Spyke
So here is the second installment in my Rihanna album review series. Up to this point I was very much making a deliberate attempt to switch the channel every time she came on TV; which is probably why it took me so long to actually get to hear SOS right through. It was around this time that I was making the most of TMF and its daily top 10 new videos and I remember it being a very exciting morning when I first saw the Unfaithful video!
The Singles
Quickly following up from her debut it was time to strike whilst the iron was hot (a mentality which hasn't ceased) and try and go one better than her UK and US debut which hit #2. SOS brings everything you could possibly want in terms of a great single; a stunning video, a familiar but not overused sample, infectious beat and generally a great Pop/R&B track. I'm sure Christina Milian was signing her own career death warrant when she turned down this gem. The track really crossed over well between Pop and R&B radio, ultimately climbing to the top of the Hot 100 in the US and spending two weeks being stuck behind Gnarls Barkley in the UK at #2.
At this point I thought Rihanna had peaked; not with Ne-Yo waiting in the wings to deliver his first of many beautiful ballads. The UK have always been quite partial to Unfaithful and I remember watching Rihanna barely needing to contribute a word as the crowd sang it back to her on the GGGB Tour. At this point her vocal performances on similar tracks was quite questionable, but after singing it with Matt Cardle on the finale of last year's X Factor she put rest to those qualms. For me the track became my signature tune after it was played during my half an hour take over on Radio 1 with JK and Joel. Whilst they tried to play numerical countdown with me we also discussed how my ex told me she was cheating on me: to this track. It was taken out of context as I just made reference to the track being played as we decided to break up. Unfortunately they just thought I was lying, which was embarrassing in front of my friends who were listening. Rihanna was once again denied her first UK chart topper by Gnarls Barkley's Crazy which was still selling strong.
Clearly the record company had just planned to have these two 'big' releases from the album as nothing else made much impact. The UK got We Ride for some unknown reason which went top 20; the US got the more sensible choice of Break It Off (Feat. Sean Paul) and gave Rihanna her 4th US top 10.
Highlights
After discovering the marvels of Unfaithful I decided to explore the rest of the album to see what else I could find. There are two notable tracks that made it as far as my mp3 player; The Final Goodbye and A Million Miles Away. I think the latter is a lovely subtle ballad that really helped Rihanna bridge the gap on her way over to Pop World domination. Kisses Don't Lie seemed to be a favourite of the artist herself as it remained on her tour set list for a bit longer than it should of in my opinion. Though this may be due to the fact that it was one of the two tracks on the CD that Robyn Fenty actually had song writing credits on. I just didn't get it and felt that it could well be part of her debut album filler.
Overall
In itself this is a nice little album, but it isn't shy on flaunting the filler. As album sales were continuing to flail it became apparent that you had to put more effort into the entire content, rather than just the singles, to get the sales desired. As the public had clearly warmed to Rihanna it was time to launch the monster and convert everyone! It you were to consider which tracks you'd feature on a (1CD) Rihanna Greatest Hits it amazes me how SOS would seem a staple inclusion (as one of the 10 US #1s) and yet it just seems SO weak respectively and seems a bit of a momentum killer. After Unfaithful managed to re-enter the top 40 at the end of last year it shows the longevity the track has had in the UK so would have to be included on our edition.
Rating
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆
6/10
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