23. rihanna - unapologetic

after a long long time away, so long that i totally don't recognise the new blogger format, i've decided to post this raw, not even averagely written review. it's really the first draft, which i felt too lazy to do major edit.

It's only her 8th year in the music industry and she has 7 studio albums out. But the most surprising thing is that there is no greatest hits album. How could a corporate so bent on manufacturing pop stars not have milked the public with a dozen compilation albums? Apart from that, let me tell of an interesting fact: In 2005, Def Jam signed Rihanna for a 7 album deal (What the hell were they thinking?). So you know what that means - A minute possiblity that she'll not be releasing an album again at the same time next year! Without further ado, let's commence on the last album of her contract.

1. Phresh Out The Runway
This isn't particularly phresh, very typical. Not a very good attempt at being exotic if that was what she was trying to do.
3.5/5

2. Diamonds
This song is very bland for a Rihanna lead single. It's not bad, but not the best either, and I'm sure her vast producers could come up with something insanely catchier than this.
4/5

3. Numb
She's going numb, I'm going bored. It's not all that bad, but this indian influenced song doesn't add life to the album, though I could imagine Rihanna as a snake in a basket being charmed by the song. Eminem sounds particularly lame rapping on this track.
3.5/5

4. Power It Up
Is there a reason why she's making 'Unapologetic' such a dull event? Up till now, she seems quite intent on making a more hip hop sequel to 'Rated R'. But the good thing is, the songs come and go quite quickly, and I ain't even thinking: "so fast?"
3/5

5. Loveeeeeee Song
By now, I'm trying to figure out what trauma has caused her to make such a dull album. Listening to this song, I think I've found the answer. And the answer is Drake. Future singing on this song totally has the Drake feel to it. Her collaboration with Drake must have had something to do with this. The discography totally agrees with me, it's the most recent single she's been featured on.
3.5/5

6. Jump
Things are starting to pick up. This song's actually pretty cool for Rihanna standards. The dubstep is instilling slight interest in me for the album, even though I know she totally can't resist making 'You Da One' And 'What's My Name' soundalikes.
4/5

7. Right Now
Like finally, the David Guetta tune is here to stir up some life. I've never been particularly fond of David Guetta after his first album, but the uninteresting songs on the album makes his contribution almost seem valuable. I'm certain as hell she'll release this as a single, because like the typical post-Rated R Rihanna template says, no singles release for each album is complete without a eurodance track and a 'What's My Name'.
4.5/5

8. What Now
Unlike what I would say about most Rihanna songs, this is actually quite up-there artistically. She presents her vulnerability unlike what she has ever done on Rated R.
5/5

9. Stay
In this song, she's opting for a nice piano ballad, which sounds very comforting. The second chorus features a Mikky Ekko, which quite shocked me when I heard it, because I thought Mikky Ekko was a she. Both of them blend together nicely on what's probably one of the best duet she has ever done.
5/5

10. Nobody's Business
More than half way through the album, my perception of the album has taken a twist. The middle portion of the album is sounding good, and this song is no exception. Not shying away from Chris Brown, the product is a groovy tune, with a little Michael Jackson feel to it.
4.5/5

11. Love Without Tragedy/Mother Mary
I'm not very sure if this is 2 separate songs, or intentionally made to sound like 2 separate songs, but it just made me think about the choice of 'Diamonds' as the lead single, when there's plenty of better choices to choose from. This song sounds pure, yet still has some drive from Rihanna's 'revvy' voice. How long hasn't Rihanna made such a stripped album?
4.5/5

12. Get It Over With
By now, the dreamy lost in love theme is starting to get a little overused, to the extent that the song title quite aptly describes how I feel it should be now. It's not bad though, just getting draggy because of the similar feel of the previous songs.
4/5

13. No Love Allowed
Nothing interesting about this song, it's typical Rihanna again after previously being possessed by the ghost of the Rated R. The tune makes the song sounds stupid, and Rihanna trying to sing it seriously makes it worse.
3/5

14. Lost In Paradise
I'm not sure why, but I'm feeling a Justin Bieber's 'As Long As You Love Me' vibe when I hear this song, especially when the chorus kicks in.
3.5/5

Overall, in this album, she's either being possessed or tipsy in the midst of recording to have come up with this incoherent piece of work that I can't say is bad because the middle was actually pretty good. Without any doubt, it will be commercially successful enough to let Rihanna jack up her worth when discussing her next music contract, hopefully not one of spam and overkill.

Rihanna - Unapologetic:
56/14 = 4.00

Labels: rihanna, unapologetic

posted by datf @ 06:49 0 Comments

22. madonna - mdna

MDNA Review




After several days of listening to MDNA, and only MDNA, I've finally gotten off fawning over it and giving a more concrete review of this album. In essence, the queen proves that she will be there through the endless years to show us how pop should really be done.


1) Girl Gone Wild
This is easily the most generic song on the album, but fret not, for this song is absolutely unrepresentative of this album. The starting of this song, where she confesses to god, signals that bitchdonna is back to kick some asses. In the music video, she truly is a girl gone wild, working the chains, and the guys of course, much like she did back in the early 90s. Certain little monsters who are either severely lacking in pop culture knowledge or are just pure stubborn claim that this video is a rip off of Mother Monster's Alejandro. When you actually do some homework on Youtube, or if you are an older monster, simply just by living through the 80s and early 90s, you should know that Alejandro is a rip off of multiple Madonna videos, including Express Yourself, Vogue, Justify My Love, Erotica and Human Nature. What Madonna "ripped off" Lady Gaga is what Lady Gaga ripped off Madonna. In other words, Madonna is referencing her earlier works. Now hide in your eggshell, squeeze back into your Mother Monster's slimy pussy and reflect upon your sins.
Rating: 4.5/5

2) Gang Bang
Probably the most eccentric song on the album, and possibly ranks as one of her best songs ever. The seemingly cowboy-like beats coupled with her vocals which gets fiercer by the verse, is refreshing and exhilirating, especially after the dubstep breakdown and the final chorus, where she seems to be having so much fun killing people. If I have to join her in hell, I would certainly do so.
Rating: 5/5

3) I'm Addicted
This song is sort of psychedelic, just as the title suggested. It's catchy, but certainly not generic. Thus, it's quite a surprise that Benny Benassi could produce this song, though I do think that The Demolition Crew probably is the mastermind. The defining point comes when Madonna solemnly declares that she needs to dance, before the dubstep drops in and she sucks us into her addictive world, chanting "M-D-M-A, M-D-N-A...". If the chant didn't get stuck in your mind, you probably have no soul.
Rating: 5/5

4) Turn Up The Radio
Yet another "Hello" soundalike. But when sang by Madonna, it instantly becomes much more energetic than any of his previous works. Also, do not think Madonna simply took the song and sang it. She's definetely added her touch to the lyrics, as can be seen from certainly cheesy rhymes, such as "moth to a flame" and "playing this game".
Rating: 5/5

5) Give Me All Your Luvin'
The weakest song of the entire standard edition. In this song, Madonna demands all our luvin'. If this song (or the Superbowl performance) doesn't convince you, this album should do otherwise.
Rating: 4/5

6) Some Girls
Hard to think this would be an Orbit produced song. There's nothing really special this song, other than consisting of so much vocal distortion.
Rating: 4.5/5

7) Superstar
This song is sweet and catchy. If you don't think much of this song on the first try, you should repeat this song several times, for it's a grower. The scene that comes to my mind is Madonna strutting down a street before settling down on a bench in the park swaying and singing "ooh la la, you're my superstar" while twirling her hair. I would describe this as her new True Blue (the song). It really could put a smile on your face. However, I really couldn't figure out which part her daughter, Lourdes, sang on the song.
Rating: 5/5

8) I Don't Give A
Quite a radical twist to the album, having a slight hip hop feel. Nicki Minaj easily fits into the song, as she steps back into her comfort zone and does what she does best. If there's any collaboration that Madonna has done best, it would be this. The lyrics, is of course another highlight of the song. Throughout the song she sings about how she doesn't a (fuck) about her life, while near the end, Nicki Minaj proclaims "that there's only one queen, and that's Madonna." How right. It's a heinous slap in the face of any pretenders to throne and whoever thought she was going to be a coy lamb about the clown show that's been going on for 3 years. The word "reductive" was a sign of what's to come.
Rating: 5/5

9) I'm A Sinner
This song is reminiscent of 'Beautiful Stranger'. It's not exactly as catchy as the previous songs, and I don't really have much thoughts on this song except for it being simply, quite nice. That's all, now let's get on with the album.
Rating: 4/5

10) Love Spent
Another amazing song. My second favourite from this album. It starts off with a banjo, before turning out to be a more serious song. My favourite part though, comes after the next banjo special, where the ambience changed all of a sudden, and she burst into another chorus, which seemed to have so much more emotions, as if her life depended on it. On a sidenote, the accoustic version of this song is worth listening too.
Rating: 5/5

11) Masterpiece
The Golden Globe winning song. The song which "doesn't stand a fucking chance" Fortunately, this track doesn't stick out like a sore thumb. Masterpiece was also the first sign that Madonna's "better" vocals are back. It acts as a great lead out to the next song too.
Rating: 5/5

12) Falling Free
Is she trying to recreate 'Mer Girl'? It's been so long since we've heard her sing with such bare melody. Just because it's one of the few times Madonna does this, it's worth listening.
Rating: 5/5

13) Beautiful Killer
Yet another song that reminds me of 'Beautiful Stranger'. I feel compelled to sing "I'm gonna wake up yes and no" (Die Another Day) against the first line though. It has that huge sense of familiarity on so many levels and is the best song on the deluxe part of the album, along with the next track.
Rating: 5/5

14) I Fucked Up
In this song, Madonna (surprisingly) admits she did make mistakes during her marriage with Guy Ritchie. It's a beautiful ballad, and like several other songs on the album, halfway through this song, the entire mood changed into something more light and cheerful, as she thought of the happily ever after she could have if she didn't fuck up. This is without doubt, the most personal song on the album, and only William Orbit can squeeze it out of her.
Rating: 5/5

15) B-Day Song
This song has an indie feel to it. It's simple and the vocals tend to be a little retro. M.I.A. easily blends into the song, as it should have been since it's so light and catchy. What would have been a stupid song turns out surprisingly delightful.
Rating: 4.5/5

16) Best Friend
In my opinion, Best Friend is the worst track on the album. This song sounds like it came from Hard Candy. Not to be mistaken though, it's still manageable as a bonus track.
Rating: 3.5/5

17) Give Me All Your Luvin' (Party Rock Remix)
Nothing much to comment on this. I'm never really interested in remixes anyway.
Rating: 3.5/5


In her 4 years of absence, many have been eyeing the throne, but with MDNA, Madonna shows she's not about to give up the throne. Begging for it wouldn't get you anywhere either. This album will definetely rank up there with one of her best. She is still capable of creating a new peaks in her career, and anyone who speaks of her old age as a hindrance in their review is jealous, sexist and ageist. If you missed out her last pop revolution (Confessions On A Dance Floor), then listen to this album now.


MDNA (Standard Edition): 57/12 = 4.75
MDNA (Deluxe Edition): 78.5/17 = 4.62

Labels: madonna, mdna

posted by datf @ 01:03 0 Comments

21. coldplay - mylo xyloto

finally back after a long long hiatus :)

Album Review 176: Coldplay – Mylo Xyloto


2. Hurts Like Heaven – 4/5
3. Paradise – 5/5
4. Charlie Brown – 4/5
5. Us Against The World – 3/5
7. Every Teardrop Is A Waterfall – 4/5
8. Major Minus – 3/5
9. U.F.O. – 3/5
10. Princess Of China – 5/5
11. Up In Flames – 4.5/5
13. Don’t Let It Break Your Heart – 3.5/5
14. Up With The Birds – 4/5

Coldplay – Mylo Xyloto:
43/11 = 3.91


probably trying too hard to reinvent themselves. but generally their new sound is still quite refreshing and positive for me.

Labels: coldplay, mylo xyloto

posted by datf @ 21:18 0 Comments

20. queens of the stone age - rated r

Album Review 175: Queens Of The Stone Age – Rated R


1. Feel Good Hit Of The Summer – 5/5
2. The Lost Art Of Keeping A Secret – 5/5
3. Leg Of Lamb – 5/5
4. Auto Pilot – 5/5
5. Better Living Through Chemistry – 5/5
6. Monsters In The Parasol – 5/5
7. Quick And To The Pointless – 4.5/5
8. In The Fade – 5/5
9. Tension Head – 4/5
10. Lightning Song – 5/5
11. I Think I Lost My Headache – 5/5

Queens Of The Stone Age – Rated R:
53.5/11 = 4.86


i actually never intended to put reviews of old albums on this blog, but it doesn't really matter now. anyway this album is just 11 tracks of pure happiness. the suave, paradisical nature of the songs makes this an extremely catchy album, which is lacking, or not a feature of most bands' albums. the ability to hear the genuinity of their fun makes this even more engaging. rated excellent!

Labels: queens of the stone age, rated r

posted by datf @ 09:29 0 Comments

19. lmfao - sorry for party rocking

Album Review 174: LMFAO – Sorry For Party Rocking


1. Rock The Beat II – 3.5/5
2. Sorry For Party Rocking – 3/5
3. Party Rock Anthem – 5/5
4. Sexy And I Know It – 4/5
5. Champagne Showers – 3.5/5
6. One Day – 3/5
7. Take It To The Hole – 3/5
8. Best Night – 4/5
9. All Night Long – 3.5/5
10. With You – 3.5/5

LMFAO – Sorry For Party Rocking:
36/10 = 3.60


this album is like a dance party from a distant planet, not really close to listeners, save for the all too familiar party rock anthem. it would be a much better listen if played at clubs. other than that, the tunes are really quite lifeless and emotionless, so are the lyrics where everything is just about party rocking. lmfao totally needs to work on a warmer dance album.

Labels: lmfao, sorry for party rocking

posted by datf @ 08:28 0 Comments