OVERVIEW The return of the queen of pop is indeed a welcome one. This album while not as strong as Ray of Light and Like a Prayer is a marked improvement on American Life (madonna's least selling album ever). Madonna has return to her rootes on this album of dance/electronica. Infact I would say it is her most club friendly release to date. Throughout the album there are no gaps between tracks to give it that clubby mix tape feel. As usual madonna co-writes all the tracks on the album with the main collaborator being stuart price. There are some great pop songs and a few turkeys in the mix.
TRACK LISTING:
HUNG UP GET TOGETHER SORRY FUTURE LOVERS I LOVE NEW YORK LET IT WILL BE FORBIDDEN LOVE JUMP HOW HIGH ISAAC PUSH LIKE IT OR NOT
The album kicks off with Hung Up which has a sample from ABBA's gimme gimme gimme (which always makes me think of galloping horses) and although some of the lyrics are infantile (ring ring ring goes the telephone) it works beautifuly, the rumbling bass mixing with the sample creating an uplifting well deserved smash hit.
Second track Get Together is a more laid back affair, better lyrically and again is bass driven with stuttering synth stabbs throughout. Get Together is definitely a grower the more I hear it the more I like it. Second single and secod no.1 Sorry is a catchy uptempo pop song tinged with a harder club edge to make it blend with the album better. Let It Will Be and Like It Or Not are more of the same though the latter of the two is more mid-tempo and is probably the only track on the album that could of fitted in on the previous album.
Future Lovers is a deeper harder electro workout with hypnotic sensual repeated vocals over a "blade runner" esq bassline. Often when modonna tries a harder or alternative angle it falls flat, not on this occasion think Donna Summers "i feel love" for 2006. Far more dissapointing is I Love New York again madonna pulls out infantile lyrics teamed with clanging annoying sound effects. A great stomping beat can't even save this track.
My favorite track on the album is the love song Forbidden Love with its lush waves of building synths and sexy simple lyrics layed over a throbbing bassline. If you liked "Paradise (not for me)" from the album "Music" your love this. Jump is a good pop/dance track complete with disco hand claps I wouldn't be surprised if this was a future single, the same can be said for the 9th track on the album How High. Back in electro mode with aggresive robot vocals (think cher's "believe" but tough) and a stomping house beat How High is a surefire hit.
Madonna is back in experimental mode for track Isaac. It has a hebrew feel throughout with chanting and twangly guitar, the jury is still out on this one I think. Finally we have Push with hip hop beats and spoken verses this can sound a bit harsh, that is until the chorus kicks in with sweeping strings and catchy sing-a-long chorus.
INLAY Unfortunately there are no song lyrics in the inlay which is always a dissapointment. As for the artwork there seems to be a dodgy leotard theme throughout. It has a great cover but there are some weird bum shots in the inlay. Very little information is included on the sleeve just the usual track listing with writers/producers etc.. and a small "special thanks" section on the back page.
PRICE £8.99 is a good price for this album. Worth every penny.
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i have this album it is a fantastic album and a great one to play loud while doing the housework. great review.lill x
newty1977 26.04.2006 00:30
Thans for the message Stephen ... very good review ... Newty :-)
n13roy 25.04.2006 00:33
Looks like the "Material Girl ".......or should that now be " Leotard Queen " has returned with a vengeance....especially with the ticket prices on the new tour.........Roy
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)
Apr 24th, 2006
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