Rihanna — Music Of The Sun

The summer anthem "Pon De Replay" suggested that Barbados-born Rihanna could be a distaff version of Sean Paul. This promise is almost fulfilled by the first third of Music Of The Sun, which alternates between banging dancehall tracks and a more classic, rock-steady reggae sound. Unfortunately the record's momentum hits a brick wall at about the halfway point, with the cookie-cutter R&B of "The Last Time."

From there, Rihanna and her production team play it safe with drippy ballads and overwrought club tunes reminiscent of Beyonce at her worst. She teases us with her potential to be unique, but in the end Rihanna seems intent on blending into the urban music background.

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