Madonna - Hard Candy (Re-Reviewed)

The reason why I am re-reviewing Madonna's most recent album 'Hard Candy' is because the more I listen to it the more I have different opinions on the album. And those opinions are more positive than before. This album must be re-listened to to get the full effect. It must have taken me at least 5 or 6 more listen's for me to really start to like it. For example some tracks which I could not stand (ex. Incredible) before are starting to be some of my favorites. Before some of my favorite track's included 4 Minutes, Beat Goes On and Miles Away. But now they also include Incredible, The Devil Wouldn't Recognize You and Heartbeat. This album is like a fine wine, give it time and this album will turn into a whole new experience.

Rating: Lyrics: 35/40 (Growing On Me More And More...)

Tunefulness: 45/50 (Those annoying beat's I mentioned before are slowly becoming my favorites)

Originality: 8/10 (Hip-Hop a la Madonna)

Overall: 88/100 (One of most enjoyable Madonna album's)

*I know I will probably lose all my credibility for rating Madonna's album 1 point less than Death Cab for Cutie. But these are two completely different genre's and cannot be compared. You cannot judge a book by it's cover so gice this album a chance

And the #1 Album in the World Is...

Madonna's album 'Hard Candy' has topped the United World Chart. Her album also topped the chart's in 27 contries around the world. This album has also put Madonna in a select few group of legend's to have 10 number 1 albums in the U.K. . It also became her 7th #1 album in the U.S. behind Barbra Streisand as far as female musicians with most #1 albums. In just one week the album has been certified Gold in Canada, France, Finland, Belgium, Austrailia and Denmark. It has been certified platinum in Netherlands so far. Here is the complete United World Chart Top 10:

1. Madonna - Hard Candy (758,000)
2. Portishead - Third (204,000)
3. Mariah Carey - E=MC2 (169,000)
4. Leona Lewis - Spirit (166,000)
5. Amy Winehouse - Back To Black (117,000)
6. Duffy - Rockferry (114,000)
7. Lyfe Jennings - Lyfe Change (80,000)
8. Def Leppard - Songs From The Sparkle Lounge (76,000)
9. R.E.M. - Accelerate (71,000)
10. Mana - Arde El Cielo (69,000)

'Hard Candy' Fever Worldwide!

In just one day of release in some of Europe Madonna's lastest album 'Hard Candy' has sold 15,000 copies in Finland making it Gold on it first day of release. And in the Netherlands it has sold 50,000 making it Platinum on it first day of release. And that's only some of Europe. Still coming are the big markets like America, Canada, U.K. and Japan! Congrats Madonna!

Madonna - Hard Candy (*EXCLUSIVE REVIEW*)

It's finally here! One of the most anticipated commercial albums of the year. So does it live up to the anticipation? Yes and no, but mostly yes. But old Madonna fan's rejoice it's not as hip-hoppy as some expected. If I could explain it without using the whole page it would be Holiday with a little hip-hop/R&B flavor mixed in. Although some tracks fall short (Spanish Lessons and Incredible) most of the album is enjoyable and catchy. The highlight of the album is defiantly 'Miles Away', it a mid-tempo song with some great production from Timbaland and great lyrics. Some other note worthy tracks are 'Candy Shop', 'Beat Goes On' featuring Kanye West and 'Give It 2 Me'. My only criticism of the album is some of the beats are fairly annoying. A prime example of this is 'Give It 2 Me' (although the rest of the track is pretty good). It may not not be a classic Madonna record but it is a pretty good record that I think you should take a listen to.
Rating: Lyrics: 33/40 (Not as good as some of her older records but pretty good)

Tunefulness: 43/50 (As previously stated some annoying beats but overall pretty darn good)

Originality: 9/10 (Not as I expected, not your average hip-hop record as it looks on paper)

Overall: 85/100 (A pretty good effort)

Take a listen to my favorite track 'Miles Away':

4 Minutes (To Save The World) - Madonna Feat. Justin Timberlake & Timbaland Review

If you would have told me when 'Confessions ...' came out that Madonna would be releasing a hip-hop album in 2008 I would have said you were crazy. Why? Because it's something completely different from what Madonna has tried in the past. Like Dr. Phil says "the best indicator of future behaviour is past". But I guess Dr. Phil is wrong in this situation. Although Madonna has dipped here and there in hip-hop it never became a main focus of an album. But judging from this single '4 Minutes' it should have been. This single is infectious. But when I first heard it I admit I was disappointed. But after a few listens you can't stop listening to it. The horns in the background just give it that extra something that brings it over the edge. If Madonna continues with this catchy hip-hop for this album it will be one for the ages.

Rating: 4.5/5