I’m a Rihanna fan, but even I am a little perplexed by the strong reviews for her latest album, Talk That Talk. I’ve seen several publications call it her best yet, which makes no sense to me.
Rihanna’s career peak came with the R&B/pop smash Good Girl Gone Bad, which I’ve likened to a modern-day Thriller, and its follow-up, Rated R, the dark, raw reaction to her encounter with domestic violence. Together, those albums cement Rihanna’s place in the upper echelon of modern pop stars.
She followed up Rated R just a year later with Loud, a looser, sexier record that was recently nominated for an Album of the Year Grammy. I found that album a let-down from the emotional intensity of Rated R, but it was probably a necessary step for her, psychologically — proof that she was no longer damaged.
Talk That Talk is Rihanna’s third album in as many years, and this time out she’s going for a sex-freak club vibe. With that purpose in mind, I’ll admit it’s a well-constructed record, but one I find little use for in my everyday life.
As dance music, Talk That Talk should be a smash, and that’s the reason behind the wild accolades. On the very rare occasions when I find myself somewhere dancing — dancing! — is taking place, I’d be thrilled to hear these songs. But in my car on the way to Publix, not so much.
The best tracks here are the most club-ready, including ‘Where Have You Been,’ the Jay-Z-assisted title track and today’s SOTD, ‘We Found Love.’
The techno build-up that happens twice in this song is so impossibly long, it’s a case study in delayed gratification. I like that choice. I also like the video, which is sort of an urban Blue Valentine in four minutes.
Now we’re standing side by side
As your shadow crosses mine
What it takes to come alive
It’s the way I’m feeling I just can’t deny
But I’ve gotta let it go
We found love in a hopeless place
We found love in a hopeless place
We found love in a hopeless place
We found love in a hopeless place
Shine a light through an open door
Love a life I will divide
Turn away ’cause I need you more
Feel the heartbeat in my mind
It’s the way I’m feeling I just can’t deny
But I’ve gotta let it go
We found love in a hopeless place
We found love in a hopeless place
We found love in a hopeless place
We found love in a hopeless place
Yellow diamonds in the light
Now we’re standing side by side
As your shadow crosses mine
We found love in a hopeless place
We found love in a hopeless place
We found love in a hopeless place
We found love in a hopeless place
Meet Me In Montauk 
Well, as you know, I’ve never been as enthused about Rihanna as you have been. This song has a certain addictive quality, but sort of in that way when you just can’t get a hook out of your mind even if that hook annoys the crap out of you. I’m sure some, particularly in the pop music industry, would argue there is no such thing as a bad hook since the whole point is to embed into your mind whether you want it there or not. I, however, would be far happier decoupling this repetitive chorus from my brain.
Rihanna is unbelievably hot.
Ihave nothing to say about her music as i have not listened to very much of it. What I love is tha Dana (who I am now renaming ‘old faithful’) will comment on almost anything. i find this to be an adorable quality.
Definitely agree on the hotness factor.
Dana is unfailing in his commitment to commenting on the blog. He has weathered country music, opera and pop without once passing up his chance to chime in. He is the blog MVP!
I am adorable, aren’t I?:)
Oh, and Rihanna is attractive, but Beyonce is hotter:)
No argument there!
Sorry I missed out on this high level exchange 😉
And my favorite “Rihanna” song is “Love the Way You Lie,” but I guess that’s actually an Eminem song, isn’t it?
It’s actually both an Eminem and a Rihanna song. Rihanna sang the chorus on Eminem’s version (which you included above) and then Eminem rapped a verse on Rihanna’s version.