Rihanna Album: “Music of the Sun”

You would imagine that she would be a one hit wonder. Her first single, "Pon De Replay" even samples the handclap that is notorious for leading to one hit wonders. (Must I remind you of Lumidee?) But actually, this CD has some pretty good material.

This album has some great songs like "Here I Go Again", "If It's Lovin' That You Want" and "Music of the Sun". Her voice is not the best, but she works with what she's got and produces wonderful harmonizing. There are one or two filler tracks, yes, like "Willing To Wait", but this CD has a lot more good material than bad, and is an enjoyable album.

First off I must say that Rihanna is a beutiful lady and is extremely talented. I'm going to do a song by song diagnosis. So to start off:

1) Pon de Replay-infetious dancehall song with a booming bass and a catchy hook so irresistible, no matter what mood your in it just makes you wanna get out of your seat and dance. With that said the lyrics aren't really all that complicated but it's just a fun song to dance to- 3.5/5

2) Here I go Again- this song is off the chains, the beat is so laidback and sounds likie something you'd find in an old Kingston record shop her vocals are on point and the lyrics match the song perfectly and the rap from J-Status fits the song perfectly. A single worth song that would do extremely well. 4.5/5

3) If It's Lovin that U Want- 2nd single that will blow up on radio for sure, personally the second single should've been "here I go again" but this still works well. Produced by the trackmasters it has a nice guitar and the layered vocals and the only problem with it is that it really has no bridge but she brings it home at the end by hitting some high notes and influencing a reggae track with some slick r&b vocals. 4/5

4) You Don't Love Me (No No No) f. Vybz Kartel- Cover of Dawn Penn's original version but Rihanna's is so much better it's a shame, she covers this song so well infusing her own itwist and adding her own trills and adlibs (which she does very well) Then with the addition of Kartel on the track makes it so much better, this song has sooo much personality and is just a excellent song to lay back to and rock to. 4.5/5

5) That La, La, La- a hip hop inspired track that proves that Rihanna is capable of more than just oozing smooth seductive vocals on reggae/dancehall tracks but can do it well over a hip hop beat and does it much better than her labelmate Teairra who can learn a few lessons from Rihanna on how to make a solid album. In any case this song would do well in the urban community and would be a great crossover single.3.5/5

6) The Last Time- OMG! this song is absolutely amazing the acoustic guitars on this track make it a beautiful r&b song and her vocals are on point and the slowing down of the beat before the chorus make it such an original song that many of her contemporaries would struggle to do successflly, but her original voice suits the beat and the adlibbing near the end draws the song to a grand finale that is grande indeed. Also the lyrics are very mature "still standing tall as I walk away" and shows her innocent but yet strong take on break ups rather than the man bashing we see from many other young females. 6/5

7) Willing to Wait- This is a nice r&b track something you would hear on a quiet storm, the lyrics are appropiate for the age as many young girls her age are pressured into sex, hopefully in this case life imitates the art of this song and she continues to wait until she's old enough as she still is a young girl. Also the vocals are very strong on this song and it proves Rihanna can carry a r&b song with class and style.3.5/5

8) Music of the Sun- IMO the best song I've heard in a while, I'm absolutely in love with this song. The lyrics aren't complicated or deep, but they fit the title perfectly and make for a great song to slow wind to in the midnight hour and the beat is awesome, reggae with a beautiful acoustic guitar and a riding bass that doesn't overpower the song in the least bit. Although I think this should've been the first song on the cd as a great opener, in any case, the note she hits at the end is held perfectly and yet again she trills and adlibs beautifully without ever overdoing it like some people *cough cough* Beyoncé (still love her though) 5.5/5

9) Let Me- another hip hop inspired track that is a highlight of the album, she claims this as a fun yet naughty song, but it's not naughty at all it's just fun and playful, and she rides the beat perfectly, and the little dancehall interlude makes perfect for a dance number, should there ever be a video to it. 5/5

10) Rush f. Kardinal- T.Dot stand up Kardi represents on this track to the fullest and she returns to straight dancehall on this track. The vocals seems strained at parts, but the beat makes up for it because it's so off the cahins and as always Kardinal brings that fiyah with a hot guest appearance and this track is calling to be a single and would do wonders for Rihanna as well as putting Kardinal on the map. 5/5

11) There's a thug in my Life- A r&b/hip hop track that a lot of ladies can relate to the lyrics as with the rest of the album is age appropiate as immature as it maybe it still has a mass appeal to a young audience and her vocals are strong, however I can mind to skip this track, but when I do listen to it, the beat stands out the most as it is very catchy as much as the hook is. 3.5/5

12) Now I Know- A lovely ballad that is so beautiful and touching, she adds such a degree of class and emotion over such a relaxing r&b track that is backed simply by a piano and a arrangement of strings. The songis not oversung and just the right amount of tirlls and adlibbing adds to the overall appeal of the song, this song caters to a more mature audience with much more mature lyrics and stunning vocals. 6/5

13) Pon de Replay (remix) f. Elephant Man- a energetic remix with the Energy guy Elephant Man, he adds a new dimension pleaing alongside Rihanna to tun up de music mister deejay. 5/5

Songs= 59 /65-----> 4.5/5

Vocals= 4/5

Vibe=5/5

Lyrics=3/5

Overall= 4/5

A strong debut from such a young artist is very seldom these days, this album is very listenable and will stay in my cd player in heavy rotation for years. Rihanna is able to fuse r&b vocals and songs, dancehall beats, reggae and hip hop all into one amazing album.

By the way, this album is a choreographer's dream.

Wow this CD is awesome. Far better than I expected. Rihanna has combined both R&B and Reggae and it sounds great. The only flaw I have for Music of the Sun is her Rihanna's voice isn't that powerful. She's only 17, she can practise. Keep it up Rihanna, and I can't wait to see what you do in the future!

When Miss Robyn "Rihanna" Fenty won Miss Combermere Pageant 2004, many people did not have a clue that she was destined for greatness. This album proves it. As her former guidance counsellor, I can truly say that I am so proud of her and I am enjoying this album. Rihanna is one of the few ladies doing dancehall in any way - and doing it well. The album is a MUST for any Bajan/ Barbadian. We DO support our own!

My favourite songs are: "The Last Time" and "There's a Thug in my Life" . "Music of the Sun" is exquisite and "Now I know" is absolutely lovely. Her voice is great, the beats are absolutely hypnotic and the lyrics are pretty good. My least favourite song is "Willing to Wait". However, the album is a true display of a teenager on her way to fantastic music career. My only disappointment is that there are too few ballads and she has a beautiful voice that needs to be showcased with very lush and rich ballads.

I don't think that we have seen the last of this young lady. She has not only done herself proud, but her high school (Combermere School), her family, her label and her country. I CAN HARDLY WAIT FOR HER NEXT ALBUM!

I wasnt expecting a great album from young Rihanna but this album is hot...It has a lot of up-tempo dance tracks as well as a few Caribbean-flavored tracks...She actually reminds me a lot of Ciara...But Rihanna has a GREAT voice, and her album is way more likable compared to "Goodies", not as many fillers!

1. Pon De Replay - The first single, a great club track....7/10

2. Here I Go Again - This track is a Caribbean style track its ok, but the pop based tracks are way better than these 5/10

3. If It's Lovin' That You Want - The 2nd single...I dont mind the track, but would have never picked it as a single 6/10

4. You Don't Love Me (No, No, No) - Another Caribbean track but this one is actually quite cool...a mid-tempo track 6/10

5. That La, La, La - One of the best tracks on the album, about a girl trying to steal your man but it aint gonna happen because what we have is sooooo strong 7/10

6. The Last Time - A nice ballad, she sounds like Ciara, but the song is nice......7/10

7. Willing To Wait - Another slow-paced song, old school RnB...a bit like Aaliyah sounding track 7/10

8. Music Of The Sun - The titled track, I dont know why it was chosen, its far from the best track on the album, it does show Rihanna's Caribbean side, maybe its close 2 her heart 6/10

9. Let Me - A pop based track, it rocks... The lyrics are smooth, its just a fun song 8/10

10. Rush - This is the best track on the entire album, I hope its a single soon.....Its a cool jam and the featured rapper makes the track sound like part 2 of Beyonce's "Baby Boy", Its a great song.....10/10

11. There's A Thug In My Life - Every girl has a time in their life were they date a thug and this is a song where Rihanna finds herself with one and like most young girls worry about is what people are gonna think.....Very tight track 9/10

12. Now I Know - This is the best ballad on the album. Rihanna shows her vocals here.....9/10

I luv this album it's nice to be able to hear some RnB from someone thats not American! Rihanna has a bright future ahead of her........Go and buy the album, or download "Rush" coz it will get you addicted to her music!