work as a single, but Rihanna’s vocals are at their best here. This song shows her potential brilliantly.
Best Line: I don’t need proof/I’m torn apart and you know.
Rating: 4/5
THE LAST SONG
Feels like something by Coldplay, but to be perfectly honest, could have been missed out. A disappointing end to a great album
Best Line: What if you wasted love and our love in time disappeared?
Rating: 3/5
VERDICT
Rihanna’s return to music has definitely exceeded expectations. She had nothing to prove, Good Girl Gone Bad was a great pop album, but Rated R is undoubtedly the best, and is going to be very hard to topple.
4.25/5
