Rihanna - 'Russian Roulette'
This song makes me nervous: very nervous. Not because I'm wondering whether Rihanna will actually 'pull the trigger', but because the last time I reviewed for the Chartblog, it was for Rihanna's 'Run This Town', and I foolishly predicted that it wouldn't top the chart, which, of course, it did, and of course the lovely Chartblog community rubbed my nose in it. .
It appears I fell asleep for a few years during the transformation from little harmless 'Pon Da Replay' Rihanna who barely made a chart dent, to probably the most popular r'n'b female solo artist of the decade (except Beyonce). I had truly underestimated Rihanna's super chart powers, and I refuse to make the same mistake again.
(, what apt dress wear for a prisoner.)
Ah, this is going to be difficult, because being honest, there is nothing particularly great or new going on here. The idea of using Russian Roulette as a metaphor for life's crucial relationship decisions, is surprisingly smart for a pop-star, but it's not exactly suited to a r'n'b ballad. I can't really see it being used as the soundtrack to the Russian roulette scene in The Deer hunter (It might make James Bond at best).
The song is not that far off her old collection, like 'Take a Bow' or 'Unfaithful'. It has the same big note repeatedly squeezed out and a catchy end chorus line that she's now becoming renowned for. As Rihanna ballads go, it's probably her best so far, the production has stepped up a gear and the choral backing really gives the crux of the track its oomph.* But, apart from the 'pull the trigger' line, where she decides to sound Barbadian again, the rest of the song is quite forgettable.
So, what do I do? Judging the song alone I'd say it will make top 10, top 5 possibly. But this is the new, scantily dressed, tabloid fronting, chart topping Rihanna, and not wanting to make the same mistake twice, I'm predicting it will go to number 1.
Well at least I can judge how many stars it gets.
Download: Out now
CD Released: November 23rd
Â鶹Éç Music page
(Grant Black)
*Could be spelt umph or umpf . Whatever your preference.
Comment number 1.
At 20th Nov 2009, pinkparadox wrote:I feel quite uncomfortable listening to this.
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Comment number 2.
At 20th Nov 2009, flatknees wrote:yea its not very good... on the nme website it was one of the 'tracks of the week'.. with the minimal dubstep kind of format for the verses.. but it is very forgettable
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Comment number 3.
At 20th Nov 2009, BrayFish wrote:Just by the way, this WON'T be #1.
Peter Kay's Animated All Star Band - The Official Â鶹Éç Children In Need Medley is released on the very same week, and so is Susan Boyle's Wild Horses.
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Comment number 4.
At 21st Nov 2009, BloggingLiam wrote:Im predicting it wont hit number 1, for the record. Top 5. Anyway..
I actually love it, especially put into context of release. I thought she'd come back with a RnB dance smash (thinking please don't stop the music but slightly different).. maybe something featuring Jay Z or Kayne West or some other random American artist to give the track "credibility" .. instead we have this odd half ballard thing. Its quirky but yet has her signature.
Im so surprised that I like it. I was ready to hate the next Rhianna release. Im not a massive fan. Some good RnB dance stuff, average ballards .. generally a bit rubbish .. all things I'd have said about her previous work. Im fully expecting the next song off the album to be rubbish.
However I am enjoying this.
Her best ballard? Not sure. Didn't rate the others, so perhaps. Im not sure Id class this as a ballard, in terms of 'Take a Bow' or 'Unfaithful' anyway. It's different, has an edge to it that the others didnt, in my opinion.
4 stars, will make my iPod for a while anyway. A classic? Perhaps not. A bit forgettable? Perhaps. Best thing she's done (second to 'Please don't stop the music')? Yes.
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Comment number 5.
At 21st Nov 2009, harrythedog10 wrote:Disappointed by this, it seems to be designed to make you feel uncomfortable because overwise it would be completely forgetable.
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Comment number 6.
At 13th Dec 2009, spirit wrote:Grant , I always enjoy reading your reviews , although Frankmusik didn't enjoy your Confusion Girl one. lol
Anyway you should be banned from doing anymore Rihanna chart predictions ! lol
First you said Run this Town was too gritty to get to number 1 , and then it did ..
Then you say Russian Roulette would go to number 1 , and it stalled at number 2. *wry smile *
Joking aside , like your reviewing style , and Run this town was one of my fave Chartblog reviews of 2009 , only next time , try to avoid predicting chart positions for the Barbados Babe... lol
Maybe third time lucky ?
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Comment number 7.
At 16th Dec 2009, spirit wrote:The video certainly looks interesting .
Rihanna's next single out in January will be Hard !
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Comment number 8.
At 8th Jan 2010, spirit wrote:*Correction*
A change of heart from Mercury Records..
Rihanna's next single out on Feb 8th will be Rude Boy .
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Comment number 9.
At 9th Jan 2010, harrythedog10 wrote:I don't think anyone really knows what the next single will be, take this statement from Wikipedia about the next international single.
'It is unsure what the second international single will be, as more than one song has been listed to serve this position. It was first stated that "Wait Your Turn" would be the second international single, for a release date of February 8, 2010, however it was later replaced by "Rude Boy". However, "Rude Boy" has since been removed from the UK forthcoming single list, and the music video for "Hard" has been receiving play in the United Kingdom. As of now, the site lists "Wait Your Turn" as the next single, but a release date is not given. The second single has yet to be announced.'
Confusing!
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Comment number 10.
At 9th Jan 2010, thranjax wrote:My breath is baited. (yawns).
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Comment number 11.
At 9th Jan 2010, Daniel wrote:Has Wait Your Turn not already been released? It's been around for ages. Who knows!
I would take it that Hard is the next single since that's what's on TV. I don't care much for Rude Boy.
Photographs Feat Will.I.Am would be an amazing single, as would Cold Case Love but, at 6 minutes long it would certainly need a radio edit!
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