Whatever his songwriting chops–he wrote “Umbrella,” after all, meaning I can appreciate the skill even if left cold by the end results–I got fleeced buying a used copy of Lovehate, the debut album from Atlanta pop R&B radio killer The-Dream. Every other song is sunk by some of the most sophomoric baby-playa lyrics imaginable, embarrassing even when librettos crafted from horny teens’ text messages are sadly the rule. But one of the few songs on the record worth your .99–quite a bit more, actually–is “Living A Lie,” redeemed by the typically tart contributions from The-Dream’s key foil/muse, Rihanna.
The-Dream is cribbing a little from his own synth-riff fakebook here, but at least he’s forced to drop the “6:15 I be kicking her out” shtick for something a little more wistful and human(e). Given my affection for Rihanna duets, I might be overrating it a little, but if not an “Umbrella”-grade smash, it would certainly light up the dreary first-quarter singles market with a proper video.
The-Dream feat. Rihanna - “Living A Lie” [YouTube]
You’re not overrating it at all–it’s a great song, and I sort of feel the way you do about the album (which I picked up new last night, though thankfully for under $12).
Man, I guess I’m alone (or maybe I’m just good at ignoring lyrics) — I’ve been playing the hell out of LoveHate and crushing on most of it.
I mean, dopey lyrics on an R&B/pop album? Who’da thunk?
@dennisobell: i’m with you. its been on pretty heavy rotation over here.