Madonna's Musical Sweet Tooth!!!
Hard Candy (2008)
1. "Candy Shop"
Awwww, this song is a cute opener. Pharrell sure knows how make a great beat and this is no different! Madonna invites listens to come in her "Candy Shop" and eat all the candy they want, whether it be "sticky or sweet". Sounds pretty harmless, right?! But this is Madonna! Clearly this song is some kind of sexual metaphor, double entendre, etc. But it's a fun song, where her vocals are nice, fits the nice beat and once again, Pharrell did a great job, of course having to make a cameo. But overall, it's a nice start to the album like I said.
(B)
Awwww, this song is a cute opener. Pharrell sure knows how make a great beat and this is no different! Madonna invites listens to come in her "Candy Shop" and eat all the candy they want, whether it be "sticky or sweet". Sounds pretty harmless, right?! But this is Madonna! Clearly this song is some kind of sexual metaphor, double entendre, etc. But it's a fun song, where her vocals are nice, fits the nice beat and once again, Pharrell did a great job, of course having to make a cameo. But overall, it's a nice start to the album like I said.
(B)
2. "4 Minutes" (Featuring Justin Timberlake and Timbaland)
"4 Minutes" was Madonna's biggest hit since "Don't Tell Me" since 2000. It was a great pop hit for the masses at it entered the Top 5 and once again Madonna seamlessly reintroduced herself to a new generation of young listeners. But...I'm not a big fan of the song. The problem for me, it's a great production by Timbaland and Justin, but Madonna's part itself feels like a feature. I feel Madonna's part could have been song by any young diva at the time and she really didn't add anything to the song, which is very disappointing. For such a great sound, it's pretty much your typical Timbaland/Timberlake production with Madonna's vocals. As successful as the song was, it's sad that it's not very memorable amongst her catalogue of massive hits. In the end, it kinda feels, bland, uninspired, forgettable, a song made just to become a hit, not to be a good song period. The saving the world in 4 minutes concept is fun, but poorly executed as a song. But it became a big hit, so what do I know, right?
(C-)
"4 Minutes" was Madonna's biggest hit since "Don't Tell Me" since 2000. It was a great pop hit for the masses at it entered the Top 5 and once again Madonna seamlessly reintroduced herself to a new generation of young listeners. But...I'm not a big fan of the song. The problem for me, it's a great production by Timbaland and Justin, but Madonna's part itself feels like a feature. I feel Madonna's part could have been song by any young diva at the time and she really didn't add anything to the song, which is very disappointing. For such a great sound, it's pretty much your typical Timbaland/Timberlake production with Madonna's vocals. As successful as the song was, it's sad that it's not very memorable amongst her catalogue of massive hits. In the end, it kinda feels, bland, uninspired, forgettable, a song made just to become a hit, not to be a good song period. The saving the world in 4 minutes concept is fun, but poorly executed as a song. But it became a big hit, so what do I know, right?
(C-)
3. "Give It To Me"
Pharrell must have sampled part of the beat from Marvin Gaye's "Got To Give It Up". Either way, it's fun and infectious production that I thoroughly enjoy. I also like how the beat switches up briefly toward the end with Madonna's chants of "Get Stupid" over Pharrell's dance directions. Overall, a good song for the dance floor and a shame it didn't chart higher on the Hot 100 charts. But anyway, a sure standout from the album so far.
(B+)
Pharrell must have sampled part of the beat from Marvin Gaye's "Got To Give It Up". Either way, it's fun and infectious production that I thoroughly enjoy. I also like how the beat switches up briefly toward the end with Madonna's chants of "Get Stupid" over Pharrell's dance directions. Overall, a good song for the dance floor and a shame it didn't chart higher on the Hot 100 charts. But anyway, a sure standout from the album so far.
(B+)
4. "Heartbeat"
Another strong dance beat and Madonna's vocals are solid actually! Though, why am I afraid that this album is gonna be cluttered with random cameos by Pharrell and Timbaland!? I mean, it's typical for their music, but already it's kinda annoying, when fans and listeners are listening the album to her Madonna, but at this point, it's already starting to feel more like a duet album, where Madonna is more a featured artist. I mean, pretty good song, fun beat but it's ultimately it could have been better if Madonna was the only one singing on it.
(B-)
Another strong dance beat and Madonna's vocals are solid actually! Though, why am I afraid that this album is gonna be cluttered with random cameos by Pharrell and Timbaland!? I mean, it's typical for their music, but already it's kinda annoying, when fans and listeners are listening the album to her Madonna, but at this point, it's already starting to feel more like a duet album, where Madonna is more a featured artist. I mean, pretty good song, fun beat but it's ultimately it could have been better if Madonna was the only one singing on it.
(B-)
5. "Miles Away"
"Miles Away" has this nice acoustic/mid-tempo groove that she's Madonna singing of a long distance romance, which is pretty sweet. It's just a cool, soothing song with a nice message and makes for an enjoyable listen. Luckily, no random Timbaland cameos were added and certainly weren't needed.
(B+)
"Miles Away" has this nice acoustic/mid-tempo groove that she's Madonna singing of a long distance romance, which is pretty sweet. It's just a cool, soothing song with a nice message and makes for an enjoyable listen. Luckily, no random Timbaland cameos were added and certainly weren't needed.
(B+)
6. "She's Not Me"
Ummm, "She's Not Me"...seems to be about Madonna being envious of a woman who is with her former lover or...no, I think that seems to be the message of the song. It's ok. More Pharrell cameos, that aren't needed and it's just...ok. Nothing really special. Nice beat again, but that's about it.
(C)
Ummm, "She's Not Me"...seems to be about Madonna being envious of a woman who is with her former lover or...no, I think that seems to be the message of the song. It's ok. More Pharrell cameos, that aren't needed and it's just...ok. Nothing really special. Nice beat again, but that's about it.
(C)
7. "Incredible"
Hmmm, ok, a cool, infectious beat, that becomes more hard hitting as the song goes along. Seems this song is about Madonna's views on life? And how incredible it is? Well, she even mentions that "sex" with her lover is incredible! Whatever you say Madonna. Once again, Pharrell comes in for some assistance when the song was going fine without him. But ok, I can get into this I guess. I mean, it's once again ok. Nothing really special. I enjoy the beat ore than the lyrics though.
(C)
Hmmm, ok, a cool, infectious beat, that becomes more hard hitting as the song goes along. Seems this song is about Madonna's views on life? And how incredible it is? Well, she even mentions that "sex" with her lover is incredible! Whatever you say Madonna. Once again, Pharrell comes in for some assistance when the song was going fine without him. But ok, I can get into this I guess. I mean, it's once again ok. Nothing really special. I enjoy the beat ore than the lyrics though.
(C)
8. "Beat Goes On" (Featuring Kanye West)
Ok, cool beat and a really nice melody with a catchy chorus. More Pharrell ad libs as Madonna sings across the beat. Kanye West even comes in for a nice verse that does fit perfectly with the song's funky urban/hip-hop groove. I surprisingly like this one a lot. Probably will be coming back to it a lot. Though honestly, I don't really like it for Madonna's part in it unfortunately, though her vocals sound nice and I will get more into that when I get to my analysis of the album. Anyway, an unforeseen standout and really fun all around.
(A-)
Ok, cool beat and a really nice melody with a catchy chorus. More Pharrell ad libs as Madonna sings across the beat. Kanye West even comes in for a nice verse that does fit perfectly with the song's funky urban/hip-hop groove. I surprisingly like this one a lot. Probably will be coming back to it a lot. Though honestly, I don't really like it for Madonna's part in it unfortunately, though her vocals sound nice and I will get more into that when I get to my analysis of the album. Anyway, an unforeseen standout and really fun all around.
(A-)
9. "Dance 2Night"
I mean, "Dance 2Night" has this 80s feel to it with a modern twist to it that's enjoyable, but it feels a bit sluggish for me as a dance track. I mean it's funky and Justin's layered vocals that make brief appearances sounds nice, even a little sexy. Oh, please, he ain't that fine, I'm just saying his vocals are cute! It's nice, just not really memorable.
(C+)
I mean, "Dance 2Night" has this 80s feel to it with a modern twist to it that's enjoyable, but it feels a bit sluggish for me as a dance track. I mean it's funky and Justin's layered vocals that make brief appearances sounds nice, even a little sexy. Oh, please, he ain't that fine, I'm just saying his vocals are cute! It's nice, just not really memorable.
(C+)
10. "Spanish Lesson"
Oh yeah, Spanish guitars and hard beats! What's not to love? Well, I mean it's just kind of ok really. I don't know, doesn't leave me with much of an impression but it's a nice listen for what it is. Nothing bad, nothing good, just more of the same.
(C+)
Oh yeah, Spanish guitars and hard beats! What's not to love? Well, I mean it's just kind of ok really. I don't know, doesn't leave me with much of an impression but it's a nice listen for what it is. Nothing bad, nothing good, just more of the same.
(C+)
11. "Devil Wouldn't Recognize You"
Ok, this is a nice production with a fine groove. Madonna, with Justin's vocal assistance, talks a lover who apparently she can see even for his deceptive ways but the devil can't. How clever? But not really the best song overall, I mean it's pretty solid, just kinda soulless.
(C+)
Ok, this is a nice production with a fine groove. Madonna, with Justin's vocal assistance, talks a lover who apparently she can see even for his deceptive ways but the devil can't. How clever? But not really the best song overall, I mean it's pretty solid, just kinda soulless.
(C+)
12. "Voices"
Well, I appreciate Justin, Tim and Pharrell kept their cameos low on this track even if Justin comes in for some harmonies and does background vocals. Which just, I mean...it's kind of dull. Kind of a disappointing end to the album. Maybe I'm just missing the meaning and significance of the song?? It's just kind of meh, really. Didn't like it. Oh well.
Well, I appreciate Justin, Tim and Pharrell kept their cameos low on this track even if Justin comes in for some harmonies and does background vocals. Which just, I mean...it's kind of dull. Kind of a disappointing end to the album. Maybe I'm just missing the meaning and significance of the song?? It's just kind of meh, really. Didn't like it. Oh well.
(D+)
Oh Madonna! The everlasting re-inventor of modern day music who turned her late 20th Century phenomenon into a career generated full of controversial lyrics, shocking imagery, jaw dropping music videos and earth shattering visuals!!! But by 2008, the long lasting diva was turning 50 and the pop world was continuing to change with a breakout generation of new female pop superstars like Rihanna, Beyonce and Lady Gaga. After her riveting rhythmic dancefloor masterpiece with 2005's "Confessions On A Dancefloor", it seems Madonna could do no wrong....until finding inspiration in Justin Timberlake's critically masterful "Future Sex/Love Sounds". Yes, old Madge LOVED that Timbaland produced LP so much that she decided that her 11th album should be heavily composed of heavy urban beats, hip hop infused grooves and electro-R&B tunes. Which is all well and fine...until actually listening to the album itself. While "4 Minutes..." was a pretty big hit, managing to make it to #3 on the Billboard Hot 100 but even with that first single alone, you could tell not all things were as it seems for this upcoming album for the pop legend. Honestly, while the album is well produced, it certainly isn't the best Timbaland as well as Neptunes hit maker, Pharell, have mustered up in the studio. The thing is, Madonna herself, continuously feels like a featured artist on her own album as Timbaland, with his unofficial sidekick/collaborator, Justin Timberlake have no choice but to cameo and adlib in almost, if not, every song on the album. And if it's not them, it's usually Pharrell to come in a play background vocalist and assist Madge on the songs that produced as well. Ok, one wonders....WHY!!!?? o_O Even for Timbaland, who must leave his vocal mark on every production he does for an artist, this is rather over the top and pretentious as a producer. This is A Madonna album!!! And album where we want to hear, yet again, how she has evolved and re-invented herself in the ever changing music landscape...yet her, she feels like she's being directed or even controlled here where "Confessions...." saw sudden vigor and resurgence of her creative ambition not seen in nearly a decade. Unfortunately, it's a same because the album has it's moments. "The Beat Goes On" is an infectious dance club bounce despite Pharrell's irresistible need to chyme in during the chorus and West's rather redundant rap theatrics. "Miles Away" has a very straight forward but MUCH needed solo vocal performance from Madonna that adds some heart into the album while most of it tries to be some trendy club affair. But that's the thing is...Madonna didn't seem concerned about making an album that pushed the musical genre it was so heavily inspired from or give us any insight into the imaginative juices in her mind. Apparently, "Hard Candy" is suppose to be autobiographical in terms of Madonna and Timberlake coming up with a very personal arc throughout the creative process of making the album....but I find that hard to believe. Especially considering the album was almost called "The Black Madonna", which Madonna herself eventually rebuke that title because of the immense controversy that would come with it! Most likely, how said controversy would heavily affect sales of the album itself. Don't get me wrong!!! The album is certainly polished in most areas, even feeling refreshing like Pharell's psychedelic ye modern spin on Marvin Gaye's "Got To Give Up" with the highly infectious "Give It To Me". Even "Incredible" production wise is a pulsating beat ridden groove despite by overall "mehness" toward it overall. Honestly, the most that can be taken away from this era of Madonna's career is corresponding tour that followed to promote said album aka "The Sticky&Sweet Tour", which went on to be the highest grossing tour by a solo artist in history!!! Which just goes to show Madonna's star power was ANYTHING but fading at the time. But unfortunately, "Hard Candy" just misses it's mark in her discography because it is such a product of it's time and not a product of Madonna's truly fascinating musical psyche at times. Like Britney's dark and darking "Blackout" or Rihanna's demented "Rated R", but without the artistic re-invention that Madonna help to redefine during her 3 decade career at the time. The first of the next couple of albums that would see the Material Girl struggling to find material up to her standards. :(
"As her 11th and final album with Warner Bros. Records, Madonna teams up with the late 2000s' most trend setting hit makers in the form of Timbaland and the Neptunes for an album that's mostly style and no substance. "Hard Candy", said to be personal in content, is rather flimsy at best lyrically and a moderately entertaining pop record in terms of productions. The album's greatest failure comes when Timbaland, Timberlake and Williams can't help but over-saturate the album with an abundance of needless features throughout as it seems more like a typical studio run down of their talents, NOT of the pop phenomenon that should have been the REAL star of her own album sadly." :(
(C+)
Oh Madonna! The everlasting re-inventor of modern day music who turned her late 20th Century phenomenon into a career generated full of controversial lyrics, shocking imagery, jaw dropping music videos and earth shattering visuals!!! But by 2008, the long lasting diva was turning 50 and the pop world was continuing to change with a breakout generation of new female pop superstars like Rihanna, Beyonce and Lady Gaga. After her riveting rhythmic dancefloor masterpiece with 2005's "Confessions On A Dancefloor", it seems Madonna could do no wrong....until finding inspiration in Justin Timberlake's critically masterful "Future Sex/Love Sounds". Yes, old Madge LOVED that Timbaland produced LP so much that she decided that her 11th album should be heavily composed of heavy urban beats, hip hop infused grooves and electro-R&B tunes. Which is all well and fine...until actually listening to the album itself. While "4 Minutes..." was a pretty big hit, managing to make it to #3 on the Billboard Hot 100 but even with that first single alone, you could tell not all things were as it seems for this upcoming album for the pop legend. Honestly, while the album is well produced, it certainly isn't the best Timbaland as well as Neptunes hit maker, Pharell, have mustered up in the studio. The thing is, Madonna herself, continuously feels like a featured artist on her own album as Timbaland, with his unofficial sidekick/collaborator, Justin Timberlake have no choice but to cameo and adlib in almost, if not, every song on the album. And if it's not them, it's usually Pharrell to come in a play background vocalist and assist Madge on the songs that produced as well. Ok, one wonders....WHY!!!?? o_O Even for Timbaland, who must leave his vocal mark on every production he does for an artist, this is rather over the top and pretentious as a producer. This is A Madonna album!!! And album where we want to hear, yet again, how she has evolved and re-invented herself in the ever changing music landscape...yet her, she feels like she's being directed or even controlled here where "Confessions...." saw sudden vigor and resurgence of her creative ambition not seen in nearly a decade. Unfortunately, it's a same because the album has it's moments. "The Beat Goes On" is an infectious dance club bounce despite Pharrell's irresistible need to chyme in during the chorus and West's rather redundant rap theatrics. "Miles Away" has a very straight forward but MUCH needed solo vocal performance from Madonna that adds some heart into the album while most of it tries to be some trendy club affair. But that's the thing is...Madonna didn't seem concerned about making an album that pushed the musical genre it was so heavily inspired from or give us any insight into the imaginative juices in her mind. Apparently, "Hard Candy" is suppose to be autobiographical in terms of Madonna and Timberlake coming up with a very personal arc throughout the creative process of making the album....but I find that hard to believe. Especially considering the album was almost called "The Black Madonna", which Madonna herself eventually rebuke that title because of the immense controversy that would come with it! Most likely, how said controversy would heavily affect sales of the album itself. Don't get me wrong!!! The album is certainly polished in most areas, even feeling refreshing like Pharell's psychedelic ye modern spin on Marvin Gaye's "Got To Give Up" with the highly infectious "Give It To Me". Even "Incredible" production wise is a pulsating beat ridden groove despite by overall "mehness" toward it overall. Honestly, the most that can be taken away from this era of Madonna's career is corresponding tour that followed to promote said album aka "The Sticky&Sweet Tour", which went on to be the highest grossing tour by a solo artist in history!!! Which just goes to show Madonna's star power was ANYTHING but fading at the time. But unfortunately, "Hard Candy" just misses it's mark in her discography because it is such a product of it's time and not a product of Madonna's truly fascinating musical psyche at times. Like Britney's dark and darking "Blackout" or Rihanna's demented "Rated R", but without the artistic re-invention that Madonna help to redefine during her 3 decade career at the time. The first of the next couple of albums that would see the Material Girl struggling to find material up to her standards. :(
"As her 11th and final album with Warner Bros. Records, Madonna teams up with the late 2000s' most trend setting hit makers in the form of Timbaland and the Neptunes for an album that's mostly style and no substance. "Hard Candy", said to be personal in content, is rather flimsy at best lyrically and a moderately entertaining pop record in terms of productions. The album's greatest failure comes when Timbaland, Timberlake and Williams can't help but over-saturate the album with an abundance of needless features throughout as it seems more like a typical studio run down of their talents, NOT of the pop phenomenon that should have been the REAL star of her own album sadly." :(
(C+)
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