Madonna - Confessions on a Dance Floor
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Free Music Notes for Confessions on a Dance Floor
Free Music Review: OmenBoy's COAD Review
Hit: 5 Stars
"The image that I had was...dancing...freely, like a wild woman, holding no secrets" explains Madonna, while being translated during one of many television appearances promoting Confessions On A Dancefloor. The quote appears to be the best reasoning for the new, "all dance" concoction, among mis-representations that Madonna has returned to her roots. I'm sure Madonna has incorporated some of the fun bubblegum styling's of her first, self-titled album, but "Confessions" is no revisitation. I would even consider the album a blending of her last three albums, just a bit more up-tempo. Since track-by-track analyzing yields the most info and enjoyment out of fans and potential buyers, that's what's happening next.
Ok...there's no doubt "Hung Up" has become one of Madonna's most popular global hits. It's an extremely commercial pop song, and I'm sure because I cringe when my new online buddy claims to be a fan of Madonna on account of this song, what a Madonna virgin. Ofcourse "Hung Up" milks the hard earned Abba sample, but the simple - yet funky lyrics and music otherwise has me sold. Personally, the music video was a major disappointment - my jaw dropped when I saw it for the first time. I soon realized that the video must have been trying to showcase Madonna's yoga & pilates body as well as a celebration of dancing by herself, as well as the dancers - in that it doesn't fail. Just as a side note...I thought that the second part of verse two could have been a verse of it's own (I can't keep on waiting for you...), but it sounds ok.
Now for the song that I don't know what do to with...worshipped it at first, but lately I avoid it as much as possible. It's "Get Together", probably the greatest summation of what "Confessions" is all about. With the irresistible, "Down, down, down in your heart - find, find, find the secret", it's dance-worthy and more importantly, single-worthy. The music video for this number is mildly enjoyable - an animated background featuring a "real" matching colorized Madonna & some of her dancers. The technology used to put her in there is fascinating alone.
To conclude the heavily commercial opening, there's "Sorry" the incredibly catchy second single. The genius repetition of "I heard it all before" is a tactic previously used in Hung Up's "Time goes by...so slowly". Madonna also recites the word "sorry" in a handful of languages in the beginning and again before the climax. This song is also supported by a video - a continuation of "Hung Up", equally cool with some awesome dancing toward the end.
The fourth song, "Future Lovers" is the true opening to Confessions On A Dancefloor, a great choice to open the "Confessions Tour" as well. Madonna speaks for a while in the beginning "about love", welcoming and persuading the listener. If you accept her advances and continue listening, you're in for a sonic journey. Oddly, this track's lyrics are of the same heavenly, ethereal class as Ray Of Light. "Future Lovers" calls for booming sound equipment, this song will convince alot of people to get a new set of speakers - just watch.
"Other places...make me feel like a dork", simple, a bit juvenile - but to the point. In "I Love New York", Madonna addresses a few famous cities in contrast to the place where her career began. She has expressed that the song is not as literal as the words imply, but the song does boast the "unapologetic" elements as it was marketed to have. My first thought was that this is Ray Of Light (song) II, with it's feel good quality - achieved through the guitar and simple electronic sounds.
Madonna may be trying to redeem herself, but didn't completely leave the world weary themes of "American Life" behind. "Let It Will Be" is one of the more gritty, real songs from "Confessions". The title confuses me a bit, and I do have my own interpretation of why the phrase is "let it will be", but I won't get into that. Fresh from the philosophy-ready Madonna of "I'm Going To Tell You A Secret", she sings, "Now I can tell you about success, about fame - about the rise and the fall, of all the starts in the sky" She must really believe she has the codes to the universe. The songs gem is Madonna's breathy delivery of the chorus, although "Let It Will Be" is in it's full glory in the remixed live version...you have to see for yourself.
Available as an R&B-ish song on "Bedtime Stories", "Confessions" brings us the new "Forbidden Love". I love the filtering of the voice and the background here, although the beginning sounds like a dying animal...wow. The electronic chiming chorus is irresistible - probably the slowest track on the album, but enjoyable by any dance fan. It's basically a love story, naming a few things that confirm that a couple should pursue a relationship. It is sort of hypocritical though, when the chanting "Forbidden Love" is unleashed. If you listen carefully, there is a countdown...could it be Madonna? You tell me.
Many fans consider "Jump" as a possible single, with reports that "Get Together" is the final single release from "Confessions", we will have to wait and see. "Jump" is just classic Madonna. A classic pop song, classic pop theme. One of those inspirational "follow your dreams" kind of songs. "Are you ready to jump? Get ready to jump, don't ever look back - oh baby - yes, I'm ready to jump - just take my hand. Get ready to, are you ready?" Perfect. It's single ready, can't wait.
Again considering the fans, they seem to like "How High". I think it's a filler track for sure. The vocals remind me so much of Britney Spears. I'm not a fan of the chorus, although the monster-like voice filtering is pretty cool. "It's funny, I spent my whole life wanting to be talked about" is one of the better lines. I like the alarm and cymbal sound effects, "How High" is like a sequel to "Let It Will Be".
The middle-eastern chants in "Isaac" during the chorus especially are very pleasant to listen to and quite catchy. Nice spooky intro here, overall it's a dark sounding track - very enjoyable. It has the "Mmmm" humming of "Frozen" and some haunting lyrics. The climaxes are quite nice toward the end, with Madonna's buddy speaking some religious imagery toward the end. Very good Madonna track...could have worked for a few past albums - showing that she hasn't lost her style in this new dance album.
"Push" was one of my favorite tracks from the beginning. You can either love or hate this song...there's no in between. "You push me" is quite repetitive, and there isn't much vocal ability apparent in the verses, but the track is quite funky! "Push" is probably dedicated to her husband and others who've influenced her in a positive way. It's a dedication to those who've pushed buttons and caused a change for the better.
"Confessions" gets really unapologetic with it's slightly-dark, visual "Like It Or Not". The title says it all. "I'll be the garden, you'll be the snake - all of my fruit is yours to take. Better the devil that you know, your love for me will grow - because..."...very good lyrically. It's a song that portrays Madonna's attitude flawlessly. I don't know about you, but I love her...and it's good to hear that she's "never gonna stop - no, no". Ironic ending, too. It's a dance album, but abruptly ends with an acoustic guitar - again, genius.
As for the limited edition bonus track, "Fighting Spirit", it's a song that I wish was included as the last track of "American Life". The laser like sound effects from the song "American Life" are found here as well. It's good lyrically, pattern-like as seen in "Push". Excellent track, but not a good addition to "Confessions" - especially at the end.
If you belong to the Icon fan club...or obtained it by other means (hehe)..."Super Pop" has been made available to you. It's a very groovy song, naming a few of Madonna's favorites with emotions, cars, songs, and more. It's sort of tongue-in-cheek and has a good dose of attitude. I, myself, don't like the vocals very much, and the chorus is a good slogan - but not that good. "If you want to reach the top...if you do you'll never stop"...I'm glad it wasn't on "Confessions", that's all.
So there's the music of it all...
If you picked up the CD, you get an average booklet of photos - but as a fan, you've probably seen most of the photo shoot. The booklet features some lyrics from "Confessions", which really don't match with the overall theme of a dance album, but it's a nice idea. The back cover has Madonna's leg in conjunction with a disco ball, which I don't really like...but it's a cool design. When you open the CD box, the CD resembles a disco ball ofcourse...and you find Madonna posing looking down when you lift the CD out. The back of the booklet has the song list.
The limited edition is a truly better, if you can spare over twice the price if the CD. The "book" that's included makes 100% sense with the theme of dance, and "Confessions" all together. It's set up with black pages with text on the left and pictures of Madonna on the right, accept for some two page spreads. I like how in the beginning you get the full picture that was used for the CD cover, without the Madonna logo and writing. The journal is cute, it is completely un-lined white pages with some notes from Madonna - which are just lyrics from "Like It Or Not" fused with some cute cartoon illustrations.
The design of the artwork is almost frustrating. Simply because the round "disco" pattern is oddly colored and sometimes over-used. I mean, the color scheme is brown with pink and purple...I wish those shapes were colored saturated pink and blue...something like that. Madonna's new body is definitely in the fore-front in the photos, one could even recruit the CD booklet or limited edition book as a pamphlet on stretching and yoga positions.
And finally...
"Confessions On A Dancefloor" has the element of celebration. It did not impress me, I don't think it impressed alot of Madonna's listeners. It is a great return to some mainstream attention - which is great. I think that Madonna's legendary image and persona might shadow average effort, that may have happened here - although it's a good record. Just think about it. If this was a new artists debut album would you be impressed? I would definitely be. But the thing is, this is not a big step up for Madonna.
Good album, good look, good attention...point blank.
5 stars/5
Free Music Review: what the world press is saying and it's looking good
Hit: 5 Stars
The Sun
New album is Madge-ic
9.5 out of 10 (average)
NME (UK)
"Confessions..." is a monster, no ballads, no gaps between songs, just one relentless, thumping assault on the senses
9 out of 10
BILLBOARD Magazine
"Confessions" is a welcome return to form for the Queen of Pop.
9 out of 10
IGN.com
The patron saint of pop stars pays homage to her influences - and herself - with a spectacular set of dancefloor anthems
8.2 out of 10
MSN
They'll be playing it in gay clubs for years
7 out of 10
LAUNCH UK a.k.a. DOTMUSIC
"Confessions On A Dancefloor" is simultaneously stylish, fun, hip and camp; all things a Madonna record should be.
7 out of 10
FOX NEWS
Head for a nightclub. It's just good fun.
A-
E! Online
The singer returns with the joyful "I Love the '80s"-style disc fans have been yearning for
A-
DALLAS MORNING NEWS
Madonna gets into the groove and proves she can still pack a dance floor.
B
FORT WORTH STAR TELEGRAM
The songs are stylish and sexy, with hauntingly erotic choruses, repeated phrases and gently thumping pulses
B
ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY
She hasn't made an album this consistently beat-driven since 1992's Erotica
B+
GROOVEVOLT.com
Confessions on a Dance Floor manages to transition successfully the underground sound to the mainstream
B+
CLEVELAND PLAIN DEALER
At 47, she's out to prove she still can get into the groove. She largely succeeds, too.
B+
THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
This is another winner to include in her post-"Erotica" run, and her most sheerly enjoyable album in a long time.
B+
THESOP.org (The Student Operated Press)
Confessions on a Dance floor is, simply put, delightful. It is a sigh of relief and a breath of fresh air in a time when great artists of the past, have slowly become a thing of the past.
5 Stars (out of 5)
BOYZ magazine (UK)
5 Stars (out of 5)
DAILY MAIL (UK)
It's a non-stop, rhythm-driven tour de force that ranks alongside anything she made in her chart-conquering heyday.
5 Stars (out of 5)
HEAT Magazine (UK)
This is one big, fantastically sparkly party album that will have everyone shimmying around in their snazziest outfit from the moment someone press the play button.
5 Stars (out of 5)
GIGWISE.com (UK)
`Confessions...' is a magnificent kick to the nether regions of modern dance music
4.5 Stars (out of 5)
Toronto EYE WEEKLY
Confessions on a Dance Floor is a dizzily dense, breathless set of subsonic psychedelia
4 Stars (out of 4)
THE ELECTRIC NEW PAPER (Singapore)
When I heard Confessions On A Dance Floor for the first time, I got a strong sense of deja vu...I had goosebumps and a shot of nervous energy
4 Stars (out of 4)
ROLLING STONE
This is an album designed for maximum volume. It's all motion, action, speed.
3.5 Stars (out of 4)
MOJO magazine
Her Madgesty's career saving eleventh album proves it's never too late to get back into the groove
4 Stars (out of 5)
Q MAGAZINE
Confessions... is her strongest album since Ray of Light
4 Stars (out of 5)
HERALD SUN
Confessions on a Dance Floor is her most dancetastic album since her 1983
4 Stars (out of 5)
SLANT MAGAZINE
Madonna has succeeded at creating a dance-pop odyssey with an emotional, if not necessarily narrative, arc.
4 Stars (out of 5)
The Guardian
Dancing queens of every variety should be delighted.
4 Stars (out of 5)
UNCUT Magazine
The turbo-charged Confessions On A Dancefloor, thrusts Madge back where she's most comfortable, burning up disco heat beneath the mirrorball.
4 Stars (out of 5)
ABOUT.com
Confessions On a Dancefloor is a solid achievement and well worth hearing
4 Stars (out of 5)
TORONTO SUN
The diva has finally, fully returned to her '80s electronic-dance-pop roots
4 Stars (out of 5)
MEGASTAR (UK)
Confessions On A Dancefloor is absolute pop perfection, taking the listener on a journey of highs and lows while engulfing them into a camp disco inferno
4 Stars (out of 5)
ALL MUSIC GUIDE (allmusic.com)
This is shimmering music falling just short of sexy, yet it's alluring enough on the surface to make for a perfect soundtrack for pitch-black nights
3.5 Stars (out of 5)
EDMONTON SUN (Canada)
MADONNA'S NEW DANCE ALBUM SHOWS BOTH DEPTH AND SILLY RHYMES
3.5 Stars (out of 5)
WINNIPEG SUN
There's no denying Confessions is The Material Mom's grooviest set in nearly a decade
3.5 Stars (out of 5)
METRO TORONTO
Madonna spares no expense in simulating a club experience
3.5 Stars (out of 5)
PLAYLOUDER
There can be little doubt that most of this will soundtrack most of the next year for a heftily going-out section of the country in a manner rather more satisfying than initial impressions might indicate
3.5 Stars (out of 5)
THE DES MOINES REGISTER
Madonna ... rules supreme as the grand dame dance-pop diva
3.5 Stars (out of 5)
PEOPLE Magazine
Madonna justifies our love once again
3.5 Stars (out of 4)
BOSTON HERALD
This is the workout disc of the year.
3.5 Stars (out of 4)
USA TODAY
The music is passed off as "future disco," but it really is a vibrant flashback spiked with the contemporary precision-tooled wizardry
3.5 Stars (out of 4)
Globe and Mail (Canada)
This is a club record from start to finish
3 Stars (out of 5)
DAILY MIRROR (UK)
This is Madonna's get down and party album
3 Stars (out of 5)
LOS ANGELES TIMES
"Confessions on a Dance Floor" (due in stores Tuesday) is disco with a vengeance, a whomping, unapologetically airheaded engine of stroboscopic beats and succulent textures that exhumes dance music's time-honored values of celebration and affirmation.
3 Stars (out of 4)
New York Post
Funky, pure, and powerful
3 Stars (out of 4)
PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER
Confessions puts on its boogie shoes and never lets up
2.5 Stars (out of 4)
CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
"Confessions on a Dance Floor" is a fun ride, zipping by with a guilty pleasure sugar rush of hummable hooks and husky-voiced cooing
2.5 Stars (out of 4)
AMAZON.com
Sweaty, head-spinningly good dance music
ARKANSAS TRAVELER (University of Arkansas)
The album, overall, is cohesive and fluid - seamlessly integrating each style into the future disco collective.
ATTITUDE Magazine (UK)
Confessions is a beast of a dance album
BBC
This is the most commercial album Madonna has made in 15 years and it's magic.
BLOOMBERG.com
She leaves you exhausted in the acoustic finale
BOSTON GLOBE
Decadent and remote, pulsing with excellent technology
CHART ATTACK (Canada)
Madge embraces her pop past and looks to the future of disco to create 12 addictive, energetic dance tracks that don't let you stop to catch your breath
CHICAGO TRIBUNE
The fans will be out on the dance floor, begging the deejay to pump up the volume.
CLOSER magazine (UK)
This is the must-have album of 2005!
DAILY EXPRESS (UK)
This is a thumping dance record that doesn't let up the pace from the first moment until the last.
Daily Mail (UK)
Madonna has delivered a classic club record
DETROIT FREE PRESS
Everything about "Confessions" says BIG BIG BIG!
DOSE (Canada)
In moving backward, Madonna still manages to face forward.
Gay Times (UK)
Madge is reclaiming the dancefloor as her own
HARTFORD COURANT
The record throbs with a dark, sweaty and slightly euphoric rhythm that pounds through your body like a sonic jackhammer
MONTREAL GAZETTE
It's an easy, fun listen that captures house music's ability to be both festive and introspective. Party on.
MUSIC WEEK (UK)
Madonna delivers her best album since Ray Of Light
NEW YORK DAILY NEWS
Madonna delivers such beat-crazed bliss, we can forgive her (almost) anything.
RICHMOND TIMES DISPATCH
A relentless sonic whir that, just when you're being lulled by its monotonous beat, explodes with an arena-ready chorus.
TALON MARKS (Cerritos College)
Energetic, fun filled CD...just pure 70s inspired music brought into the 21st century
THE BADGER HERALD (The University of Wisconsin-Madison)
Listeners will definitely get the urge to get up and dance to the tracks on this CD
THE DAILY CARDINAL (University of Wisconsin)
Glorious head rush of dance club pop that will make any young thing keep dancing long into the night.
THE FLAT HAT (The College of William & Mary)
Madonna has assembled possibly her greatest album yet.
THE NEW YORK TIMES
Thoroughly Modern Madonna Gets Retro
THE OBSERVER (UK)
Confessions is a solid success.
The Tartan (Radford University)
Madonna has once again shown that she can keep pushing the limit for what a pop artist can do
The Times London
On Confessions on a Dance Floor the whoosh! factor is high
TIME MAGAZINE
Confessions on a Dance Floor is 56 minutes of energetic moments. It will leave you feeling silly for all the right reasons.
Times London
The album that will restore Madonna to the top ten
WASHINGTON D.C. METRO WEEKLY
The music is just so fantastic
WASHINGTON POST
Madonna's best album at least since 1998's "Ray of Light" -- and possibly since 1989's "Like a Prayer."
WASHINGTON TIMES
It's a return to the booty-shaking form that helped her morph from her bubble-gum daze of the late 1980s into the ever-changing diva we continue to see.
Free Music Review: Hi Mark Twain....this is alex!
Hit: 5 Stars
I'm Alex, and I immediately thought that my review would have caused some trouble with someone, but in real life I'm one of the kindest (but opinionated!) person out there and I'm willing to discuss, I'm glad that someone answered my review! It was my first! One thing was clear, I have maybe did some mistakes with the english, but maybe you have some problem with the reading, and that's worst, because english, ehm, sorry, american is your language, eheh! I tell you this because (incredible!) I like Mariah Carey, and that was clearly written in my review, because I said that I have all of her albums, including emancipation...I don't often buy original albums of artists that I don't like...you do? I wouldn't be surprised, anyway, I'll try to explain myself better, sorry again 4 my english. I like Mariah, I love Dreamlover, Hero, Vision of love, someday, never forget you, fantasy, when I saw you, close my eyes, breakdown, it's like that, and many many others, believe me. I was one of the fiew that bought music box in 1993, when in Europe the boom of that album was in 1994, so....don't put words up in my mouth, I'm not a mariah hater. My review (my first!) was an answer to other persons that wrote orrible review to Madonna only because they are unsicure about the status of their Idol, Carey. That thing made me laugh, and I'm still laughing, because people (like you) that don't want to admit the truth are funny! Maybe you didn't get it, even if Mariah sell 2 billion copies of her albums she will never get the status of Elvis, The Beatles, U2, The Rolling Stones, Michael jackson and yes, Madonna. The only female artist who can be put there, no other, I'm sorry if that hurts you, but it's the truth, and I'm not telling it, it's history, I said this before. Mariah Carey, could notch 45 no.1 singles in the US, surpassing Elvis and The Beatles. will it make her the BIGGEST ARTIST EVER IN THE US? Here's the answer: ahahahahahah! The acts that I wrote above are global phenomenons, social phenomenoms that go BEYOND the music they make....do you understand? U2, Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath, Madonna, Elvis came before others....it's not only music, someone creates a new style of music (black sabbath), someone pavement the way for those who followed (michael jackson and madonna). Madonna is not a great singer, is not an actress, is not a writer, is not a dancer, but somehow she is the biggest selling artist of all time, has a best selling book (sex) and a Golden Globe. And her success is more than 20 year old...How is it possible? Does she slept with everybody? 4 20 years? I know she's great even now at 47, but...You can't explain the Madonna phenomenon. She's unique, there's no other like her, and I'm not talking for me, it'a question of reaction. I'm sorry 4 you and billboard, but mariah carey is not the biggest selling female artist in the us, streisand is, and is not nowhere near the biggest selling artist of all time, face the truth, don't fear it. Mariah Carey sold more than 275 million discs? Madonna did it. Mariah carey is Sure above 200 million, but absolutely not over 250, so....the question is closed (even in the selling matter, eheh! Mariah Carey, Whitney Houston, Celine Dion.....are great singers....Madonna is the Queen of pop for a reason, honey, not because I want that. Imagine if tomorrow Mariah carey is introduced as the queen of pop, people will die laughing! eheh! But not because she's stupid, simply because it's not credible, period. And I mean, she's not globally credible. Did you ever ask yourself why Michael jackson is still now untitled the king of pop? When you'll find the answer to this question you will understand all I've said before. Mariah carey is a gifted singer, an absolutely mediocre writer (all of her songs are about love, ALL!), and more simply, she is singing the same song since 1990. She is using the same formula since 1995 (her and rappers). If you are a die-hard fan this will hurts: this is not enough to be the queen of pop. Eheh! mariah carey brought nothing (NOTHING!) new on the music scene, there was whitney before. Even Mariah's label will never call her the queen of pop, because they know that Madonna is called like that, the didn't even try! Can I ask you something? Why? Why the label never promote Mariah as the queen of pop? In the end (it's true) Mariah is a bigger seller in the us than Madonna...why so can't they called like that? There's no copyright on that title! eheh! It's simply that it can't be assigned so easily when the reigning queen is still alive and no. 1 in 32 countries....this title must be sustained!! eheh! It's incredible, you asked in your review to stop fight and at the same time you were the first to fight, with me, that i like mariah, in the end. I dont' want to talk about the lyrics of madonna, because you brought me I love New York as example, a funny song that only wants to communicate joy and wants to make people dance....it's evident that you never read a text of Madonna, so I'm not gonna waste my time talkin with you about that, read it some songs by yourself: oh father, like a prayer, the power of goodbye, frozen, survival, mother and father, intervention, nothing fails, nobody knows me, rain, why's it's so hard, in this life, secret, ray of light, gone.....enjoy it! eheh!
The last thing.....ready? BUSH! What a bad word....So, you told me that I can't criticise because I'm not American, and I ask you...WHY? US can throw bombs anywhere in the world and the world must rest in silence?AHAHAHAHAHAHAH! here is my answer! I don't always stay at my house listening to Madonna or Mariah, you know? i look at the newspapers, i watch tv and I see what happens in the world, and if you (USA) want the world to think that suddam hussein is a killer than don't trash who thinks that Bush is a murderer too. Suddam Hussein kills because he can't stand his own people, Bush kills because wants the oil....can you tell me who's the worst? Sure there was one better than the two: Kerry, but you lost your chance, you vote WAR!! OIL!!! COME ON!!. And your soldiers, our soldiers die 4 nothing! NOTHING!Unfortunately Italy is in it too, because Berlusconi, our prime minister, is Bush's dog, but I'm not. I'm opinionated. I'm a free guy with my own thoughts. I didn't want to offend the entire american people, only the ones that voted bush! eheh! And for the racism...well, we'll talk about it when USA will have a black president, ok? 1776-2005....all white...and I'm white! There's no official reason about that, but I've just told u one. Remember, not so long ago, when black people couldn't enter pubs, bus....It wasn't 200 years ago! It was 50, 60 years ago....and now it's all happyness? I hardly believe it (even if I don't leave there), watch what happened to New orleans.....however, I was having fun when i was talking about music with you, now, talking about war and death makes me sad, so stop.
Anyway, it was great (at least 4 me!) talk about the queen of pop and the others (eheh!), and it's always funny to read all madonna bashers talking about how great are mariah carey's achievements in the us and never read about rest of the world achievements (maybe because there aren't boombastic achievements outside us right? It's strange, nobady said that! eheh! And, please Mark, think globally....don't think about US only....in that sense you will see that Mariah is a big singer, but...yes....NOWHERE NEAR MADONNA. I meant that. You answered "but Mariah has outlsold madonna".....but when? I remind you that before emancipation there was charmbracelet even before there was glitter and rainbow. Before Confessions (no. 1 in 32 countries) there was ameican life (no.1 in 24 countries, yes that was a flop) e even before there were Music and Ray of light. All this titles (excluding American Life, which was a bad seller FOR MADONNA STANDARD) were GLOBAL BEST SELLERS. Who outsold who? I understand that u like Mariah (and even madonna, I know!), but (and I'm telling you with a smile on my face) just relax: Mariah has a long long way to go to get that kind of status, and I tell you that she will never arrive, not because she's not talented, but because there are singers and bands, there are big singers and big bands, there are incredibly succesfull singers and bands and then there are the legends, period. Get it?. Now I go to bed because I went to a pub and I'm very tired! it was fun (at least 4 me!) even this time, I hope I didn't offend u (too much, eheh!). Bye, alex
Bye Alex
Free Music Review: PERFECT!
Hit: 5 Stars
Gdula reports on music regularly for [...]
Madonna's new CD drops this week and it feels like old times. In fact, there's such a palpable vibe that the release of Confessions on a Dance Floor has all the festive energy of an event. It feels familiar and celebratory. It feels like-go ahead and gag now because you knew this was coming-a holiday, albeit one we haven't observed in a long time.
In the beginning, back in the 1980s and even the early 1990s, the release of a new Madonna video or single was akin to a national holiday, at least among her gay fans. The devotion, the urgency, and the fervor with which we rushed to buy her music, set the VCRs to record her every appearance, and raced to the newsstand to pour over the Vogue and Vanity Fair spreads became nearly ritualistic. Whether documented by Herb Ritts or Steven Meisel, we anticipated each new incarnation of our Madonna like pilgrims waiting for a vision.
We couldn't get enough. We had it bad for the Material Girl-and she gave it to us good.
When she enjoined, "Everybody, come on, dance and sing," we got up and did our thing. When she coaxed us to "Live out your fantasies here with me," we let the music set us free, and we partied with abandon. When she admonished us, "Don't go for second best," we put our lovers to the test and stood our ground.
Madonna was a new kind of heroine for the diva-adoring gay masses. The tone of the torch songs that characterized the pre-disco era was long on suffering, short on self-worth. Madonna gave us a new kind of anthem, one in which we no longer had to be held hostage emotionally by anyone who spurned our advances. She went beyond telling us that we would we survive; she told us we could do so without compromising ourselves or our desires. The "respect/ express yourself" message in Madonna's lyrics, when teamed with her own unabashed sexuality and walloping down beats, was the new kind of kick we'd been looking for.
We were smitten, and Madonna justified our love for her by always lifting us out of the realm of the day-to-day. Her music could transform an ordinary minute into an immortal club moment, complete with a shimmering disco ball and dizzying flecks of light. Madonna's dance tracks offered a necessary escape that was nearly transcendental during an era when our community was seeing more than its share of heartbreak and horror.
Off the dance floor, she was just as supportive, becoming an outspoken AIDS activist and promoting education and compassion over ignorance and intolerance. At a time when other artists tried to distance themselves from the very audience that helped their stars to rise, Madonna only turned the light back on her gay fans and made it burn all the brighter. After "Vogue"-and its obvious debt to to the gay drag artists depicted in Jennie Livingston's documentary, Paris Is Burning-some critics would say her sidling up to the gay community had always been in her best interest.
But the relationship between Madonna and her gay fans over the years was one of mutual adoration at best, symbiosis at worst. We understood the impulses that led to some of her less-than-stellar moments and we looked the other way. She had Dennis Rodman. We had Rod and Bob Paris-Jackson. As long as she delivered what we came to expect-a soundtrack that gave us hope and allowed us, in our more somber moments, to believe that there was a place where we could be better than we were today-we continued our devotion.
By the end of the 1990s things had started to change, though, and it was Madonna herself who foreshadowed the shift. When she covered Don McLean's folk epic "American Pie" in 2000 for The Next Best Thing sound track, hearing her sing the lines "I knew if I had my chance / that I could make those people dance / and maybe they'd be happy for a while," it was hard not to be struck by the earnestness of her delivery. As she did with everything else, she made the lyrics her own. As a listener, not to mention a fan, you almost wanted to put any doubts she might have had to rest. Yes, Madonna you did make those people dance. And yes, you certainly did make us happy, and for more than just awhile. You made us downright ecstatic for many, many years. Your music continued to transport us out of this world and into another.
But for some fans the moment Madonna began talking about another type of transcendence-through the teachings of Kabbalah-was the day the music died.
In the mid to late 1990s, there was still plenty of life in Madonna's work, depending on who was taking the pulse. The problem, as some devotees saw it, was the message that accompanied the medium. Both the CD and the title song of 1997's Ray of Light could easily have been sub-titled Meditations on a Dance Floor. The song's lyrics contained a different kind of spiritual exploration than that to which Madonna's fans were accustomed. Whereas she had previously questioned religious authority-in Gaultier-designed frocks, no less-she was now turning inward and searching for answers.
Some fans didn't care, as long as she still brought the beats to the dance floor, and Music, released in 2000, delivered some block-rockers. Still, the lyrics and attitude that had earlier in her career made the press label her a "stainless steel sexual icon" were not the focus of this later work. Eventually the spirituality-cum-social message that culminated in her American Life release and last summer's Reinvention Tour left part of her audience feeling abandoned. Madonna may have only wanted to take her fans higher with her musings on the immaterial world. But as an escape it just wasn't where some of them wanted to go.
Finding God, reaching Nirvana, becoming born again, seeking a balanced center-whichever way you choose to label it, a spiritual search is an individual thing. But getting dumped? Now that's universal. After we spent hours waiting for the call that never came, it was Madonna who told us to use that dejection to our advantage. Rejection, we learned, was a powerful aphrodisiac, and looking good was the best revenge.
And that's probably part of the reason her new single, "Hung Up," has created such excitement: Madonna is back on message. Madonna is once again singing from a place where we've all been, with attitude and beats most definitely included.
"Hung Up" had barely had its legal release when my in-box began filling with the effusive ravings of the faithful. What struck me the most wasn't just the adoration and excitement that the new single had stirred among my friends; it was the song's uncanny ability to allow these people to forget the very real problems they had to face each day.
D, who said he'd "nearly swerved off the road" when he'd heard "Hung Up" while driving, has been tending to the health of a gravely ill family member for most of the year.
S, whose excitement over Madonna's new single was displayed in exclamation points and gasp-filled messages, has been diagnosed with a cardiac condition generally associated with people twice his age.
And M, who had just undergone yet another surgery for a chronic autoimmune disorder, was particularly happy; "Hung Up," with its revved-up ABBA sample and bone-crushing beats, took him back to the dance floor and distracted him from his post-op pain.
The appearance of Madonna on MTV's European Music Video Awards show caused another volley of e-mails and phone calls as the reverent frantically programmed their TiVos. After repeated viewings, we gushed about the boots, the body, and the magnetic presence. We might as well have been worlds away.
The problems we have today are different than those we faced 20 or so years ago but regardless of the issue currently laying us low, Madonna still lifts us up the most whenever she's throwing down. One day we might be ready to sit and listen more attentively to what the Kabbalah can bring to our lives, but with one version of Confessions on a Dance Floor offering seamless mixes from one track to the next it doesn't look like we'll be getting off the dance floor anytime soon.
So, Happy Madonna Day. It's time for the good times. Forget about the-never mind, I think you know the rest.
Free Music Review: MADONNA brings us her best album since Ray of Light !
Hit: 5 Stars
MADONNA is back with her new album Confessions on a Dance Floor and it is an amazing album and one of her best!
HUNG UP - This is the first single off of the new album and is a huge hit in the clubs. The song has a sample from ABBA's song Gimme Gimme Gimme (which I have never heard) and has MADONNA singing about someone she is hung up on. The song has a very great groove and it's definitely the most commercial song on the album. With the chorus line "Every little thing that you say or do I'm HUNG UP, I'm hung up on you." and lines like "Ring , ring, ring goes the telephone, the lights are on but there's no one home" the song gets stuck in your mind and you find yourself singing these catchy lines. No Madonna song has as catchy lines since "INTO THE GROOVE" which had Madonna sing "At night I lock the doors and no one else can see". Very strong single that will keep the dance club crowd on there feet.
GET TOGETHER - This is a great up- beat song (inspired by Stardust - Music Sounds Better With You) with a very laid back trance like feel to it. The song has Madonna singing to a person she really likes asking "Do you believe in love at first sight?" Even if it's an illusion she states she don't care. "Can we get Together? I really, I really want to be with you. Come on check it out with me, I hope you, I hope you feel the same way too." Put some head-phones on and close your eyes and the Great retro dance beat along with the trance feel take you to another world.
SORRY - This is rumored to be one of the new singles from the album. Madonna sings "I don't want to hear, I don't want to know please don't say your SORRY." to someone she is probably never going to forgive. The songs chorus sounds similar to the bass line from The Jackson's' 1981 hit Can You Feel. Sure to be another huge club and commercial hit.
FUTURE LOVERS - This is one of my favorite songs on the album. This song also has a retro vibe to it with another trance like feel. This song has a lot of stuff going on musically and it is inspired by Giorgio Moroder/I feel Love by Donna Summer. The song has some spoken vocals for the first minute and a half, then it breaks out in to this awesome dance song. She sings "In the evidence of it's brilliance" talking about love. This song is going to be HUGE in the clubs.
I LOVE NEW YORK - Great dance song that has MADONNA telling us how much she loves NEW YORK and hinting towards George Bush and his home state. Singing, "If you don't like my attitude then you can just f off. Just go to Texas, isn't that where they golf." Very awesome dance song with a very punk rock feel to it. This is also rumored to be a single off of the new album.
LET IT WILL BE - this is a song that has a raw feel to it with a funky house groove and a retro 80's feel to it. This song sounds similar to the string opening (played on a synth) from her own song PAPA DON'T PREACH. This song has MADONNA singing lines like "Now I can tell you about success, about fame, about the rise and the fall, of all the stars in the sky, Don't it make you smile? Let it will Be. Just let it be. Won't you let it be?"
FORBIDDEN LOVE - This is one of the slowest dance songs on the album and one of the most beautiful. The song has computer generated, and vocoder style vocals and has another 80's feel to it. The song is the closest thing to a ballad on the album. MADONNA sings "Once upon a time there was a boy and there was a girl. Hearts that intertwined they lived in a different kind of world. Forbidden Love are we supposed to be together? Forbidden Love we seal are destiny forever."
JUMP - This is one of my other favorite tracks on this album. This song has a great beat and classic MADONNA vocals. This is one song that will make the club crowd JUMP and remind anyone of classic MADONNA. Madonna sings " We learned our lesson from the start my sisters and me. The only thing you can depend on is your family. Life's gonna drop you down like the limbs of a tree. It sways, and it swings and it bends until it makes you see. Are you ready to jump? Get ready to jump. Don't ever look back oh baby. Yes I'm ready to jump. Just take my hand, get ready to... are you ready?" This would be a great single and in some countries is expected to be released as a single.
HOW HIGH - This song has a great beat to it and is another song that has computer generated, and vocoder style vocals. This is a song that has lyrics (similar to "Drowned World/Substitute For Love) about Madonna analyzing and evaluating her fame and success. She sings "How HIGH are the stakes? How much fortune can you make? Should I carry on? Will it matter when I'm gone?" Another great song!
ISAAC - This is another beautiful song on the album. Despite the early controversy this song has spawned, this is s song that has a very beautiful Jewish chant with strings and guitars that envelope you and take you on an emotional journey. This has some of the most beautiful lyrics MADONNA has ever wrote. She sings "Wrestle with your darkness. Angels call your name. Can you hear what they are saying? Will You ever be the same?" People may not like this song because of the spiritual vibe, the Jewish chant, and because it is different, since some people don't like things that are different. I love this song!
PUSH ME - This is a great inspirational song that she probably wrote for her husband Guy. Very Uplifting beat that some people say samples a slowed down section from her own hit "LIKE A PRAYER." Madonna sings "You PUSH ME to go the extra mile. You push me when it's difficult to smile. You push me a better version of myself. You push me only you and no one else. You push me see the other pont of view. You push me when there's nothing else to do. You push me when I think I know it all. You push me when I stumble and I fall." This is a great song that reminds us all how much our lovers/partners love us and push us to be better.
LIKE IT OR NOT - This is another great song influenced by her own cover of her hit FEVER. This is for all those people who for what ever reason don't like MADONNA and always put her down. She once again analyzes herself and says, like it or not this is who I am. She sings: "You can call me a sinner, you can call me a saint. This is who I am, You can like it or not, You can love me or leave me, But I'm never going to stop." Awesome song and some great advice from a strong women who just keeps going on her journey no matter what people think of her. Cleverly this last song closes this beautiful future-disco album with an acoustic guitar.
I have to say it's very sad to see some of these reviewers post reviews about how much they hate Madonna or like other artists better. The reviews they write have nothing to do with Madonna's new album and yet they give her 1 star all because they don't like her. After reading the reviews I can tell most of them have not even heard the album because the reviews they wrote are so far from what the songs are about. I guess MADONNA is still a huge threat to them and they have to post such hateful things about someone they don't like all because she is MADONNA. In a MADONNA like fashion I will not get bitter toward them, I will forgive them and ask that God Blesses each and every one of them.
And should any of you good people out there be the target like MADONNA and find yourself the victim of other people's bitterness, ignorance, smallness or insecurities; Remember, things could be worse. You could be one of them!
MADONNA once again leads while the rest will follow. This is the best MADONNA album since RAY of Light!