Madonna:

Forget Pharrell. Don't work with Timbaland.

You have been the groundbreaking, innovative, ballsy leader of the pop pack for more than 20 years.

Madonna:

Forget Pharrell. Don't work with Timbaland.

You have been the groundbreaking, innovative, ballsy leader of the pop pack for more than 20 years. Yes you've fucked up (American Life), gone a bit too far left (Music), stretched your singing abilities (Im Breathless, Evita), and put out an entire album of damage control (Confessions). But working with these two has-been flavors of 1999-2004 is SCREAMING desperation. I know you cant get a single in heavy rotation on American Clear Channel Top 40 radio to save your life in this day and age, but so what? An attempt to appropriate "Hollaback Girl" or "Promiscuous" will not only be the last nail in your attempt-to-still-be-25 coffin; you'll also alienate your peers, older fans, and all the critics who ONLY admire your irreverence and determination to be original.

Here's what you do: write some catchy songs. Give us a straight forward, bare bones pop album. Memorable lyrics, strong hooks, perhaps, even--a live instrument or two? Drop the electronica/techno bit--you've been doing it for four albums now (4 and 1/2 if you count Bedtime Stories); drop the vocoder/vocal effects; lose the minimalist (read: insipid) lyrics over guitar-for-beginners loops; forget the pensive, introspective my-life's-meaning-as-a-superstar themes. Get Pat Leonard back in the songwriting mix and work with a NEW producer who is a CLASSICALLY TRAINED MUSICIAN who UNDERSTANDS MUSIC THEORY and HOW TO MIX. No more avant garde DJs or tech-wizards or string-happy arrangers.

One or two songs with a heavy rock influence could be good, even great. A sultry R&B ballad or another brief homage to Donna Summer would also be welcome. Just give us some "Dress You Up," "You'll See," "Love Tried to Welcome Me," some "Physical Attraction," even some "Deeper and Deeper." Pop songs adults closer to your age might enjoy but that hold up to the same shit your fans fell in love with almost 25 years ago.

Also burn the master tapes of the Like a Virgin album...



--badujunkie

Me too, Madonna is not at all innovative or groundbreaking. She's just a product.

BT11 said:

Love ur avatar

Me too, Madonna is not at all innovative or groundbreaking. She's just a product.

I really liked Bedtime Stories though, and that was the last time she got a lineup of American hitmakers (Babyface, Dallas Austin, etc).

CinisterCee said:

It's a very weak effort, clearly a damage control album, It's a shame she didn't do more tracks with nelee hooper...

MikeMatronik said:

I completely disagree.'Bedtime Stories' is a remarkable album.It's not groundbreaking or edgy,but it's a consistent album filled with many highlights.

"Don't Stop" ranks amoung the worse songs madonna ever did

SoulAlive said:

It's the most dated and the vast majorituy of the songs have aged disgracefuly. It's incredible weak compared to a masterpiece that is Erotica...


"Don't Stop" ranks amoung the worse songs madonna ever did

MikeMatronik said:

that's like the only weak cut. you can tell she wrote the lyrics.

MikeMatronik said:

I agree,"Don't Stop" is weak.That's filler

But what about these songs?

"Secret"---arguably,her best 90s single
"Forbidden Love"---shoulda been a single!! This song is sexy and sultry.
"Inside Of Me"
"Take A Bow"
"Love Tried To Welcome Me"

That's five excellent songs right there!
[Edited 2/28/07 0:16am]

MikeMatronik said:

that's like the only weak cut. you can tell she wrote the lyrics.

CinisterCee said:

She should have replaced that song with "Your Honesty" or "Let Down Your Guard".Both of those songs are superior to "Don't Stop".

I Bedtime Stories!

I could care one way or the other about who she works with, as I know that she's going to bring out the best in them.

But calling someone "the flavor of 1999-2004" is a bit oxymoronical. That's quite a span to be hot for anyone. And on top of that, Timbaland had maybe his most successful, high profile year ever in 2006.

Tessa said:

I agree.Another way to look at this:

Madonna has spent the last ten years or so working with non-American producers,making music that isn't your typical American Top 40 stuff.For the most part,she has ignored hip-hop and R&B.She has been working with guys that weren't exactly well-known (Mirwais,Stuart Price),making music that is edgy and sometimes very non-commercial (most of 'American Life').So,after four albums like this,maybe she wants to branch out a little? Maybe she truly wants to work with some well-known producers for a change....maybe she wants a big,commercial album that is in tune with American tastes? It's not like she does this everytime.As others have pointed out,'Bedtime Stories' was the last time she worked with "hot" producers,and that was back in 1994.

SoulAlive said:

I don't think I know "Your Honesty" but I wish "Let Down Your Guard" was on there instead.

SoulAlive said:

Who cares about Americans...she should work with the Milli Vanilli producer!

MikeMatronik said:

Come on,stop it We're having a great discussion here,don't ruin it.

and it's a shame Madonna ditched Shep and went to work with the R&B dudes...Also she didn't credit shep right on the input he did on "Secret".What was she trying to be...Whitney Houston or a pint size 4th member of TLC?

U have written "Guerilla" wrong...