Grade: B+
Beginning with her ode to sadomasochism, Rihanna’s “Loud” lives up to its name with its in-your-face lyrics and beats. On songs like “Cheers” and “Man Down,” Rihanna channels her inner island native. One song, “Fading,” brings closure to the “Rated R” era; the melody is recycled from “Rated R” while its lyrics are about moving on. Ending with “Love the Way You Lie Pt. II,” the female version of Eminem’s hit, Rihanna proves she can sing with conviction. The album may not reinvent the wheel, but it’s a damn-good wheel.