Record Review: Rihanna

Hue suggested Rihanna's A Girl Like Me as the next album for me to review. I thought it was a great idea. Since I got most of my information about new music from KEXP, Pitchfork and Hype Machine, this top 40 artist was overlooked by me.

Rihanna came from Barbados. On that island, she could have risen to become the local favorite, but a vacationing record producer (some guy that's worked with 'NSync, Christina Augilera etc...) catapulted her stardom much further. Between pina colada's he discovered her music, dug her voice and recorded some demos with her. Those demos were heard by Def Jam president Jay-Z, who made her a (recording) offer she couldn't refuse.

A Girl Like Me is her second album. Thinking I was in for some standard R&B, I'm pleasantly surprised to find a large Caribbean influence, especially in the musical arrangements. Yes, it's more club-friendly, but I dig the island vibe. Her singing style is what I expect from urban pop, but to her credit, she doesn't over-sing. None of that eye-rolling vocal gymnastics is on display here. The lyrics are sometimes fun, often referencing classic pop songs. After one listen, I recall hearing lines from "Should I Stay or Should I Go" "Tiny Dancer" and "Crazy Little Thing Called Love." Overall, theses songs are reggae-lite, perfect for cruising slowly in a convertible on a summer evening (not that I have a convertible nor is Dover a fun town to cruise in.)

Unfortunately, I've only described a third of the album. Most of the rest is ballads: power ballads, piano ballads, acoustic ballads, R&B ballads... ballads of all kinds that make me groan or fall asleep. These songs are unnecessary. They're not anything we haven't heard before and simply serve as filler. I should also mention the album's lead single "S.O.S.", a complete misappropriation of a "Tainted Love" sample. It's clearly designed to be a club hit. On first listen it sounds awkward, and on later listens it becomes annoying. Songs like these, make A Girl Like Me an uneven listen. I've graded each song individually and the GPA equates to a disappointing C-.

That doesn't mean stay away from it. If you know someone who has the album, burn or rip the reggae songs and ignore the rest. Let me get you started with one of the bonus tracks "Could Be The One."

I guess I'm staring a tradition of recommending better music for my mediocre or bad reviews. Lily Allen is also a pop artist with Caribbean influences, and she understands that the key ingredient to good pop is fun. Here's her lead single "Smile."

A Special Visit

I hope everyone caught the announcement over on my sister's blog. I happened to have off today, so Megan and I took a trip up to Paoli Hospital. Mary was doing great. Unfortunately Paige could not go, but she got some quality time with her Meme. She did get a chance to see pictures of her new cousin on the computer. Born in the same year four months apart... let's hope they become buddies!



To my own surprise, I was extrememly excited to hold the new baby. I immediately suggested to Megan that we should have another one. Luckily, I came to my senses an hour later. Our goal is to have only one child in diapers at a time, so Paige's little sibling will have to wait.

Record Review: She's Your Sister

I've been toying with the idea of doing this: listening to a record about which I've heard no hype or anything else, and reviewing it. Last night, Hue provided a perfect opportunity. The band is She's Your Sister and the record is a recent EP called We're From Chicago. The band is indeed from Chicago, but I believe they currently reside in L.A. They're making a name for themselves among the unsigned band circuit. From their website, they seem like nice people.

They're exactly what I expected them to sound like: a bar band, that's probably great live and a favorite among locals. However, they suffer from the same limitations as most local bands. On this EP, I'm hearing the same chord progressions and loud/quiet dynamics we've been hearing since the early nineties. The singer doesn't do much to distinguish himself either. His voice is clean and earnest, and well, that's about it. They play tightly and energetically, and I admit some songs are catchy, which makes them a great band to see live while holding a pint glass and hanging with friends. Unfortunately, the recorded medium reveals the weaknesses in song-writing and innovation. There are some positives. The guitarist is occasionally more melodic than most, and sometimes the drummer will do an interesting fill or stop that will inspire me to bust out the devil horns. I'll have to grade them with a C-.

I don't want to end this review sounding like a hater, especially for such a small band, so please go listen to their music yourself. They are some decent similar-sounding bands who are understandably bigger. The Arctic Monkeys pull off a lot of the same old-fashioned rock tricks, but they do so with much more attitude and personality. Check out "Fake Tales Of San Francisco." Also Bloc Party attempt the same sort of melodic guitar lines and earnest singing with much more success. I've said it before, their rhythm section is a force to behold. Let me take you back to album opener "Like Eating Grass."

So, how did I do? What's your review of my review? Anyone have other record suggestions?

Megan Went Back To Work Today

Today was my first full day alone with Paige. I did spend many hours alone with my daughter in the past, but for some reason I was still nervous. Maybe it was the schedule. For example, when was feeding time or when was nap time? I told my friends at work that I was going to try real hard and not call Megan. I'd call the E.R. instead.

It all went quite smoothly. I know my daughter well enough to read her signals. Megan made it easy for me too. She prepared five bottles of breast milk (just in case Paige got real hungry) and set out two spare outfits (in case of ummm... accidents.) Paige and I got along great today. I got to play guiter for her. I also managed to get in some picture taking and some blogging. A few service people came buy to repair our invisible fence and our garage door, and I made an appointment with the cable company too. I snuck in some online chess with Hue, and I had dinner prepared when Megan came home. It was one of the most productive days I've had. I'm liking this house-husband thing. Megan called me a "Manny."

The great thing is I had my digital music collection on shuffle today. I think I got about five continuous hours of music listening. I was going to wait until the album came out next week to write about this song, but I am way too excited about it. It's called "W.A.Y.U.H." by the Rapture. ("Whoo! Alright Yeah...Uh Huh" in case your asking.) It's all over the blogosphere and I'm declaring it the greatest dance song of the year. I know there are four months to this year left, but you heard me. If you're not chanting along with the "People don't dance no more" bit at the end... well, there's no hope for you.