Rating:
Genre:
R&B
Release Date: 06/26/2007
When you've released a pair of albums containing a few monster singles and a considerable amount of unsteady, unassured material, why mess around the third time out? From beginning to end,
Good Girl Gone Bad is as
pop as
pop gets in 2007, each one of its 12 songs a potential hit in some territory. Unlike
Music of the Sun or
A Girl Like Me, neither Caribbean flavorings nor
ballad ODs are part of the script, and there isn't an attempt to make something as theatrical as
"Unfaithful." There is, however, another '80s hit involved: just as
"SOS" appropriated
Soft Cell's version of
"Tainted Love," "Shut Up and Drive" turns
New Order's
"Blue Monday" into a sleek, forthcoming proposition, one that is as undeniable and rocking as
Sugababes' 2002 U.K. smash
"Freak Like Me" (a cover of
Adina Howard's 1995 hit that swiped from another '80s single,
Gary Numan's
"Are Friends Electric?").
"Shut Up and Drive" is part of an all-upbeat opening sequence that carries through five songs.
Rihanna knows exactly what she wants and is in total control at all times, even when she's throwing things and proclaiming "I'm a fight a man" amid marching percussion and synthesizers set on "scare" during
"Breakin' Dishes." The album's lead song and lead single,
"Umbrella," is her best to date, delivering mammoth if spacious drums, a towering backdrop during the chorus, and vocals that are somehow totally convincing without sounding all that impassioned -- an ideal spot between trying too hard and boredom, like she might've been on her 20th take, which only adds to the song's charm. The album's second half is relatively varied and a little heavier on acoustic guitar use, but it's not lacking additional standouts. Three consecutive
Timbaland productions, including one suited for a black college marching band and another that effectively pulls the romantically codependent heartstrings, enhance the album rather than make it more scattered.
~Andy Kellman, All Music Guide
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kyle nelson roberts
from brunswick, me
i have a feeling...
i honestly feel that this is the album of rihanna's career. this album is going to bring her the success, and it has been released on the perfect date, because summer is approaching, and we all love feel good summer music, and gritty club mixes. with this album, that is exactly what you get. 12 tracks, mostly club anthems, a few ballads, all of them...wonderful. umbrella is of course gonna be her huge hit, its so gritty and catchy, but her next single "shut up and drive" will add sexiness and creativity to her name,the song is so sexed up, and makes you sweat. "breakin dishes" is a more angry side to the princess, as she shouts to the death what shes gonna do.. to repay her allegedly unfaithful lover, makes you love her but fear her as well. all of these tracks are well made, but those three are my favorites. this is one of those rare albums people will buy, and not regret buying it, because its so good,matured and convincing. i guarantee you this will be one of the top sellers of this year, i say top 5. buy this album ,you wont be sorry.