SoulAlive said:

Thank you very much. I just thought why oh why she would put 3 long songs back-to-back-to-back? It should mean something.

People here in our country are buying this album like crazy. First time (well since 1989) that members of the teen set are actually buying a Madonna album.

SoulAlive said:

totally yay. i was a fan of the trammps mashup too. but now she's on some old school NY schitt? wwwwwooooo

Yahoo Music Jukebox service is streaming the album, so I'll give it a listen later today. I've heard Heartbeat and Miles Away, and I like them. Much better than 4 Minutes (but it doesn't take much to beat that one). The "lifeless" comment from allmusic is harsh...I hope I don't agree.

Within the hour I'm going to pick up Hard Candy! Where I was nowhere near excited about this CD a month ago, now that I've heard some songs, I'm VERY excited about this CD. I'm glad to be on her side now and not against her.

JoeTyler said:

Hiya - just wanted to answer this one. I personally think that this is simply an extension of Madonna, yes it has elements of the pop tart but that girl has never left. I think she DOES have her artistic expression in a few of the songs and the other ones are just fun. What's wrong with that? IMO there are so many artists ready to hit you with heavy lyrics, some of Madonna's on this album cover emotion and capture it perfectly. Voices is beautiful and I think artistic. I think the slant she has had on the style of the artists she has worked with works wonders. I love the album, the depth of some of it took a few days to grow on me but it's there for me nonetheless. Then those that are made for fun do their job just as well.
Just my opinion.

OH and to discredit myself on this forum I actually like Spanish Lesson. It's silly but I like the energy in it. Yes it means nothing but so what? It's fun..

Lisa

Bought the album at midnight while everyone in my demo of straight white male 18-30 where in line for a video game. Anyway, I listend to only half of the album so far but I will give a review when I'm finished. Overall, not bad. She goes back to some of the weak points of COADF, but overall so far it might be an improvement.

I have to agree. It's that same strange "look", which I think has been described as "lesbian aunt" chic.

Listening to "Dance 2Tonight" and Justin doesn't totally manage to ruin this one. A good mix of hard Timbaland beats with a nod to disco along with some of those semi-inspirational lyrics. The controversial "Spanish Lesson" just turned on. Oh boy...I'll give a review after listening to the whole thing.

Track by track:

1. Candy Shop-Typical Neptunes beats but with Madonna's stern delivery and campy lyrics, it manages to be by far the highlight of the album. A fun sugar fest, for sure. She hasn't quite found her footing with the Neptunes beats, but she has a good time trying to....It's more Neptunes than Madonna, but I dig it. I know they won't make it a single, but I sure hope so.

2. 4 Mintues-Howard Stern played this on his show (Fred played it as a bumper to go back into the show after coming back from a commercial break...sometimes he'll use songs that Howard and the crew are familar with, like classic rock from the seventies or other stuff but once in while he'll play one of the hit singles of the day) and he commented on and said "This song sounds important" without knowing what it was and just hearing the Timbaland intro. After that, a dance party occurred. Seriously. They were commenting on this being the kind of song you could dance to in a club "If you were on E!". Anyway, different members of the show danced to it and they had to be play it a few times since the radio version is so short. After hearing it on the album, it sounds like a fun and flirty duet with those typical lyrics of saving the world, but just vague enough not to be all that "important". Too much Justin, though, but I guess it is a duet.

3. Give It 2 Me-I didn't get this one at first. Very odd euro dance beats and as someone else said circus music. She is really fighting against the odd music of the track. Get stupid, indeed. I might need to give it a few listens, but I guess I understand it as a single.

4. Heartbeat-I thought I was going to like Neptunes tracks better, but damn, this one proved me wrong. It's an OK song about loving to dance, but gets ruined by the almost purposely strained vocals of Madonna ("the only one....") and Pharrell's "Hey"s and "Girl"s! The fact that NERD isn't cracking out the hit singles might say something about that damn annoying voice of yours. It was good ten years ago every so often on a Jay-Z track, but damn. Get more stupider!

5. Miles Away-Here Madonna seems to be get real and heartfelt. Some of the lyrics even some a bit humourous. A good vocal delivery, good sway...Top notch track but probably too pop for radio.

6. She's Not Me-Kind of old school (like that Jellybean track "Sidewalk Talk") and an attempt at rapping. The chorus sort of loses me, though, after fun verses. The beat is funky and very eighties. Wendy rocks out on this one....Pharrell's damn flaseto not so much. I do like the fade back in after you think the song is done.

7. Incredible-Childish but fun beats and lyrics. Another sort of circusy track but Madonna manages to be a bit heartfelt and funky when the song sort of breaks into a different mindless song. A lot going in in these six plus mintues...including someone putting their stamp on the track when it really wasn't needed....who would that be?

8. The Beat Goes On-Pharrell's vocal is not super obnoxious here and shockingly welcome. Yet another time and keep your head up tracks, but I sort of hate how it all leads into Kanye's boring as rap. The beat isn't over the top and works well with the song unlike something like "Give It 2 Me".

9. Dance 2Night-A nice funky beat that hits at disco and Justin occasional vocal here is not terrible. As the album progresses, either she is getting more used to the productions or her songs are written more specfically for the tracks....oddly, though, she is not a producer of these Timabland tracks.

10. Spanish Lesson-Oh shit! Spoke to song. A campy exercise in chants and rambled thoughts is barely a song. More fit for a b-side or bonus track and not fit for an album that is going well. Some of the beats are interesting, although the lyrics are not at all! Hopefully this purposely dumb track is not going to be enteratined for the tour.

11. The Devil Wouldn't Recognize You-When I heard about this track and the fact that it was meant for a forties musical, I figured it was going to be terrible camp garbage....like "Spanish Lesson". It is possibly the biggest surprise on the album. A wonderful production with subtle beats, smart lyrics, a strong melody and her best vocals on the album. Timbaland is surprising me after the audcious "4 Mintues".

12. Voices-Mysterious and sexy after so many songs that were just crazy hip-hop beat fests. The album manages to get better in the second half, even though the first half has highlights. Not super catchy, but a bit of a slow burner that will get you. I've recently got into "chill" music and this track is probably the closet thing to that on the album although with some strong old school Madonna hooks ("Are you walking the dog/Is that dog walking you"). Reminds me of classic Madonna and the kind of stuff that could have ended up on 'Erotica".

Overall, I'm shocked that I really like this although it has a some incredibly weak, if not cringe worthy moments. Not full tracks, though. Even "Spanish Lesson" isn't a total loss, but I think a fun but well paced song like "Ring My Bell" should have been on here with "Spanish Lesson" as the Japan/Itunes bonus tack.

Sorry if I ramble....I just started listening to the album and went crazy....
[Edited 4/29/08 11:39am]

^^^^^

Nice well thought out review , after 2 listens , I agree with most of yours.

I am upset because of the incredible HYPE over Give it To Me which was ok...the breakdown was the highlight.

Heartbeat is the JAYM and Miles Away is good so far.

Cant wait to hear the other jams.

Its MILES AWAY in front of Mariahs album

MATRONIK'S REVIEW:


M-dolla + Pharrell = GREAT ALBUM


1- CANDY SHOP

This track leaked months ago. It's the most un-madonna track of the set. Also, it's the textbook of the Neptunes Rhythm/Beat propaganda.

While it may seem sub-par and even vulgar, the quirkness and camp lyrics are...sweet. It's addictive.

4/5

2 - 4 MINUTES

The weakest link of the album. It has proven to be a catchy track, but it's truly the sign that the Timbaland Hit Factory is slowly dying. The similarities with another Timbaland production called "Elevator" are very close. What saves this song from being utter shit is the chorus. No one makes a catchy chorus like M-dolla.

Also Justin's vox really blend with M.

2/5

3 - GIVE IT 2 ME

A perfect pop song. And why is it so?

1. Perfect chorus
2. Simple production
3. Anyone can sing to this

The interlude is so fun.

5/5

4 - Heartbeat

The synth work on this song is very experimental for a Neptunes production. It seems that Pharrell really wanted to impress Madonna. And once again simplicity equals pop perfection.

The retro vibe is welcomed and pharrell's back vox feel so good on the context of the song. It seems M-dolla and Skater P (Pharrell's alter-ego) are truly friends!

5/5

5 - Miles Away

A true madonna song and I dare to say: A MASTERPIECE. Madonna has always been a master at melancolic ballads (Live to tell, To Have and not hold). One can smell the sadness created by the distance between lovers.

Strangely, this song reminds me of Duran Duran's Falling Down. Both songs are personifications of boths artists soundscape. I think JT has truly learned to emulate his favourite artist.

And man, this song is going to rock live. I can see everyone singalong to this on the M-Dolla World Tour.

5/5

6 - She's Not Me

My favourite song of the album. It's pure Prince funk. We all know that Pharrell is a Prince fanatic. And Wendy on the funky guitar. WOW! The funkiest Madonna song ever (sorry Keep it together!).

I love the fact that it seems to be a 12'' mix. The 3 part structure is pure bliss. The Madonna and Pharrell marriage works so nicely. He's a true fan!

A MASTERPIECE! An anthem!

Imagine this being coupled with Thief of Hearts on a live context!

"WENDY!!!"

5/5

7 - Incredible

I'm having a hard time knowing if I love it or I truly hate it. It's very catchy, but it seems so...fragmented. I think the less is more approach in the production and the lenght of it is what makes this uncertain territory for me.

3/5

8 - Beat Goes On

I LOVE THIS ONE. This version is vastly superior to the leaked demo. It's pure dance. Madonna redoes disco into the hip-hop universe. The Kanye featuring is great.

Nothing to declare...Let's dance!

5/5

9 - Dance 2night

The Bass on it is a killer. Great song. Madonna's phrasing is different. Some new ground here. JT really work well with her. I don't think that is single material, but it's a great album track. It has that chill-out quality that can make this an enduring track on many fans M-Top40.

Also, it's the perfection that the hot-mess that 4 Minutes is not!

5/5

10 - Spanish Lesson

I love this one. I'm sucky for silly and camp madonna song. (I love Jimmy Jimmy...)

It's fun, catchy and above all, pathetic.

It's the "I'm Going Bananas" on the 00's.

Reminds me of a screw ball comedy!

4/5

11 - Devil Wouldn't Recognize You

The best song in terms of lyrics. Shame the Timbaland production seems so dated.
It has that vibe Love Profusion had.

I wanted to love this more, but I can't. The template of this was used on JT's Cry me a river. This song should have bee done in a Cabaret-esque theme.

3/5

12 - Voices

The last song on a Madonna album is always a bittersweet moment. Maybe because they are always very anti-climatic and are a moment of self observation. While Mer Girl didn't suffer from the weakness of all of the last songs of any madonna, Voices, like the other, is weak.

Also the mixing is horrid. Dire! The beats are too upfront.

2/5

OVERALL!

I think this is a great album. I think one cannot say it better than any previous madonna album (like it has happened with janet...we all crave for another The Velvet Rope).

All of Madonna's albums portrait Madonna's frame of mind. This one shows us a peacefull, joyous madonna, the so called M-Dolla persona, a experienced woman, who knows how to deal with the mundane troubles and truly uses the mechanism of "fun" to escape the dreadfull panorama of daily life

While Madonna wanted to embrace America's current pop scenario (what we here call with love "shit-hop"), she both failed but triumphed.

The failure was in Timbaland's production. Timbaland is dying. He's this era SAW. Like them, the hit factory became a repetion of a multitude of sound clones, And so on and on and on.

The triumph was in the hands of Pharrell. After being refused by MJ and Prince, Pharrell ended up doing a hell of a work with Madonna. While mixing his own production with Madonna's discipline, they've evolved the Madonna sound of the first album to the present day. I sense that these 2 really had fun doing the album.

Also note that she was give co-production. The Neptunes never give production credits to anyone (not even Mariah...heheh)

I give this album a 4/5...

paisleypark4 said:

U'll adore "She's not me"

It's funky!!!

Matronik said:

any1 have the instrumental of "she's not me"?

Matronik said:

Great review, agree with almost all of it. Give It 2 Me is the shit, totally confused by those who don't like it.

Is the mixing for Voices as bad for the real album as it was for the leak, ie, all distorted?

I just realized that this is the first time in over 15 years that I haven't gone to buy a Madonna album on its first day of release. I could still make it to town, but I'm just too tired. And I've been listening to it for a week now already. I do feel bad, though

Would dling it from iTunes count toward alleviating the guilt and shame?

I got Hard Candy earlier today and I have to say, this CD is EXCELLENT. It's a pure pop/dance CD. Nothing more or less. Plus, Madonna got funky a few times on this CD. I don't think I've heard that type of sound from her since the "Madonna" album. Between Timbaland and Pharrell, I'm feeling Pharrell's stuff more.

My favorites:
Candy Shop: Sticky and Sweet indeed

Give it 2 Me: that song kicks my ass. I love the drumbeat and Madonna sounds great on it. "Get stupid" is stupid but the music and the beat makes me forgive her and even sing along to it. It's not deep so why should I go there with it?

Heartbeat: that song is funky. I can't help but dance to this one and the lyrics are cool too.

Miles Away: arguably the best song on here. Proves to me that Timbaland's efforts were not in vain. It grabs you from the first note to the last and it's funky too. I see why SoulAlive and many others here love it so much. Madonna would be a damn fool not to release this as a single. A fantastic song.

Incredible: hell yeah it is. It's like it's 2 songs in one and both parts are great but I love the last part. I can't help but move to it. That line "Sex with you is Incredible" or something like that is clever.

She's Not Me: another funky song and Wendy want's to show up and take it to another level. I love a Princely influence anywhere in music and this one is great

Dance 2night: great smooth dance song and like some have said, Justin isn't so annoying on it. The beat is on point and so is the groove.

The Others:
The Beat Goes On: it's alright but Kanye was not needed on the song and I like the demo a little bit more than this.

The Devil Wouldn't Recognize You: sounds like a sequel to Justin's "What Goes Around" Not bad but it hasn't grabbed me yet.

Voices: It's a good song but I need more listens to it.

4 Minutes: it's better on CD with headphones but I'm still not digging it that much though it can change. It's ridiculously catchy and I can see why it's a big hit.

Spanish Lesson: that's the worst one on there. I see why it's been dogged on here. The lyrics are quite lame on this one but I like the music and the beat. That's it's only saving grace.

Out of 5 start, I give it an easy 4/5 I must say, I need to listen to this more so I can really digest this one completely as I stated with Voices and The Devil... but with that, this could be in my Top 3 favorite Madonna CD's. Definately Top 5. I was really doubting her with Hard Candy but she made a believer out of me with this one and I'm seriously considering saving money to see her on tour if and when she comes back to NYC. I would like to see how good she is in person. Based on what I've heard tonight and all of her material that I have, I don't think I would be disappointed.
[Edited 4/29/08 21:12pm]

Another breakdown of the tracks after another listen while driving home:

The Shit: Candy Shop, Devil Wouldn't Recognize You
The Very Good: The Beat Goes On, Miles Away, She's Not Me, Voices, Dance 2Night
The OK: Give It To Me, Incredible
The Bad: Heartbeat, 4 Mintues
The Fugly: Spainish Lesson

Since all of the tracks have so much going on (especailly the Neptunes) they all have weak moments, but also the weak songs have good moments...There were elements of "Spainish Lesson" that could be used well in a better song...The chanting of "Work", is not one them!
"The Beat Goes On" would be a better track without the Kanye rap, It is just kind of there. It's not awful. But worse than that was the build up....you knew it was coming and then that moment where the vocals are distorted and repeating...here it comes...Finally! I have a lot of thoughts on this album, but overall they are positive. I'm not sure about the title....A better title would have been..."Confessions On A Dance Floor"! All the songs are upbeat enough and that middle section which someone described as epic feels like a confession! I might have to pull that one out when I can and give it another spin,

Ellen dancing to "Give It To Me" on her show yesterday

After listening to "Hard Candy" and living with it for a couple of days now, I can say that I think it's going to be one of my favourite Madonna album!
I won't say which tracks are my favourites and which songs I'm still getting used to as it changes with each listen. It's just very uplifting and open, it's bouncy and surprising.
I didn't know what to expect in terms of style and sound- so who would of thought that she'd make a Prince/Michael Jackson album! (please don't scoff, it's probably the best way to describe it- a big 70's/80's funky album with an updated/modern twist)
It's like the depressed "Like A Prayer" album finally got out to meet other people and took far too many E's in a club- it's problems and concerns were still there, but they were having way too much fun to be worried!?!
I've missed the squeaky, silly Madonna voice also, so I love that she sounds slightly off kilter again and sounds like she's having a great time in the studio again- it sounds like it was an escape for her and that's what the album come across as- an escape...a big, noisy, silly, funky, hand clap, bass, positive, sassy, cheeky, explosion of escapism....that front cover, for me anyway, suddenly makes sense!
Mmmmmm yummy! See my booty get down...


...and yes, I was sad and listened to it for the first time with a great big bowl of Hard Candy...glass of wine just out of shot!
[Edited 4/30/08 2:15am]

TheResistor said:

They sure do That's Wendy Melvoin playing guitar on that track.

jthad1129 said:

Me too.I like the retro feel of this song.That funky bassline is great! This track sounds like it's straight out of 1982.

stevenpottle said:

I was listening to this CD all day and I gotta say...

"Miles Away" is becoming my new favorite Madonna song.I'm serious.This song is an instant classic.I go crazy when Madonna does songs like this....when she's being vulnerable.Remember "Bad Girl"? "To Have And Not To Hold"? Those songs give me chills,and this one does too. When she's going through some emotional drama in her personal life,she can write some amazing songs! I love her sad songs.

Like PurpleCam said,this has GOT to be a single!!!
[Edited 4/30/08 2:32am]

It seems to me that Shes Not Me is getting a whole load of love. Its possibly my favourite on the record now, but Incredible has really grown on me too. Im in love with the desperation of the final segment. The "time to get you hands up" part is brilliant - it'll sound amazing live. In fact this whole album will work well live - she's certainly gonna have some fun with Give It 2 Me.

CrozzaUK said:

When I first heard "Incredible",I thought the second part was silly and crazy,but now,that's my favorite part of the song.It takes the song in another whole direction and I love it.


[Edited 4/30/08 2:36am]

I really don't get all the love for "Miles Away"... yeah, it's one of the few "SONG" songs (along with "Devil" and "Voices"), doesn't have the schizophrenic feel of the rest of it, and her vocals aren't too annoying on it. But it just kind of lays there for me. The lyrical content doesn't even really hit me the way I thought it would, and I can really kind of relate to it. I don't know... this one is just okay for me. I think it actually kind of drags things down being right in the middle of the album.

Xcalibre said:

How ironic that,on a mostly uptempo dance album,my favorite song would be the mellow song with sad lyrics

Another thing I love about this song: the production is stripped down and un-cluttered,compared to most of the other tracks.

I'm loving this album more and more. "Miles Away" is definitely my favorite, but #2 is hotly contested. "Devil Wouldn't Recognize You"? "Dance 2night"? "She's Not Me"? "Heartbeat"? "4 Minutes"? (Yes, I love that one.)

"Candy Shop" works so much better than I thought it did at first. I'm digging the Tim tracks more than the Pharrell ones, but that's always been the case. Still, outside of "Spanish Lesson," I'm having a hard time picking out the second-weakest track. That's a good thing. Hell, I even think I like that song a little more than I initially thought.

Xcalibre said:

Yeah i kind of feel that while i really like the song it doesnt grab me like a lot of the record. It is naggingly catchy though. My favourite part of the song is where it starts to go abit clubby at the end - she should totally do an extended version of this.

Also her vocals on this do sound like old madonna - very Like A Prayer-ish to my ears.

CrozzaUK said:

I agree with this - Miles away is okay but not amazing for me (I have been known to skip it when listening already!). To have and not to hold was better. I much prefer voices than this and was so expecting to love Miles away. Maybe that's why eh? I expected too much from it where as I had no preconceptions about voices and the devil wouldn't recognise you. Although judging by all the love Miles Away is getting if released I am sure it will do well.

Lisa