The 14th of November 2005 saw the release of Madonna's tenth studio album "Confessions On A Dancefloor," released hot on the heels of the first single "Hung Up" which this week enjoys a second week at the top of the UK singles charts it was hardly surprising that this album would hit the shops in anything less than a blaze of publicity.
For an artist who has sold 150 million albums and 75 million singles worldwide over the last 20 years it may be surprising to some of you to learn that her last studio album "American Life" released in 2003 was seen by many critics to be the start of a decline in her popularity. It is true that "American Life" sold only 5 million copies worldwide and when compared with some of her other albums like "True Blue" (19 million) and "The Immaculate Collection" (23 million) this may be considered by Madonna's standard a bit of a poor seller but surely 5 million sales can hardly be called a flop can it?
So with the release of long awaited new material the pressure was on Madonna to deliver the goods in her latest offering, "Confessions On A Dancefloor" and in true style COAD sees Madonna
doing what she does best. That is re-inventing herself for the umpteenth time and taking a risk beyond anything that almost any other artist of such stature would ever contemplate.
THE INSPIRATION
COAD sees Madonna returning back to her roots. Never one to shy away from controversy, on this album she revisits the places that influenced and inspired her in the years before she found fame and become a musical phenomenal.
Close your eyes and imagine if you can that the year is 1980 and the location is a New York Gay Bar. The hi- energy music is pumping out of the speakers and the glitter from the mirrorballs spinning across the ceiling are reflecting the disco lights across the dancefloor to the sounds of Abba and Donna Summer.....
THE MUSIC
COAD contains 12 tracks written by Madonna and produced by Stuart Price, the result is something that hits you straight in the gut like a disco inferno. Each track blends straight into the next one with no pause for breath or gap between it and the beats fade in and out like they are pulsating to the rhythms of a kaleidoscope.
The first single from the album "Hung Up" demonstrates that that at 47 Madonna is still not afraid to take chances. This is a typical song from the album but is far from its strongest track. This album has been produced to perfection and at times with the way that one track metamorphoses into the next one you could quite easily be fooled into thinking that this is a remix album for a DJ set, each of the tracks has been designed to be played at maximum volume. This is an album about dancing and generally having a bloody good time on the dancefloor. It is about enjoying yourself and pushing your body to its limits.
At times there are almost psychedelic moments like on "Future Lovers" which samples Donna Summer's "I Feel Love" or the beautiful whirling "Push" where one or two lines of the lyric are repeated over and over again as the music fades in and out and believe me this really gets right inside your head. These songs may not be made for the top 40 but this is the stuff that dancefloors were designed for.
There are more commercial moments on this album too like "Sorry," rumoured to be the next single and if it is then this would be an excellent choice as it has an infectious chorus which makes it incredibly airplay friendly in the same way that "Hung Up" succeeds.
One of my favourite tracks is "I Love New York," which sees Madonna going tongue in cheek lyrically. On this track the newly acquired English Country House accent has gone, replaced instead with an American voice that I found quite reminiscent of Debbie Harry on an early Blondie track. There are other commercially viable moments too like on the oddly titled "Let It Will Be" and "Jump."
I had to listen to this album 2 or 3 times before some of these individual tracks began to stand out and the fact that each track runs straight into the next one is a strange concept but it works.
THE TRACKLISTING
The 12 tracks on this album which blend into almost 60 minutes of continuous music are as below:
1. Hung Up 2. Get Together 3. Sorry 4. Future Lovers 5. I Love New York 6. Let It Will Be 7. Forbidden Love 8. Jump 9. How High 10. Isaac 11. Push 12. Like It Or Not
CD COVER & DESIGN
The picture on the outer cover of the CD bears a photo of Madonna with long flowing ginger hair, she is knelt on a stage with her back to the camera and her head is tipped backwards as she looks up to the lights above the stage, but just in case this isn't enough inside there is a booklet which features more photos from this same photo set.
Below this image on the front of the CD the word "Madonna" is written across the bottom of the photo in large capital pink letters with the "O" replaced by a silver mirrorball, and below this it says in fancy white letters "Confessions On A Dancefloor."
The reverse of the CD has the track listing and yet another picture from the same photo shoot....Wow.....
THE CONCLUSION
On this album Madonna triumphs like she has never done before. I have always liked Madonna but I will be the first to admit that not everything that she has done within her career has worked. On COAD she re-invents herself as the true Queen of Pop and gives the two finger salute to her critics who were so quick to try and write her off.
Enjoy!
Thank you for reading.
How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
This album is wicked!! Ive always liked mads music but this is really funky and cool. My favourite song is hung up. You have written a great review, keep up the good work!
fabfrog5 08.01.2006 17:52
excellent review! another great album from her madge! great stuff! :) x
Advantages: Its Madonna back to her Dance Floor Best Disadvantages: The fact they all mix into each other is good for getting ready to go out, but not when on shuffle!
Advantages: Great to listen to before you go out or just have on in the background. Disadvantages: Lyrics ('I like New York...Other places make me feel like a dork)
Advantages: Its Madonna back to her Dance Floor Best Disadvantages: The fact they all mix into each other is good for getting ready to go out, but not when on shuffle!
Advantages: Great to listen to before you go out or just have on in the background. Disadvantages: Lyrics ('I like New York...Other places make me feel like a dork)
Nov 22nd, 2005
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