04/29/2008
Music News: So What Do You Think Of Hard Candy? Plus Coldplay, Glastonbury, Amy Winehouse, Robyn, Portishead
Photo courtesy Pud at Madonnalicious.
Robbie Daw presents a weekly pop music update here on Towleroad! Robbie runs his own site called Chart Rigger.
I'm going way out on a limb and assuming there might be some Madonna fans amongst the readers of Towleroad. So in honor of the release today of Madge's 11th studio album, Hard Candy, lets turn it over to you guys -- what are your thoughts of the album? Did you celebrate with a big bag of Jolly Ranchers or wallpaper your bedroom with 100 copies of the vinyl? Wish she woulda been a little more Material Matron and a little less Hooker Of Dorian Gray with the cover art? Let us know what you think!
Live outside the U.S. and not able to jet over to Madonna's gig at New York's Roseland Ballroom tomorrow night? Vodafone is making the show available for free to customers in 14 different countries. Says the company's global chief marketing officer, “Vodafone's strategy is to offer different music flavours and innovative formats allowing customers to experience music on their mobile in any way they wish."
Is Amy Winehouse recording the new Bond theme for November's Quantum Of Solace? "She has been doing some work in the studio, but [the Bond theme] is speculation, basically," says her label's spokesperson. "It would be lovely, but there's nothing to confirm at this stage."
Saturday Night Live alum Cheri Oteri's father, Gaetano Thomas Oteri, was killed over the weekend, and his roommate, country songwriter Richard William Fagan, has been charged with the murder: "...the roommates had an alcohol-infused brawl around 9 p.m. Saturday night and Fagan allegedly cut Oteri, his music associate and publisher, with a 4- to 6-inch long Colt pocketknife. Police spokesman Don Aaron said Oteri died from a significant laceration to the wrist. Fagan is best known for penning the No. 1 songs 'Be My Baby Tonight' and 'Sold (The Grundy County Auction Incident)' for John Michael Montgomery."
Coldplay have unveiled the cover art (pictured right) for fourth album, Viva La Vida Or Death And All His Friends, due out June 18. Today the band's new single, "Violet Hill," was made available as a free download from Coldplay's official site. The track will be free for one week before its official release to online digital music stores.
Mel B. denies rumors the Spice Girls will play Nelson Mandela's 90th birthday party in London this summer, as she's far too busy modeling underwear and recording a solo album.
With Coachella over, all guitars (and Jay-Z) point toward Glastonbury.
In February I interviewed Robyn for Towleroad, and today her full self-titled album finally sees its American release. In a final nod to Madonna, below is the video for Robyn's current U.K. single, "Who's That Girl."
TODAY'S NEW RELEASES:
Third, the long-awaited third album from Bristol trip-hoppers Portishead, who performed at Coachella over the weekend. It's now been 11 years since their last full-length set of original material.
Shine, from 28-year-old London singer Estelle. The album features the single "American Boy," a duet with Kanye West that recently spent a month on top of the U.K. chart.
The Roots' Rising Down, featuring guest appearances by Mos Def, Common and Talib Kweli.
Santogold's self-titled debut. The Philadelphia-based artist topped numerous music mag's "ones to watch" lists last year.
Lyfe Jennings' third album, Lyfe Change.
Nine Lives, a new solo offering from Steve Winwood which also features Eric Clapton on the song "Dirty City." Winwood turns 60 in May.
Posted 4:30 PM EST by Robbie in Amy Winehouse, Madonna, Music, Music Recommendations, Music Video, Robyn | Permalink
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Since you asked... I only like about 3 songs on the new Madonna album. For the most part, it lacks substance. And some of the lyrics are abysmal. "My sugar is raw... sticky and sweet." Um, ok. What the fuck does that even mean?
I like to think of this as Madonna's midlife crisis CD. But the thing about Madonna is she can whether a crap album... hopefully, her next one, when she's free of Warner, will be a return to form.
That new Portishead CD is amazing, depressing, and bizarre. I don't recommend it to anyone who isn't already a fan, but I am completely fascinated by it.
Posted by: crispy | Apr 29, 2008 4:42:57 PM
And now for a completely different review....
After a week of listening to Hard Candy, I will say that it is a "grower" not a "show-er". Upon first listen there were maybe a handful of stand out tracks for me, but after a while the rest really grew on me. At this point (with the exception of a few weird production choices during some songs) I can listen to it almost straight through and enjoy it for what it is. She should really give the Spanish stuff a rest. but who am I, right?
Opinions are like assholes, so, SERIOUSLY, anyone looking to an album called HARD CANDY to have some deep philosophical meaning is trying too hard to find something to bitch about ("My sugar is raw... sticky and sweet." Um, ok. What the fuck does that even mean?) It's called innuendo, look it up. It's a fun record and that's all it needs to be. Need something to contemplate suicide to? Then pick up the new Portishead. Also a very good album. So there!
Posted by: JR | Apr 29, 2008 4:53:48 PM
Good review, JR. I actually agree with a lot of what you said. I guess my biggest problem with it is the HARD CANDY concept and using hot producers like Pharrell and Timbaland. I prefer Madonna when she's borrowing from underground scenes and reaching for deep philosophical meanings. But to each his own, like you said.
Which songs are your favorites? Mine is "Miles Away." And yes, that "Spanish Lesson" song is just awful!
PS: Perhaps if you avoided douchebag comments you might be able to engage in mature conversation. Give it a shot. :)
Posted by: crispy | Apr 29, 2008 5:08:01 PM
The new Madge is pretty good. It's definately more unadulterated dance than Confessions but there are definate highs and lows. "Heartbeat," "Miles Away," "She's Not Me" and "Dance 2Night" are near vintage post-Like A Prayer Madonna. The rest are not bad, just not all that amazing. But I mean, Janet, Mariah and Madonna all dropped sub-par (for them) CDs recently. However, they've already proved themselves so as long as the CDs aren't totally horrid, but still fun and good pop music--all's good. I do have to pick a bone with Madge on the track "Devil Wouldn't Recognize You," because it seems an almost EXACT replica of Timberlake's "What Goes Around.." (with a little bit of Kylie's "Red Blooded Woman" thrown in for good measure). A trendsetter such as Madge should really know better.
Am I the only one who finds that Robyn video totally dyke-a-licious? HOT.
Posted by: Derrick Reaves | Apr 29, 2008 5:11:15 PM
Thank you, JR!
Um...haven't we had enough serious Madonna with American Life and even Confessions? I've listened to the album a couple of times since downloading last night and think it's fun, danceable, iconic pop...what Madonna is known for. Not too "messagy" and not too random.
Honestly, I'm kind of grooving on the dance, funk, vibe she's got going with some surprises thrown in. Now is the boxer champ image my favorite? Maybe not, but she keeps it fun and interesting - which is more than I can say for other artists. Enjoy it for what it is - I'm having a lot of fun with it.
Posted by: RJB | Apr 29, 2008 5:13:14 PM
Ray of Light...still her best album to date.
Posted by: Vince | Apr 29, 2008 5:19:58 PM
The album of the summer (which will probably not get written up here) is Al Green's Lay It Down.
?uestlove & the Roots produce a beautifully organic (i.e. all REAL instruments) soul joint with duets with Corrine Bailey Rae, John Legend and Anthony Hamilton.
Release date is late May.
See the Making of Lay it Down here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_TyvtHJVJBI
Posted by: soulbrotha | Apr 29, 2008 5:20:53 PM
Crispy,
"PS: Perhaps if you avoided douchebag comments you might be able to engage in mature conversation. Give it a shot. :)"
LOL! Touché
Thanks.
JR
Posted by: JR | Apr 29, 2008 5:28:46 PM
i ADORE Santogold !!!
Posted by: A.J. | Apr 29, 2008 5:40:54 PM
LOVE LOVE LOVE THIS ALBUM!!! total fun dance album with break downs in almost every song. i personally love HEARTBEAT, INCREDIBLE, MILES AWAY, SHES NOT ME, and BEAT GOES ON. seriously have not been able to stop dancing since i got it. i feel sorry for all the haters cuz theyre missing out on some fun candy coated gems.
at the same time CANDY SHOP and SPANISH LESSON are horrible but you take the great with the not so great
Posted by: sean | Apr 29, 2008 5:57:54 PM
Ok So you might think you are too good for Madge, but who cares. The album is FUN...that's all. Yes, I enjoy her music, so i listen and have with it...I don't stay up and bitch about it and pretend not to like it just because you are too P***SY to say "Yes, I love it, makes want to groove" LOL get over it guys..MADONNA IS AND ALWAY WILL BE ABOUT HAVING A GOODTIME AND EXPRESSING YOURSELF"
Posted by: Bosie | Apr 29, 2008 6:00:13 PM
Descent album. There are some great “deep cuts” on it. “Incredible “is a phenomenal and innovative track.
I will echo several critics and fan thoughts by saying, imaging how good the album would have been if LCD Soundsystem's James Murphy produced it.
Also, I must agree with the Pitchfork Review. "Madonna's phrasing on Hard Candy is frequently dreadful-- words so evenly spaced and emphasized that it sounds like she's reading aloud to a class --words so evenly spaced and emphasized that it sounds like she's reading aloud to a class. Or teaching you the choruses: You won't get "Miles Away" out of your head in a hurry but that's less to do with its quality than the didactic way she delivers it. Her biggest misstep is "Heartbeat"-- lyrics deliberately reminiscent of "Into the Groove" but sung so detached you might as well be at a Madonna Studies lecture.
She’s still got a real winner on her hands. I can’t wait to hear the rock version of “Hung Up” tomorrow night. That has me more excited than “Hard Candy.”
Posted by: Rock The Spot | Apr 29, 2008 6:00:48 PM
loves me some madge, but i do not want to hear about a 50 year old woman's sticky, sugary vagina.
Posted by: brad | Apr 29, 2008 6:10:16 PM
You know I do not own this cd yet; however, it is on order, but for me being a fitness instructor and having heard some remixes of the "yet to be released" cd...I love what I have heard.
I was not a huge Madonna, but I do own most of her stuff. I am impressed by someone who has her longevity and keeps creating something that is new and fresh. Working with Timbaland and JT and Pharrel is the thing to do right now. She knows what sells.
I don't know if the trend is going to continue, but at least when I go to club and Madonna is played it makes me feel good and ready to get out there on the dance floor. and that is all it there is to it.
I love the fact that this woman, who is near 50 can still crank out a best selling album, be a mother, have a hot husband, and puts all of these 20 something to shame.
She truly is an artist and an icon.
Posted by: Paul | Apr 29, 2008 6:21:32 PM
I love the new Madonna album, her last few albums have been to message oriented (even "Confessions on a Dancefloor"). "Hard Candy" has actually become my favorite Madonna album of all time (a position long held by "Erotica").
Posted by: Riky | Apr 29, 2008 7:34:02 PM
Confessions was Madonna at her level best. Hard Candy is just crap. It's not a "grow-er" or a "show-er."
"Candy Store?" I'm embarrassed FOR Madonna. It's easily the worst song she's ever recorded.
More and more she seems somewhat out of breath... trying to keep up with everyone else. She used to be truly innovative, but Hard Candy is a hodge podge of non-complementary styles.
That being said, the new Portishead is KILLER.
Posted by: theo | Apr 29, 2008 7:40:54 PM
LOVE HARD CANDY! It is Madonna's best album to date. When I first listened I scratched my head and was like...ummm...not so sure about this but after playing it through twice in it's entirety it is so simple it is genius. LOVE the bass, the simple (non-political) lyrics, the collaborations.
Posted by: WickedGayBlog.com | Apr 29, 2008 7:43:04 PM
Forget Hard Candy, Santogold's debut is bananas. Much more poppy that I anticipated, and less like M.I.A than I was led to believe, it's freakin' amazing.
Posted by: danieljosef | Apr 29, 2008 7:47:21 PM
I like it, but not as much as "Confessions", cause I don't think anyone could ever top "Hung Up" as an all-around great song to exercise, clean, or do anything aerobically to.
I'm listening to (and exercising to) "Heartbeat" and "Miles Away" as well as the "4 minutes". I also like "Devil wouldn't Recognize You"
Madonna's music makes you feel good. That's why I love her. I've also been to a several clubs and have heard a lot of remixes already, and have been in a very happy place dancing to her with my boyfriend.
She RULES.
Posted by: Chad | Apr 29, 2008 8:26:03 PM
I just saw Portishead perform at Coachella over the weekend. They were *amazing*! I haven't heard the album yet, but if it is anything like their set at Coachella, it will be on everyone's 'Best of' list.
Posted by: peterparker | Apr 29, 2008 9:28:24 PM
Santogold grew up in Philadelphia, but she is Brooklyn-based.
Posted by: Norman | Apr 29, 2008 9:59:21 PM
Looking forward more to the new Portisshead than the new Madge, although I'm getting both. Ironically, both Beth and Madonna sang backup on Annie Lennox's criminally-not-a-#1-single "Sing" last year.
Posted by: matt | Apr 29, 2008 10:12:56 PM
Madonna could release a recording of her playing Tennessee spoons on Guy Ritchie's bald pate and it would sell.
Personally, I'm not feeling her latest album, except maybe the Paul Oakenfold remix of Give It 2 Me. The rest of it is blah.
Posted by: Tim | Apr 29, 2008 10:38:19 PM
I adore this album !
But then again, I am a true fan and don't look for meaning in Pop Music, like some of the posters here.
What do the lyrics mean?
Say what ?
Funny!
Posted by: Marc | Apr 29, 2008 11:17:59 PM
Folks, let's not overthink it. It's just Madonna doing something safe and fun, the least she could do for a record label left in the dust. Truly, if you can't have fun listening to this album just move on.
Which brings me to my next point: You all really should check out Robyn and Santogold. In with the old and in with the new. These two releases are in many ways miles above Hard Candy (no disrespect) and should not be overlooked. I can not recommend them enough.
Posted by: ROB | Apr 29, 2008 11:37:58 PM