Anyone interested in Madonna's new album?

[KarmaContestant]

Originally Posted by Christopher

Ray Of Light, the highly underrated American Life & Confessions On A Dance Floor, were the last consistently good Madonna records. Hard Candy was spotty. And I am completely underwhelmed with these 2 new songs she's released from MDNA. Her singing is off and superficial sounding, bordering on vapid. Same goes for the lyrics (blech). I'm not jumping out of my seat with much excitement or enthusiasm for her upcoming release.

I'm trying to be excited - and keep hoping that there will be something redeeming about it. But...like I said at the beginning of this thread:

Originally Posted by KarmaContestant

Madonna's career is in an interesting position right now. She's not with any major music label, and I hardly consider her Live Nation deal to be worthy of making great albums for. I totally expect Madonna to fill her contractual obligations with very little interest or oomph. After all, who does she really need to impress anymore? She's an icon, a superstar in the greatest sense of the word. There is no need for hit singles, no need for platinum selling albums, no need for cool videos. There is, simply, no need to impress anyone. She's really done it all, and with the success of her tours the need for new music isn't really there. I really don't think she even cares anymore.

[HejiraNYC]

Originally Posted by KarmaContestant

I'm trying to be excited - and keep hoping that there will be something redeeming about it. But...like I said at the beginning of this thread:

Is it me... or did Madonna kind of phone in her last two albums? Like her or hate her, you could usually count on her to do something new or inventive with each album. And after writing serious, introspective songs for much of the late 1990s - early aughts, it just seems like she kind of gave up being a serious artist after American Life. Every album after that has just become more disposable and vapid lyrically- almost as if she just goes through the motions just to make catchy pop songs that will help to sustain her record-breaking chart run. Emotionally/intellectually, she's long since checked out. I just can't reconcile this newest song (which sounds like something Kylie Minogue passed on), with its incredibly banal lyrics about clubbing and dancing, with this divorced, spiritually evolved middle-aged mother of four living in a double-wide beaux art mansion on the Upper East Side. I'm not saying that Madonna has to become a stuffy old crone; but is it asking too much to expect an artist to demonstrate a little forward motion after a thirty-year career?

[KarmaContestant]

Originally Posted by HejiraNYC

Is it me... or did Madonna kind of phone in her last two albums? Like her or hate her, you could usually count on her to do something new or inventive with each album. And after writing serious, introspective songs for much of the late 1990s - early aughts, it just seems like she kind of gave up being a serious artist after American Life. Every album after that has just become more disposable and vapid lyrically- almost as if she just goes through the motions just to make catchy pop songs that will help to sustain her record-breaking chart run. Emotionally/intellectually, she's long since checked out. I just can't reconcile this newest song (which sounds like something Kylie Minogue passed on), with its incredibly banal lyrics about clubbing and dancing, with this divorced, spiritually evolved middle-aged mother of four living in a double-wide beaux art mansion on the Upper East Side. I'm not saying that Madonna has to become a stuffy old crone; but is it asking too much to expect an artist to demonstrate a little forward motion after a thirty-year career?

I would agree with you about Hard Candy, but not Confessions. Hard Candy -did- have some stellar moments, thoguh - Voices, Devil Wouldn't Recognize You - these to me are classic Madonna tracks, on par with her best work. I also really enjoy Beat Goes On, Give It To Me and Miles Away, but the rest of the album I dont have much love for.

Confessions on the other hand...one of her best, for me.

But ultimately, I do think she's uninspired at the moment. I had hoped that her divorce from Guy would give her some fodder for great songwriting, but it seems she's determined to avoid being genuine. Then again, with only two leaks it's hard to judge an entire album, and maybe there are stellar tracks being saved for the actual release to surprise us all. It's like basing an opinion of the entire Ray of Light album off of Mer Girl and Little Star.

One more thing - I noticed recently when she was on Jay Leno....she's nervous, and seems a bit unsure of herself. Perhaps even a bit...broken? It was a radical departure from the Madonna of the early-to-mid 90's who would say anything and do what she pleased.

[PolishStevieFan]

The cool reception of her new material might stem from a fact that it is no longer original just like it used to be. Probably she's lost interest in being cutting edge artist that offers her fans something more than just few commercially sounding singles. She tries too hard to be relevant in the realm of young Pop market, which of course doesn't work because it's high time for another, "adult" chapter in her career. I really thought that she would come up with more rocking album but it seems that all we'll get is just a group of Rihanna and Lady GaGa's left overs. That is why I love so much Stevie's recent album. "In Your Dreams" doesn't pretend to be anything that Stevie is not.

[KarmaContestant]

The initial reviews on Amazon look good. I was worried, admittedly....

http://www.amazon.com/MDNA-Madonna/dp/B00756GKBA

I listened to the whole thing yesterday while cleaning (digital download), and I have to say - I liked most of what I heard. There were some definite throw-backs to classic Madonna; or rather I should say classic Madonna song-writing. A few of the songs took me back to her Erotica material., but of course with a very 2012 sonic attitude.

Oh and thank God - I can honestly say this album is hip-hop free.

Anyone else had the chance to hear the album? I'd say give it a full spin - maybe two or three before you declare (once again) that Madonna's career is over.

[wild-heart]

I am in love with this album. July needs to hurry up!!!!

[KarmaContestant]

Originally Posted by wild-heart

I am in love with this album. July needs to hurry up!!!!

No UK release until July?

[MacMan]

I think it's a very good album... Cool sounds... Some lyrics are meh... but i'm a sound guy, I can get over cheezy lyrics if the music is good and I like all of it. A few of the delux tracks which one usually assumes are non-album worthy - are totally worthy.. I F'd up and Beautiful Killer as two examples... Good album! I think Gang Bang is a pretty cool song...

[Macfanforever]

Is Madonna's new songs from her new cd getting radio airplay .Or they put their nose up at it and frisbee'd it into the round file like they did with IYD.

[iamnotafraid]

Originally Posted by KarmaContestant

After all, who does Madonna really need to impress anymore? There is no need for hit singles, no need for platinum selling albums, no need for cool videos. There is, simply, no need to impress anyone. She's really done it all. I really don't think she even cares anymore.

If that is how she feels she should just go away.

It would be nice if for once in her life she'd just
concentrate on her voice. Impress us with great
songs and vocals to match. That is, if she can.

Her controversial side is a bit played now.

[PolishStevieFan]

I've listened to her new album and must say that...it's one of her worst Too much noise and too little music.

[wild-heart]

Originally Posted by KarmaContestant

No UK release until July?

No we have the album now, I see her live in July. sorry should've made that clearer.

[mylittledemon]

Originally Posted by iamnotafraid

It would be nice if for once in her life she'd just
concentrate on her voice. Impress us with great
songs and vocals to match. That is, if she can.

Yeah... I am pretty much with you on that one. I thought she was going really somewhere kinda cool with Music, and then American Life (she was playing the guitar at one point!), but the whole thing just turned limp for me with her last 2-3 albums.

[wild-heart]

I've just brought more tickets to see her live in my hometown!!! She never ever does Birmingham either so I am so happy right now. It was a bit of a struggle on ticketmaster though which is annoying. But YAY, July is going to be amazing.

[David]

Originally Posted by PolishStevieFan

That is why I love so much Stevie's recent album. "In Your Dreams" doesn't pretend to be anything that Stevie is not.

Except that the title song pretends to be a Heartbreakers rocker, circa "You're Gonna Get It."