The title of Rihanna’s last single perfectly summons up the impression 2009 has left on us: “Hard” is the word that best describes it and we begin its review remembering those who made it a bit harder by failing to deliver on the high expectations surrounding them. Examples are aplenty; in fact the majority of 2009’s releases feel like a disappointment in bulk. However, in a year when the sad death of Michael Jackson was its sociological phenomenon; David Guetta was king among producers; Black Eyed Peas were the biggest band in the planet and that mature lady from Scotland is on her way to become the best selling album with a collection of standards pushed to collective (in)conscience via the emotional manipulation of Talent TV shows, is hard not to be forgiving with those who had at least the intention to produce something decent but failed in the attempt.
C’mon guys! We know you can do better.