Good Girl Gone Bad (CD - 2007)

Additional personnel: Jay-Z, Ne-Yo (rap vocals).

The music of Barbados-born singer Rihanna--a breezy blend of hip-hop, commercial pop, and Caribbean flavors--made her a bona fide superstar before the age of 20. Given her immediate success, one had to wonder if Rihanna would be a flash in the pan, but her third album, 2007's GOOD GIRL GONE BAD, is a winner. Interestingly, Rihanna avoids the Caribbean tinge that made her breakthrough single "Pon the Replay" a massive hit, sticking instead to more straightforward dance-pop designed for the club and the singles charts. More interesting still, she pulls it off with assurance and skill.

It doesn't hurt that heavyweight producers such as Timbaland (who contributes several tracks to GOOD GIRL) are on board, or that Rihanna is backed by the Def Jam empire. In fact, Def Jam president Jay-Z appears on the album's lead single, "Umbrella," an irresistible, stomping dance anthem that does exactly what a single should. Another highlight is "Shut Up and Drive," which works a powerful groove based around a sample of New Order's "Blue Monday." There are notably fewer ballads here than on Rihanna's sophomore effort, which is a welcome change, and makes the album more focused, energized, and danceable front to back.

Although it was released in June of 2007, Rihanna's GOOD GIRL GONE BAD refused to quit well into the summer of 2008, lingering on the Billboard charts and sending up single after single, including "Umbrella," "Shut Up and Drive," "Hate That I Love You," and "Don't Stop the Music." The RELOADED edition of the album contains three bonus tracks: Rihanna's #1 single "Take a Bow," "Disturbia," and a cover of Maroon 5's "If I Never See Your Face Again" (which she performs with Maroon 5 itself). The limited edition disc also comes with a DVD of behind-the-scenes footage.

Pop sensation Rihanna has gotten no small mileage out of her multi-platinum 2007 release, GOOD GIRL GONE BAD. With its smash singles "Umbrella," "Disturbia," "Shut Up and Drive," and others, and its supplemental release, 2008's GOOD GIRL GONE BAD: RELOADED, featuring three new songs, Rihanna's sophomore release has legs like few other releases. That trend continues with GOOD GIRL GONE BAD: THE REMIXES, which has top-shelf producers like Tony Moran, Jody Den Broeder, Wideboys, and Seamus Haji giving driving, club-oriented treatments to the album's tracks. Rather than seeming like overkill, the remixes highlight the catchy, groove-driven appeal of Rihanna's tunes, making for the perfect party album. minimize