Spring Break
'Hard Candy' provides dance-pop gems
Madonna's latest album is full of danceable pop tracks to inspire clubgoers the world over.
by Brad Stern
Staff Writer
Arts | 4/29/08
Posted online at 12:06 AM EST on 4/29/08
Madonna truly does want to devour the world. In 2005, Confessions On A Dance Floor further cemented her status as an icon within discotheques around the world, as well as her seat upon the throne as the reigning Queen of Pop. The album served as an unapologetic gift to her long-term fan base, making no pretense in its pandering to her faithful gay following. Now, after coming back from the hugely successful Confessions Tour, Madonna has returned to reinvent herself with a few new friends in tow and a new mission in mind: universal appeal.
Most fans, including myself, were incredibly dismayed to hear of Madonna's decision to turn to today's most prominent producers for the crafting of her upcoming album. Securing Timbaland was probably the greatest let-down, especially considering his reputation as a career-reviver for musicians looking to secure a major radio hit or two. As a true pioneer of pop, Madonna has always had a wealth of undiscovered talent at her disposal. But as evidenced through various interviews in the past few weeks, Madonna wants more fans. So, this time around, she's fancied herself a very modern, very urban flavor catering to today's Top 40-friendly sounds.
The album begins with "Candy Shop," which sounds no different than it did when it leaked months ago. While its simplistic production and uninspired lyrics were none too thrilling at the time, no one could foretell that the track would eventually become a refreshingly breezy opener to this heavily overproduced album. The current smash single "4 Minutes" comes in quickly thereafter, horns blaring, as the Timbaland circus begins.
Next up is the Pharrell-produced "Give It 2 Me." Implementing some rave-happy synthesizers and a bit of the old cowbell, the track is a stand-out from the pack. The man's brought in a dozen production tricks of the trade, including a massive middle eight comparable to a dizzying round of Dance Dance Revolution. "Left, left, right, right," Pharrell chants as Madonna taunts, "Get stupid, get stupid!" It's briefly disorienting, though all in good fun.
Most fans, including myself, were incredibly dismayed to hear of Madonna's decision to turn to today's most prominent producers for the crafting of her upcoming album. Securing Timbaland was probably the greatest let-down, especially considering his reputation as a career-reviver for musicians looking to secure a major radio hit or two. As a true pioneer of pop, Madonna has always had a wealth of undiscovered talent at her disposal. But as evidenced through various interviews in the past few weeks, Madonna wants more fans. So, this time around, she's fancied herself a very modern, very urban flavor catering to today's Top 40-friendly sounds.
The album begins with "Candy Shop," which sounds no different than it did when it leaked months ago. While its simplistic production and uninspired lyrics were none too thrilling at the time, no one could foretell that the track would eventually become a refreshingly breezy opener to this heavily overproduced album. The current smash single "4 Minutes" comes in quickly thereafter, horns blaring, as the Timbaland circus begins.
Next up is the Pharrell-produced "Give It 2 Me." Implementing some rave-happy synthesizers and a bit of the old cowbell, the track is a stand-out from the pack. The man's brought in a dozen production tricks of the trade, including a massive middle eight comparable to a dizzying round of Dance Dance Revolution. "Left, left, right, right," Pharrell chants as Madonna taunts, "Get stupid, get stupid!" It's briefly disorienting, though all in good fun.
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