After the lackluster reviews for her 2009 album Rated R, Barbados bad girl Rihanna headed into the studio with hitmakers Tricky Stewart, Polow da Don and The Runners to craft the most consistent album of her career. Everyone knows the story of Rihanna and Chris Brown, so it's easy to excuse her for sacrificing hit songs for dark subject matter on Rated R. However, many wondered if she would be able to return to her 2007 form of making songs like "Pon de Replay" and "Umbrella".
And she has. Hell, some of these songs are better than anything she has done before. Songs such as "Cheers (Drink to That)" and "What's My Name?" featuring Canadian upstart Drake are intoxicatingly catchy. Only Rihanna has the ability to make the simple repetition of the words "Oh na na oh what's my name?" make every pre-teen sing along with adoration. She finally plays to the strengths that made her successful - an ear for pop and the ability to craft a memorable single. "Cheers" samples Avril Lavigne's "I'm With You" and uses it effectively, turning a song about young love into a alcoholic anthem. It's ambitious, daring, and works. On "Only Girl (In the World)", the first single from the album, Rihanna is able to reach back into her influences and make a song in the same vein that made Good Girl Gone Bad so successful. She is able to sound confident, down to earth, and extremely lustful all at once. It's a talent that can't be taught, and Rihanna uses her ability well.
Another standout is "Raining Men" which features up and comer Nicki Minaj, who delivers a rap that is one of the albums highlights. Easily one of the best songs on the album, due to the beat and the perfect mesh of styles Nicki and Rihanna bring to the table. Finally, the album ends on "Love the Way you Lie, Part 2". While the original was a smash single, this version does not live up to the hype. It's slowed down to feature more Rihanna singing, the beat is changed and Eminem's verse is effective yet underwhelming.
The last song sums up the album. While most songs are great, there are many forgettable moments. Rihanna is at her best when she plays to what a male listener wants to hear - a girl sing about lust, love and a need for passion. Rihanna knows how to make a hit, and she has done it consistently. Often she is unable to stay focused in this style and tries to expand. It's like Joaquin Phoenix trying to rap. It's not the worst thing you've ever heard, but it's disappointing to hear when you know there is something they're much better at. I want to close the review by highlighting one different success of the album. Rihanna constructs her best ballad of her short career on this album called "California King Bed". It's a moving number that makes Rihanna seem sadder than even her lowest moment on Rated R. If she can make ballads like this from now on with a good music of outstanding pop songs then Rihanna will become one of the biggest artists in showbiz. Loud is an album you should check out as it has many great songs, but drags in places and lacks consistency.
Final Score: 7.9/10 (Worth a listen)
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