Spotify Listen Link: Rihanna – Talk That Talk
2013 Grammys:
Ah Rihanna. We're back for more of our love-hate relationship. I find some of her songs so awesome and downright intoxicating, and others I just can't stand. Also, there was that whole Chris Brown thing which makes me question her mind a little… but she's a damn talented lady.
2013 Grammys:
- Nominations:
- Best Pop Solo Performance, "Where Have You Been"
- Best Rap/Sung Collaboration, "Talk That Talk" (Feat. Jay-Z
- WIN: Best Short Form Music Video, "We Found Love" (feat. Calvin Harris)
Ah Rihanna. We're back for more of our love-hate relationship. I find some of her songs so awesome and downright intoxicating, and others I just can't stand. Also, there was that whole Chris Brown thing which makes me question her mind a little… but she's a damn talented lady.
| "You Da One" kicks things off. Seems happy enough. I mean, he obviously, uh, pleases her the right way. But even musically it sounds like a happier track, complete with some island accented melodies. Not a bad way to start things off really. | |
| | All right, confession time. "Where Have You Been" is one of my favorite club songs in recent memory. The beat is just incredible and she's got some great notes held out that are perfect when you're letting loose on the floor. Not that I let loose very often. But Rihanna is one of the recent women to be famous for her ability to basically control the playlists of clubs, and this is no exception. It doesn't even totally suck to listen to outside of the club. |
| "We Found Love" (feat. Calvin Harris) is the other one that I didn't entirely hate as it grew on me. She may have "Glee" to thank for that. Regardless, it is a really uplifting song in the love sector of life, and another great dance number. The video you'll see below is the Grammy WINNING video, by the way. Kind of twisted when you actually see it. Pretty sure I adored the video 100x more before I watched this. | |
The title track of this one, "Talk That Talk" (feat. Jay Z) is one I really really want to like, mostly because Jay Z is the man. But it's raunchy, and I just feel like this whole damn album is going to be themed with the like. I just don't get the point. Are you that either sexually frustrated or sex-crazed that you have to write an entire album on it? I somehow can't get it through my head that a concept album on the subject is happening, but maybe I'm just nuts.
"Cockiness (Love It)" just carries it on. I mean, one of the opening lines is her saying she wants him to be her sex slave. That sentiment aside, I just don't like it musically either. The vocals sound like they're completely played off a synth, and the beat is just mind-numbing in the worst way.
Wait, another song started? Because I have some trouble differentiating "Birthday Cake" from anything else. It's a short interlude song of sorts, and uh, very straight forward. Moving on.
"We All Want Love" starts off innocently enough. It has a sound like some of the best popular non-dance music today (in other words, it sounds like Fun.). She's actually singing and doing it well and seems to have feeling behind it. Okay, I think I can support this one Riri. The guitar's light and supportive instead of trying to create noise to dance to. And there's no video to ruin my perception of what seems to be a generally good song!
At least the sentiment's kept up and understandable as we move in to "Drunk On Love." It's a little more hardcore than the simple statement of want, and the beat gets a little more heavy and steady, but that's not a bad thing. As far as I can tell, she's finally broken the sex-themed streak for something deeper. She also is being honest in a completely different way at this point.
"Roc Me Out" might have me eating my words. Though, this one sounds more focused on dancing than sex. At least there's some subtlety to it instead of flat out demands. And there's a chorus that could be super catchy if it hits the mainstream clubs. All right, acceptable, sort of, morally (at least be comparison). It's something that's a little more fun to let got o when you're out, though I'm not sure if I necessarily care if the DJ spins it.
I always liked Rihanna's music because it didn't some like everyone else. But "Watch n' Learn" does sound just like everyone else. i almost figured a commercial for something else had some on or I'd hit some other artist by accident. At this point, it's just kind of dull and I'm waiting for the end. I guess it's sort of a lesson, and there's a back and forth or sort. Eh, what am I even talking about? Just trying to fill up blog space right now.
"Farewell" is our final song - surprise, surprise. Actually this does seem to have just a little more heart and build up of intensity and meaning. She's understanding of the impending end of the relationship and knows it's better that way. There could be, in theory, a lot of uses for this song, from relationships to graduations. Hm. Okay, well, never would have heard this if it were not for the album listen, so yay for blogs revealing hidden treasures.
Added to My Playlist:
Well, that was interesting. I didn't expect the album to wind up being remotely all right given where it started. She just seemed to be so completely crazed with sexual acts in the opening music that I couldn't handle it. I just don't see why am entire album would ever have to be based on that as a subject. There's depth to that subject, even, that she never touched on until pretty far in. But there are some moments that, when she gets it right, she hits a bull's eye.
"Cockiness (Love It)" just carries it on. I mean, one of the opening lines is her saying she wants him to be her sex slave. That sentiment aside, I just don't like it musically either. The vocals sound like they're completely played off a synth, and the beat is just mind-numbing in the worst way.
Wait, another song started? Because I have some trouble differentiating "Birthday Cake" from anything else. It's a short interlude song of sorts, and uh, very straight forward. Moving on.
"We All Want Love" starts off innocently enough. It has a sound like some of the best popular non-dance music today (in other words, it sounds like Fun.). She's actually singing and doing it well and seems to have feeling behind it. Okay, I think I can support this one Riri. The guitar's light and supportive instead of trying to create noise to dance to. And there's no video to ruin my perception of what seems to be a generally good song!
At least the sentiment's kept up and understandable as we move in to "Drunk On Love." It's a little more hardcore than the simple statement of want, and the beat gets a little more heavy and steady, but that's not a bad thing. As far as I can tell, she's finally broken the sex-themed streak for something deeper. She also is being honest in a completely different way at this point.
"Roc Me Out" might have me eating my words. Though, this one sounds more focused on dancing than sex. At least there's some subtlety to it instead of flat out demands. And there's a chorus that could be super catchy if it hits the mainstream clubs. All right, acceptable, sort of, morally (at least be comparison). It's something that's a little more fun to let got o when you're out, though I'm not sure if I necessarily care if the DJ spins it.
I always liked Rihanna's music because it didn't some like everyone else. But "Watch n' Learn" does sound just like everyone else. i almost figured a commercial for something else had some on or I'd hit some other artist by accident. At this point, it's just kind of dull and I'm waiting for the end. I guess it's sort of a lesson, and there's a back and forth or sort. Eh, what am I even talking about? Just trying to fill up blog space right now.
"Farewell" is our final song - surprise, surprise. Actually this does seem to have just a little more heart and build up of intensity and meaning. She's understanding of the impending end of the relationship and knows it's better that way. There could be, in theory, a lot of uses for this song, from relationships to graduations. Hm. Okay, well, never would have heard this if it were not for the album listen, so yay for blogs revealing hidden treasures.
Added to My Playlist:
- "Where Have You Been"
- "We Found Love"
- "We All Want Love"
- "Drunk On Love"
- "Farewell"
Well, that was interesting. I didn't expect the album to wind up being remotely all right given where it started. She just seemed to be so completely crazed with sexual acts in the opening music that I couldn't handle it. I just don't see why am entire album would ever have to be based on that as a subject. There's depth to that subject, even, that she never touched on until pretty far in. But there are some moments that, when she gets it right, she hits a bull's eye.
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