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Special Event: atrlcritic | Ed Sheeran's new songs after the upgrade
Member Since: 8/15/2012
Posts: 2,344
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FourFiveSeconds
Rihanna/Kanye West/Paul McCartney
 Full Review
Presumably the lead single from Rihanna's upcoming album R8, and with writing from West and McCartney, this really surprised me. I don't like most Rihanna songs but there have been a few exceptions (Disturbia, We Found Love, What Now) but I didn't expect to like this. I probably shouldn't have been surprised though, considering it's somewhat similar to "What Now", although I didn't know that before I listened. Now, to start analyzing the song.
The instrumental is a nice laid back guitar progression done by none other than Paul McCartney. While there might be some synth/electronic in the bridge, it's still fairly laid back. This instrumental makes a lot of this song what it is. The vocals are provided by Rihanna and Kanye West. Overall, I thought they both did a pretty good job in this track. I really like the background chorus during the chorus. The only real complaint I have is the fact that those screaming vocals in the background of Kanye's verse actually made the final version. I honestly would enjoy this a lot more had those not been there.
Consensus: While a little forgettable and generic, FourFiveSeconds is an enjoyable laid-back pop song.
SCORE: 7.5/10
American Beauty/American Psycho
Fall Out Boy
Track by Track
Irresistible: When I first heard this, I had mixed feelings on it, but listening to it again, it's really grown on me. I like the horns and the part where he says "It's irresistible" really makes the song powerful. 8/10
American Beauty/American Psycho: This track is catchy, but it doesn't have that much going for it. It seems a little all over the place and repetitive. I don't have much to say about this song because it just repeats itself over a few times. 5.5/10
Centuries: This might be tied for my favourite FOB track ever (I don't know, though, Thnks Fr The Mmrs is one of the best songs of all time). It just gives me such an awesome feel listening to it. From the first chorus, you can already tell it's going to be a powerful song. The guitar riff in the background of the verses goes along perfectly with the vocals and the parts with harmonies ("heart" and "opposite of amnesia") really make the song as well. However, what I probably like best about this song is definitely the chorus. It's just so powerful, especially the final one. The guitars at the end of the song really make this song. I don't think the song would be bad without them, but it wouldn't be as powerful as it is now. 10/10
These Kids Aren't Alright: I really liked this song at first, but now each time I listen to it, the blandness sticks out even more. I don't think it's awful, just boring. I certainly don't mind listening to it, but I just can't see myself putting this on repeat. However, the chorus is pretty nice. This just sounds like a teen rock song from 2008-2010. Patrick's vocals do fit this song pretty nice, though. 6/10
Uma Thurman: This was another song I didn't care for much at first, but this one has grown on me a lot more than Irresistible. The sample is really well used. I like how Patrick is somewhat screaming during the verses, it fits the fast-paced nature of them. The chorus is really good, too. The part where he says "Till death do us part" gets stuck in my head a lot. The bridge works really well. This one may be a little all over the place as well, but this one works. [B]10/10[/B].
Jet Pack Blues: (Note: I have not listened to tracks 6, 7, 8, 9, or 11 previous to the full album) This track is pretty boring. I don't have much to say about. The "I remember" repeated through the chorus is somewhat difficult to bear. 5/10
Novocaine: This isn't terrible, but it's not good. It sort of reminds me of that one Courtney Love track from SR&R, but it's nowhere near that level of terrible. The chorus is fast-paced and I like it. It fits the song even if the song is sort of irritating. 6/10
Fourth Of July: This is another track I don't have much to say about. The opening just repeats itself and the verses are boring. It's a little catchy, but that's unfortunately all it has going for it. 4/10
Favorite Record: I like what they're going for here, and it sort of works well. Definitely better executed than TKAA (which is what this reminds me of) but still not great, it's another track that's just there. There's really only three songs on this album fit to be singles, and they're the only great ones on the album. I'll have to give this a 6.5/10
Immortals: Speaking of songs fit for singles, this one would make a great 3rd single. I just love this song. The only part that isn't amazing is when he sings "we could be immortaaals", and that's not even terrible. This song really fit BH6, too. It reminds me a lot of Light Em Up, but they did it better this time. I'm pretty sure that the album version is different from the BH6 version, it sounds more heavy, and I like it more. 10/10
Twin Skeletons: I honestly forgot to think about this song at all, lol. It's boring like the 3 tracks before Fav Record and I don't like it. 4/10
68/100
Consensus: This album honestly has me concerned for their future. It seems like a commercial decline for Fall Out Boy (much like Mylo Xyloto was for Coldplay, except MX was still really good) and I didn't like it nearly as much as I thought I would. I thought Centuries and Immortals would be a good preview for the album, but this really let me down. The closest anything besides Centuries, Immortals, and Uma Thurman came to being good was Irresistible, and that was pretty good, but had its faults as well. I much prefer Save Rock And Roll over this.
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Member Since: 8/17/2013
Posts: 20,654
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Rihanna convinces with 180 degree turn.
It's been a long time since Rihanna's last solo record and many people were caught off guard by the drastic music change the 26-year-old hit maker is serving on her latest record FourFiveSeconds.
The potential future-hit-single features Kanye West and Beatles legend Paul McCartney on a minimalistic and earthy production.
Additionally we have to praise Rihanna for her impressive vocal development over the last few years. On FourFiveSeconds her voice sounds almost untouched, yet she's hitting notes I wasn't even aware exist.
The single represents Rihanna versatility and the ability to creat hits in nearly every genre.
10/10
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Member Since: 9/1/2013
Posts: 4,260
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Best song in years. Different but still addicting. Rihanna venturing in folk genre may be her best step yet in her astounding career. The legendary collaboration doesn't hurt either. The song screams quality. The raw vocals may be the cherry on top. A song that will be sung by the forthcoming generations. In the end, I can say that the Rihanna reign just won't let up. She is back, better than ever with the song that the terrible musical landscape needed to be revamped for good after the last dreadful year in music.This is Rihanna at her best, with one foot on legendary status now.
FFS 10/10
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Member Since: 1/1/2014
Posts: 43,331
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^ This is why you people can stop complaining about 0s. 
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Member Since: 4/4/2014
Posts: 32,654
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and the fact that this score means absolutely nothing, why does it have so many people so upset 
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Member Since: 1/1/2014
Posts: 13,761
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FourFiveSeconds
Rihanna ft. Kanye West and Paul McCartney
Review archive
Nick Jonas - Jealous
Nicki Minaj - The PinkPrint
Beyoncé - 7/11
Kanye West - Yeezus
Azealia Banks - Broke With Expensive Taste
Ariana Grande ft. The Weeknd - Love Me Harder
Taylor Swift - 1989
Tinashe - Aquarius
Calvin Harris ft. John Newman - Blame
Taylor Swift - Shake It Off
Jessie J, Ariana Grande and Nicki Minaj - Bang Bang
Azealia Banks - Heavy Metal and Reflective |
The bar for Rihanna is high. Left in a distinct Barbadian drought for the past two or so years, it's been difficult to acclimatise to a world where Rihanna albums aren't churned out with the precise efficiency of a German train station. Of course, in retrospect it is easy to forget Rihanna's mishaps. We Found Love was an inescapable, era-defining chart juggernaut, so much so that the following singles and parent album trawled along almost with the resignation of knowing the era had peaked so quick and so soon. Even Rihanna's 2012 effort, Unapologetic, was lead by two commercially competent singles, tied up in a cut #ratchet bow and henceforth abandoned within about the space of five months.
In a pop landscape where so many of Rihanna's peers - Gaga, Perry, Spears - are constantly failing to live up to their high expectations, it's easy to understand the efficient, German hype train behind Rihanna's tentative eighth studio album. Absence making the heart grow stronger is certainly a valid thought in this case, thus inciting a frantic, rabid hunger for anything with even the faintest vestige of 'Rihanna' at the very edge of the release of FourFiveSeconds.
The hope for Rihanna's own take on her own 2 On or Partition were swiftly crushed by the twangs of a guitar, as if it were strumming away idly on an August afternoon - almost mockingly for anyone who had already imagined the synthetic, R&B beats about to be played out. Without a doubt, if nothing else this is admirable. Somewhere in the filing cabinets of the music industry is an easy-bake recipe for a Rihanna hit, and this isn't one of them. Rihanna may not so much be a trend setter as some would like to believe, but through pursuing current ventures she at least manages to assert her own identity every time. While the song itself may not be bold, within the context of the Rihanna narrative it is.
However, stripping back the bravado of Rihanna and denying her of the club sounds to which she's so accustomed, FourFiveSeconds often serves to expose the true fragility of Rihanna's voice, much in a similar vein to how the broken human underneath Darth Vader's robotic mask is uncovered towards the end of Return of the Jedi. The same rings true for fellow vocalist Kanye West, whose previous ventures into singing have usually been masqueraded by autotune - usually to the desired, broken effect. Plunging these two artists into the unwavering depths of a song which denies them of distraction may seem jarring, but ultimately it captures the exact intention of the song itself.
The hook is subtle, however it's a deceptive ear worm. This song isn't designed to be something as pristine as Stay. The way the hook resonates with something along the lines of the opening to Tina Turner's Proud Mary shows its designed as a crowd-pleaser, something accessible to which people would chant around a campfire. This could be one of the more genuine incarnations we've seen of sensitive-Rihanna, where her 'kindness is taken for weakness' and she's just 'tryna make it back home'. It's humble, but it's effective. Through its own imperfections and vulnerability, it reaches something which is ultimately far more accessible and authentic. It's an impulse, a direct expression.
Naturally, with such a long gestation period, it may be difficult for some to come to terms with a lead single from Rihanna that's anything less than a child prodigy. However, the true intention of the song is perfectly embodied in its own artwork. What may at first seem like the title card for a contrived attempt at a crossover sitcom in the nineties is in fact something which doesn't demand to be 'interpreted' at all. It's a candid shot, Rihanna exposing her shoulder as tenderly as someone exposing their weakness through 'kindness', with all three artists looking frankly at the camera. As the Braille suggests, this song doesn't demand insight or for the audience to scrutinise the details. Instead, it demands something much more visceral than that: an instinctive touch, an act of impulse... a feeling.
6.2 out of 10 |
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ATRL Contributor
Member Since: 8/19/2013
Posts: 46,848
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45S
Really bad song. Rihanna tried to make an edgy sounding song and failed. Kanye and Paul contributed nothing to the single and it just falls flat in every way possible. Her vocals sound like a crunching potato chip especially near the "climax" and I'm not here for it. The instrumental is dull, boring, unoriginal, uninspired and boring (did I already say that?). I hope it flops off the chart so Rihanna can try again at this "comeback" cuz she's doing no better than Fergie at this rate musically and commercially. If I could give it a negative numbered review I totally would but it appears 0 is the lowest, so I am forced to settle with that.
0/10
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Member Since: 2/5/2014
Posts: 29,111
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Lethal you need more words.
And bluth, your review 
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Member Since: 10/9/2011
Posts: 12,450
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Quote:
Originally posted by Lethal
45S
Really bad song. Rihanna tried to make an edgy sounding song and failed.
0/10 |
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ATRL Contributor
Member Since: 8/19/2013
Posts: 46,848
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There I edited it 
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Member Since: 2/5/2014
Posts: 29,111
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Quote:
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Her vocals sound like a crunching potato chip especially near the "climax" and I'm not here for it.
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I hope this doesn't cause some ruffles...
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Member Since: 1/1/2014
Posts: 43,331
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Quote:
Originally posted by Cupid
People are only giving out 10's as a reaction to the trolling. Even I myself, sometimes overcompensate for unfair reviews by boosting mine. This is why my interest in this whole thread has waned, it really needs stricter management, just look at Lethal's "review" for example, clear bias.
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This thread is supposed to reflect the opinions of ATRL, which you know are going to be biased. No review comes from a completely objective standpoint. However, you have to be able to contextualize here. Given the nature of this forum, and the attitude that many people here have towards certain artists, you would expect certain songs and albums to garner more biased reviews.
I implemented the Top Critic Score for situations exactly like this- to give a more objective viewpoint of a song or album. Because ATRL isn't just hardcore stans. The TC score shows a different side of ATRL, a side that I believe should be represented.
I would certainly appreciate a suggestion for a further solution.
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Member Since: 1/1/2014
Posts: 43,331
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This is a 1 day notice for all three items up for review. When all three end tomorrow, I'll take a look back at what people voted for when I proposed a list of current hits about a week ago.
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Member Since: 3/15/2013
Posts: 13,055
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FiveFourSeconds - Rihanna feat. Kanye West & Paul McCartney
Rihanna released a song that nobody expected her to release, with the help of her friend Kanye West and the legend Paul McCartney. Her vocals show emotions that she hasn't shown since "Russian Roulette". The lyrics are playful and original. Her verses are actually good, even in a song that tries to be "folk" but it doesn't feel like it does her justice. Kanye West's collaboration wasn't needed. He doesn't give the song anything new or "good" for that matter. Maybe if Rihanna sang the verse Kanye had, the song could have been a lot better, but it is what it is.
The song surprised a lot of people, including me. The transition from her other "usual" genres was unexpected and the song isn't bad, but it isn't her best either. Either way, it's Rihanna and I haven't heard a bad song from her since she released her first album.
6.5/10
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Member Since: 2/20/2012
Posts: 24,225
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Quote:
Originally posted by Cupid
People are only giving out 10's as a reaction to the trolling. Even I myself, sometimes overcompensate for unfair reviews by boosting mine. This is why my interest in this whole thread has waned, it really needs stricter management, just look at Lethal's "review" for example, clear bias.
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It doesn't matter, and besides, it's better to have a larger sample size so all of the reviews might as well be counted.
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Member Since: 3/21/2012
Posts: 55,134
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Quote:
Originally posted by Cupid
People are only giving out 10's as a reaction to the trolling. Even I myself, sometimes overcompensate for unfair reviews by boosting mine. This is why my interest in this whole thread has waned, it really needs stricter management, just look at Lethal's "review" for example, clear bias.
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No. I genuinely love the song and gave it a 10 . And I reviewed the song before all the 0 madness
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Member Since: 6/14/2010
Posts: 4,200
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Quote:
Originally posted by chilicheese01
I guess the rest of the song is just so bad that it cancels out any positive aspect!
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But as soon as you write something positive zero as the rating becomes meaningless.
Zero= nothing positive
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Member Since: 6/14/2010
Posts: 4,200
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People who hate a song you should know that there are ratings and 1, 2.3.
People who love a song you should know that there are scores 9,8,7.
Too zero and tens.
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Member Since: 1/1/2014
Posts: 43,331
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Everyone has until 9pm tomorrow to get a review in for 45S, AB/AP, or Heartbeat Song.
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Member Since: 8/18/2013
Posts: 6,144
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FourFiveSeconds
This is Rihanna's first lead single since 2012, like it or not people have been waiting for her too come back & radio has missed her. This song features a legend like Paul McCartney and a critically-acclaimed rapper Kanye West along with a pop princess Rihanna, there is no way this song could disappoint. And let me tell you it didn't, I've been waiting so long for her to do an acoustic/guitar record like this one and as soon as I heard the first guitar string on the rihannanow.com site she posted on twitter and to begin with she could have literally made the shittest song and I still would have loved it for the first day because it's a new song with her voice on.  But at after the 1st day here I am still playing it non-stop with over 350 plays on my last.fm after a week. Her voice is so soothing and organic, Kanye adds something to the song I can't quite explain along with a legend from the Beatles, Mr Paul McCartney, this is EXACTLY what the radio needs!
10/10
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