Reviewed May 05, 2008
Madonna Hard Candy
by Ron Hollywood

produced by Madonna, Justin Timberlake, The Neptunes, Timbaland, and Danja

After the success of Music and Confessions On The Dancefloor it looks like Madonna has scored yet another success at least musically with her latest and 11th album Hard Candy. There are so many musical moments that are reminiscent of her glory days in the 80’s that this album will please old fans more than anything she’s released since Like A Prayer.

Madonna also expresses herself in pure sexuality on the song Candy Shop with lyrics “I’ll be your one stop (one stop) / Candy store (candy store) Lollipop (lollipop) / Have some more (have some more) / Sticky and Sweet My sugar is raw / Sticky and Sweet My sugar is raw Dance Dance Dance / See which flavor you like and I’ll have it for you / Come on in to my store / I’ve got candy galore / Come to my shop I’ve got plenty of Candy in abundance”. She’s telling the truth. Not only are there Pharrell Williams produced beats there’s an outro rap too. Then there’s that slick duet with Justin Timberlake on 4 Minutes. Later on they duet again on Dance 2night.

Hard Candy is a trendy urban dance party full of great production of infectious grooves, dance floor beats, hand claps, definite urban feel plus duets with Justin Timberlake, Pharell Williams, and Kanye West. With all that going on it’s just one highlight after another. I must also agree with so many others that at times it seems like Madonna is taking a backseat to the guests on her album. One of my favorites Beat Goes On with Kanye West has lyrics that describe the album on a whole, “Say what you like / Do what you feel You know exactly who you are / The time is right now / You got to decide Stand in the back or be the star / So get down, beep beep, gotta get up outta your seat (Here comes, my hand) / Get down, beep beep, gotta get up outta your seat (Take it, you can)” There’s nothing very introspective but with madonna it just about having fun, having sex, and getting onto the dancefloor.

The absolute worst song and not just on Hard Candy but I mean one of the worst I’ve ever heard from her is the awful mess of Spanish Lesson. Not even worthy of being a B-side.

Madonna has every right to proclaim herself as she sings on She’s Not Me, “She doesn’t have my name, she’ll never have what I have. She’s not me and never will be.” Who could be? No one, because with this album she truly is the queen of dance music. Excuse me it’s time for me to go now and get up on the dance floor.

1. “Candy Shop” (P. WIlliams, Madonna) – 4:16 2. “4 Minutes” (Madonna, T. Mosley, J. Timberlake, N. Hills) – 4:04 3. “Give It 2 Me” (P. WIlliams, Madonna) – 4:48 4. “Heartbeat” (P. WIlliams, Madonna) – 4:04 5. “Miles Away” (Madonna, T. Mosley, J. Timberlake, N. Hills) – 4:49 6. “She’s Not Me” (P. WIlliams, Madonna) – 6:05 7. “Incredible” (P. WIlliams, Madonna) – 6:20 8. “Beat Goes On” (P. WIlliams, Madonna, K. West) – 4:27 9. “Dance 2night” (Madonna, T. Mosley, J. Timberlake, H. Lane) – 5:03 10. “Spanish Lesson” (P. WIlliams, Madonna) – 3:38 11. “Devil Wouldn’t Recognize You” (Madonna, T. Mosley, J. Timberlake, N. Hills, J. Henry) – 5:09 12. “Voices” (Madonna, T. Mosley, J. Timberlake, N. Hills, H. Lane) – 3:39

total running time 56:13

Other reviews
Previously: Mariah Carey E=MC2
Next: 3 Doors Down

Your Comments

Name		Remember
E-mail
Website
Message
	Textile Help