Her seventh album in as many years is her worst because it recycles the same themes she’s been signing about since her notorious incident involving on-again-off-again BF Chris Brown, only they’re done in a lazier, less interesting way. Cliche EDM and dubstep riffs struggle for breathing room against limp-dick ballads, sterile dance numbers and routine radio jingles. But aside from the lackluster music, it’s her tolerance of the man who put her in the hospital which is most appalling. “What’s love without tragedy?” she sings in an obvious nod to the viscous attack she endured at the hands of Brown. Things become even more stupefying on “Nobody’s Business” where the man in question makes a cameo and apes Michael Jackson’s “The Way You Make Me Feel.” “Ain’t nobody’s business but mine and my baby,” he grunts. Sorry buddy. Turns out your felony conviction is part of this thing called the “public record.” As is this terrible piece of hackwork Rihanna’s PR people call an album. GRADE: D+
Key Tracks: N/A
Kesha – Warrior (Kemosabe/RCA)
Believe it or not, I’m fine with an entire album of binge drinking, debauchery and one night stands (Exile On Main St. much?). She’s 25 years old and simply a reflection of the club saturated world in which multitudes of other 25 year olds dwell. But while I recognized her place and function in the giant pop machine, her excessive use of auto-tune and bratty brand of sorority rap left me turned off and irritated. This second full length album features the same content and stylistic faults of her 2010 debut, but is easier on the ears thanks to a shrinking reliance on pitch correction and a stronger use of melody. Those looking for another hard hitting club anthem in the same vein as “Tik Tok” or “We R Who We R” will be hard pressed to find anything quite as potent, but she shows an ability to venture out of her comfort zone on the fluffy “Wherever You Are,” where she thinks beyond the morning after, and contemplates keeping her new boy toy around. Good for her. She’s no longer LMFAO’s third wheel, but rather Katy Perry’s redneck cousin. Quite the improvement. GRADE: C
Key Track: “Wherever You Are” / “Wonderland”
Sound 'Round 