RIHANNA - A Girl Like Me Review

If nothing else, it has been an eventful and eye opening year for Barbados born songstress Rihanna. In addition to recording one of the most popular singles of 2005, the hypnotic "Pon De Replay" (which bass bumped out of more car windows while igniting a slew of barbecues last summer), she won over the masses with her charming Bajan persona....full text That squawky synth sample from Soft Cell's ''Tainted Love'' on sexy single ''SOS'' isn't the only thing that screams '80s on A Girl Like Me — a sophomore disc which drops a mere eight months after the modestly successful Music of the Sun....full text Rihanna, A Girl Like Me (* * ½) The Barbados native is back with her second album in nine months after her debut spawned the smash Pon de Replay. In SOS, she's got another bubbling dance jam, which is clearly her forte. Uptempo songs such as Kisses Don't Lie and Dem Haters show she's at ease riding a groove....full text