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Showing reviews 31-35 of 474
 Overwhelmingly Surprising April 29, 2008
BA Wilson (Johannesburg, SOUTH AFRICA)
13 out of 16 found this review helpful
To be honest, after hearing that Madonna had teamed up with Timbaland, I was rather apprehensive about the release of "Hard Candy". Admittedly, I am not entirely a hip-hop fan, although I did enjoy the album "Loose" by Nelly Furtado, also produced by Timbaland. "Hard Candy" was released a day earlier in South Africa (Sunday, 27 April) and, after listening to it, I can only say that Madonna has definitely exceeded my expectations. In fact, to be honest, the last album that made me smile this much was an album released almost two decades ago - "Like a Prayer". I could perhaps also throw "Ray of Light" in here too. Although Madonna has scored some major hits since "Like a Prayer", like "Vogue", "Deeper and Deeper", "Frozen", "Ray of Light", "Music" and "Hung Up", she has not since then produced an album as exhilarating as this. I thoroughly enjoyed "Confessions on a Dance Floor", but there were only really three or four potential singles from that album.
"Hard Candy", I can assure you, contains at least six potential singles, and that is no lie. I don't quite think it was accurate to describe "hip-hop" as the main influence on this album. Sure, there are definite hip-hop stimuli, but fans both old and young will find the material far more dance-oriented than it has been made out to be. In fact, there is something for everybody on "Hard Candy". Some tunes have a definite 80's groove, 70's disco and stomping 90's dance. Madonna has certainly proven her staying power with this album.
The album opens with the tune "Candy Shop". With no disrespect at all towards Madonna, this sounds very much like a track from Nelly Furtado, from her album "Loose". The song is definitely not the strongest on the album, but is indeed catchy with repeated lyrics declaring 'Sticky and sweet, sticky and sweet'.
"4 Minutes" was for me personally, a bit disappointing. I suppose I expected a bit more for a first single release. However, it has proven popular on the world charts, reaching the top 3 in more than 30 countries, including the US, UK, Canada, Japan, Australia, South Africa and France.
The third album track, "Give it to me", really put a smile on my face and will put a smile on the world charts too. It is undeniably catchy - a stomping dance track with a beguiling chorus that sticks permanently in your head. This is a definite third or fourth single release and will likely be a huge hit.
"Heartbeat" mixes hip-hop with both 80's synth and early 90's trip beats. Not a possible single, but the track is honest, in your face and hummable. Madonna also tests the upper realms of her pitch potential, and succeeds with ease.
"Miles Away" - oh wow! Beautiful guitar, deep grooves, alluring lyrics and oh so captivating. This is Madonna at her poetic best! 'You always love me more...miles away' is clearly an ode to her sometimes long-distance relationship with Guy Ritchie. This begs to be released as a single.
"She's Not Me" is a dig at some floozy who has clearly upset Madonna enough to proclaim that 'she doesn't have money; she'll never have what I have'. However, this description in no way illustrates what a breathtaking track this is - single number three or four without a doubt. This track sounds like something that could belong on a 'teen movie' soundtrack, especially towards the middle when we are greeted by a bubblegum, up-tempo surprise. It has incredibly catchy lyrics and the bassist deserves a gold medal. This is yet another stomping club track and fans of European singer, Mika, will also be very impressed. However, Madonna makes this 'single' her own.
"Incredible" is a synth-based, hip-hop-mixed, fresh tune. Definitely not a single but, again, could likely become catchy with time.
"Beat goes on" is, for sure, single release number two. What a fantastic job Madonna and Kayne West have done on this track. I'm apt to say that this is my favourite track on the album, and my favourite in many years. The chorus is so captivating, I have no doubt in my mind that this will be Madonna's biggest number one for many years. It's a beautiful dance groove that can simply be described as "mesmerising". If I do dare criticise this track, it would have to be the minute-long "rap" in the middle of the song, which appeared to be out of place.
The remaining four tracks, "Dance 2Night" (reminds me of Wham's "Young Guns (Go for it)", "Spanish Lesson" (the weakest track), "Devil Wouldn't Recognize You" and "Voices" can mostly be regarded as pleasing. The only possible single release here though would be "Devil Wouldn't Recognise You", a catchy ballad that gets better with each listen.
Well done, Madonna. She will indeed surprise many, many people with this album. This album might not be regarded as Madonna's best, but it certainly beats "Bedtime Stories", "Music" and "American Life". It has come at the right time, and is polished, immaculate and enthralling.
 Avoid April 29, 2008
Lovblad (Geneva, Switzerland)
13 out of 48 found this review helpful
The title should have been a warning. Just like Erotica, this is one big dud! The cover is really tacky and horrible: a woman of her (mine!) age should know better and the music is really dismal. Do not get me wrong, her last record was really pretty good and even the live one after it was quite nice but this one is really staggeringly bad. OK so she is doing some duets with some very current people, but the whole thing is a mess really. Musically she has allways managed to follow the trends and to be above everybody else. Here there is a lack of melody that is the real killer. OK, I got it cheaply but I was expecting a lot more from her because she has shown herself to be quite talented and able to survive all the trends.
Rather Lame April 30, 2008
Shatzi Crabtree (NC)
13 out of 27 found this review helpful
Out of all the songs on this CD, there are only about three that I would like to listen to on the iPod for workout/treadmill music, and those are only for the music. They sound like 80s songs, esp Give It 2 Me. That one has a nice bass lick, but it's just an 80s dance song. What was a bit surprising was how bad her voice sounds on this CD. She was never exactly an opera singer to begin with, but on that song as an example, she sounds really deep, then goes to her original "Minnie Mouse on helium" voice. If this CD were instrumental it would be an average 80s style dance album. Her voice takes it down to below that.
"4 Minutes" is just horrid, unless you're under 20.
The sound itself is good, it pounds pretty well in the headphones.
I'm trying to be objective here, but for a woman who has recently said she wants to tone down the masculine look and be more feminine, why is this new CD cover showing a scary, S&M looking chick? The cover is unnecessary for another average dance CD. We've seen this, um, "side" of her since 1983, how about something new? Is this really all she can offer?
Basically, hardcore fans will love it, as they will anything she spits out. Those looking for music to work out to will find it just OK, but have the remote handy, or prepare to dump some songs for the iPod. As for the cover, have a giggle and toss it on the other Madonna soft core CD covers. After 25 years of "Look at my parts!!!!" posing, we see she can barely pose as anything else.
Gotta go with "lame."
Next . . . PLEASE!!! May 6, 2008
C.A. (Houston, TX United States)
13 out of 19 found this review helpful
I hate to give this cd a 1, but its really bad. I don't know what happened to the creative Madonna that used to put out really good stuff, and every album she made was "unique" and stood out above the rest. I am very dissapointed. Nothing in this album in my opinion stands out. Each track just makes you want to skip to the next and the next until you realize that the album is over. The somewhat ok tracks in this album in my opinion are: 9, 11, and 12. Maybe they will be released as singles with remixes and they will really be more catchy. Otherwise, please give me the next album, hopefully that one will be better than this.
It's Not A High School Musical... May 7, 2008
O. Marie (Seattle)
13 out of 20 found this review helpful
This album has been promoted as a big "pop" party, but left my women friends and I wishing Madonna would have done something more age-appropriate... Something we could have brought into the house to listen to, and to dance with our pre-teen kids.
This CD comes across as being more inflated, than anything. One friend brought the regular CD, which we decided was a better offer than the ultra-expensive candy-box - which doesn't offer much. My guess is Madonna will make her real money on a live tour album, which I think she still owes Warner. Regardless, Madonna makes a lot of money, doesn't she. Overall, this album was a let-down after the first play. We are trading in our copies since we don't want them in the house.
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