Jim34
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Posts posted by Jim34
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14 hours ago, V.K said:
Madonna right now is at her most inspiring . Literally every sour bitch , including "fans " of this disposition is telling her to stop or do it some other way , they're spreading lies , try to re-write history , projecting their most personal fears on her, misunderstanding her work or deliberately misinterpreting it , is talked about with disdain ,disgust and disbelief ALL the time... and she keeps going !
I'm tired just listing these things , I don't know how she does it , she seems superhuman . I need this right now, someone to look up to for perseverance ( and as the song goes , it is indeed increasingly hard to find someone to admire ) . I love and respect this woman from the depths of my heart . Madame X is a teacher ( and great achievement of a record ) .
Well said. I couldn't agree more. I'm so happy that she is still around us and keeps inspiring us.
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6 hours ago, Lolo said:
There’s a special feature in Zeit Magazin
OMG can't wait!
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The album gets better and better with each listen! What a ride
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1 hour ago, alquemist said:
Don‘t really know where to put this.
Here’s a great German TV report/interview:
Thank you. Great Interview
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3 hours ago, Icykiller said:
I think M got the world used to her experimentations ever since Erotica. Suddenly, in between COAD and HC she switched gears, and appeared to be chasing a True Blue kind of album again: chart-ready behemots and fillers. Sadly the chart toppers never appeared. MX is a very different album to HC, MDNA and RH. She owns the genres she borrows from, which is to me one of her most valuable skills.
You're so right with your last sentence.
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1 hour ago, Wunderkind said:
It’s not even 10 am on a Sunday morning and I’ve already listened to the entire album twice today. And I probably won’t stop all day. This album is almost too good for words. It gets better with each spin an I discover more and more details in this amazing production. It’s so different, daring and divers that I just can’t get over it. This is Madonna at her absolute best! A masterpiece in the 4th decade of her career. Breathtaking.
Absolutely right.
A masterpiece!
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8 hours ago, poprock said:
I can't stop listening to Medellín! It blows my mind that it wasn't a more successful single.
Yes i find that strange too. Medellin has written summer smash all over.
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1 hour ago, sotos8 said:
Madonna’s “Madame X” is number 1 on iTunes and on Amazon’s digital music chart thanks to ticket bundling. Every fan who bought a ticket to Madonna’s live show this fall automatically got a download of “Madame X.” The RIAA counts these downloads as sales. Madonna’s pulled this trick before to get a number 1 chart debut for a new recording. Then in the second week, sales drop 80% or more.
This time things may get trickier. “Madame X” is a really bad album, worse than usual in Madonna’s post-career releases. There are no dance songs on “Madame X,” but there’s a lot of political mumbo jumbo. Madonna, like Michael Jackson as he got older, thinks she can save the world. So she sings Hallmark politics about the left and the right, out to please everyone and achieving nothing.
From the sound of “Madame X,” Madonna actually has no ideas. At least when she sang about sex, she was defiant. That always came through. But back then Madonna didn’t have six children- four under the age of 13– who would sing along with her records. Now that she does, it’s a different game. Platitudes are now her business. They’re not even witty, there’s no wordplay.
But then it’s not just that the songs have no coherence lyrically. There’s also just a mess. Many of them are interrupted by strange digressions. “The Nutcracker Suite” pops up in one of them.The songs stop and start. On Wikipedia, her PR says she tried to make a record like “Bohemian Rhapsody.” Whaaaat? The problem, of course, is that unlike Freddie Mercury, Madonna is not a composer. She doesn’t write music. It’s unclear if she writes lyrics, really.
Oh for the days when Madge just worked with real songwriters. They did the heavy lifting, and she presented it in her own form. That’s how we got “Like a Prayer” and “Like a Virgin” and “Vogue.” But she can’t do that now. She can’t expose herself to a collaboration. So she sticks to Mirwais, who’s been there for her during the post-hit period, quietly trying to fashion a whole album out of thin air. I guess you could say they’ve done it again.
Someone clearly hates her! What a stupid article.
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20 minutes ago, Flip The Switch said:
#1 in 54 countries!!!
Good news. Please someone spread this on social media!
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1 hour ago, side_streets said:
Stereogum loves Madame
https://www.stereogum.com/2047120/madonna-madame-x-review/franchises/the-week-in-pop/
One of the best reviews so far. The writer really gets the point and he reviews the music without talking about how appropriate she is now or not. Love the little comparison to David Bowie in terms of the experimental side of the album.
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44 minutes ago, Wunderkind said:
The fact that a the age of 60, with her 14th album, 36 years into her career, she is giving us her what is shaping up to be her most diverse, bold and unique album is just mind blowing. Pop, Reggae, Disco, Trap, House, Latin, R&B, Ballads, Nutcracker sample and god know what else. Vocal styles that are completely new for her, song structures that go off the beaten path, production from minimalist to completely overboard. Nobody even comes close! Friday should be a worldwide holiday to celebrate her brilliance!
Well said!
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8 minutes ago, robster said:
God Control lyrics:
Everybody knows the damn truth
Our nation lied, and lost respect
When we wake up, what can we do
Get the kids ready
Take them to school
Everybody knows they don’t have a chance
To get a decent job
To have a normal life
When they talk reforms, it makes me laugh
They pretend to help, it makes me laugh
I think I understand why people get a gun
I think I understand why we all give up
Every day they have a kind of victory
Loving ourselves, spread everywhere
They say that we need love
But we need more then this(Choir): We lost god control (4x)
This is your wake-up call
I’m like your nightmare
I’m here to start your dayThis is your wake-up call
We don’t have to fall
A new democracy, god and pornographyA new democracy
People think that I’m insane
The only gun is in my brain
Each new birth, it gives me hope
That’s why I don’t smoke that dope
Insane people think I am
Brain inside my only friend
Hope it gives me birth each new
That dope I don’t smoke it’s trueEverybody knows the damn truth
Everybody knows the damn truth, wake upWe got to wake up, wake up, wake up
We need to wake up, wake up, wake upIt’s a hustle, yeah
It’s a hustle
It’s a con
It’s a hustleIt’s a weird kind of energy
A bizarre thing that happens to be
An abnormal fraternity
And I feel more then sympathyWe got to wake up, wake up, wake up
We need to wake up, wake up, wake upPeople think that I’m insane
The only gun is in my brain
Each new birth, it gives me hope
That’s why I don’t smoke that dope
Insane people think I am
Brain inside my only friend
Hope it gives me birth each new
That dope I don’t smoke it’s trueEverybody knows the damn truth
Everybody knows the damn truthWe got to wake up, wake up, wake up
Wake up
Aaaah, aaaah, aaahA new democracy!!!
Everybody knows the damn truth
Our nation lied, we’ve lost respect
When we wake up, what can we do
Get the kids ready
Take them to school
Everybody knows we don’t have a chance
Get a decent job
Have a normal life
When they talk reforms, it makes me laugh
We pretend to help, it makes me laughChoir: We lost god control (repeat)
Wake Up, wake up, wake up, wake up
Thank you!
I can't wait. It's so hard to resist.
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12 minutes ago, FeTuoni said:
It’s a miracle this thing hasn’t leaked yet.
I'm so happy that nothing leaked yet, but I think from now on it's a matter of time.
When do new albums leak? One week prior official release?
I think that some people do have the new album by now it will leak in the next two days.
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I'm curious for the german Rolling Stone and Musikexpress reviews. Normally they focus on the music.
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I can' t wait anymore. This is gonna be an epic album. I love the diversity of the five songs.
Her artistic vision on this album is awesome.
The visuals and the album rollout makes me so excitimg so far.
We are so blessed. She delivers art and vision on every level. That's nearly 40 years into her career.
Who else of the other bitches ? No one will ever come close. Never.
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36 minutes ago, BlondAmbition1990 said:
if she worked so close with the Reporter over months, i don´t get why she does not get the article to read before it´s release
That was my thought too
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17 minutes ago, Kurt420 said:
This is some classic Madonna/Mirwais shit right here!!
I'm blown away by this one. What an absolute mindfuck of a song. This will most definitely not be everyone's cup of tea.....but I think most M fans that like stuff like Mer Girl, Paradise, AL album etc will like this one. Not single material in the slightest so props to her for having the balls to release this (the way it's looking now anyways) as a single.
This is about a million miles away from Bitch I'm Madonna (which I do love too)! I'm simply in awe of her continued ability to change up her sound to the point where it's like listening to a different artist altogether. If it wasn't evident already, this should drive the point home that Madame X isn't necessarily all about that "perfect single". She's going for a vibe here. For years some of her fans have wanted her to release something along the lines of this. Sorry, but even if there is a perfect "disco banger" on the album, quite frankly, I don't think she's that concerned with it. It's not about that this time.
I agree totally. The diversity of the five songs released so far is impressive!
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3 hours ago, Nonoka said:
There's another long German review out by the ZEIT, which is one of the biggest-selling newspapers here. For the people not familiar, it's comparable to the Guardian, leaning a bit on the left side with quite okay and serious journalism (though IMO like most newspapers, declining in quality since the last years, esp in the culture section). Not sure if I should it post it here since it is (surprise surprise) largely negative and they barely talk about the actual songs anyway. It's mostly focused on the clunky lyrics in Killers and her ESC performance again.
It's interesting though like some of the other negative reviews, they just can't help admitting there's something good in there. Calling the album trashy in the headline, but saying that it's at least trash made in the right way. (But then how is it trash??) ...
Oh and they confused songs, talking about M duetting with Maluma on 'I Don't Search I Find'
Speaks boundaries on how much they cared about actually reviewing the album.
The hate she gets from the critics here in Germany is crazy! They tear her and the album in peaces. Quite shocking for me. The critics are out of Control. Like they waited for this moment for years.
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15 hours ago, Herfaceremains said:
Here it is in one post for future readers. I was translating as I read it! Sorry for that!
On killers who are partying you sing “I’ll be Israel if Israel is imprisoned, I’ll be Islam if Islam is attacked”. How should we understand this? That you want to be aligned with minorities?
What Mirwais and I wanted to say with that song is that we don’t see the world as fragmented, but as united. And I’m a part of that world. I’m an aspect of the Universe’s soul. I don’t define myself by categories and labels. But society loves labels and to separate people. Poor people, gay people, Africans. Because it makes us feel safe. What I’m saying in this song is that I’ll be each of the boxes you try to put me in. I’ll put myself on the frontline. I’ll take the hits; the heat...because I’m a citizen of the world and my soul is connected to everyone else’s. Also I’m responsible for everyone and I must take care of them. If someone else suffers, then I suffer. To me a song is an act and a declaration of solidarity.
Mirwais co-produced six (?) songs on this album with you. How was it getting back together?
We never lost touch. It was great to work together again. KWAP was the first song we worked on together. It’s a political song, but everything Mirwais and I do together ends up being political. Because that’s also his way of thinking. The guitar you can hear at the beginning of the track is a sample I took from a fado session. The sound of the guitar is exactly what I wanted. I felt extremely inspired by the melancholy and the feeling of this music, by the sounds of Cesaria Evora, or morna and of Cape Verde. The authenticity of the music I heard in Portugal moved me. I wanted to take this style of music and make it sound more modern. I asked Mirwais: “What do you think you can do with this? Does it inspire you?”...obviously it did!
On Dark Ballet, you sing “your world is full of pain”. Are you no longer part of our world?
I’m not saying that. I’m saying this world where people are governed and dominated by the illusion of celebrity and luck; governed, dominated and enslaved to social media; governed and dominated by people who oppress and discriminate against others...I refuse to be a part of that world. This song was inspired by Joan of Arc and her story. It’s like a crossroads/hybrid: Madame X and JOA come together. I speak her words and her language. I say “I’m not afraid of dying for what I believe in”. And that’s exactly how I feel.
A year ago when Guy O posted a photo to commemorate the 20th anniversary of ROL, you answered “Remember when I was allowed to be creative and didn't have to go to writing camps where people can't stand still for more than 3 minutes.” Did you get to feel like you got to be the visionary this time?
I think you are taking things out of context. (Her publicist intervenes stating the question isn’t clear, and do I have another, but Madonna persists).
I don’t remember exactly what I said at the time, but it definitely wasn’t a criticism of Guy. No one has ever forbidden me from doing anything. People criticize me...sure! But no one has ever impeded my personal vision.
On the other hand, people often warn me: Watch yourself! (She waves her finger as she would to a child being warned)
Do you think this album will shake up/disrupt/disturb the record industry?
That’s not the word I’d use to describe my music: provocative, confrontational, emotional, impassioned. Those are the words I’d use. And inspiring...
In the intro to I Rise you include part of Emma Gonzales’ speech. Do you feel you inspired that generation?
I hope so. It’s certainly my intention. I consider her to be a spokesperson for and a pioneer of her generation. I’m just continuing to do what I’ve always done: fight for women’s rights and human rights in general. I fight for the equality of all.
In Medellin, you reminisce about being 17. What are your feelings about your past? ( I can’t read the words, as they are in the magazine fold...I’ll appropriate as I can)
I think I’ve taken a lot of shit! (Laughs)
I’ve broken down a lot of barriers for women, but I’m always very conscious of the fact that the fight isn’t over. And to be honest, I feel like I’m still fighting for the same things today.
Like A Prayer came out 30 years ago to great controversy. Are you still seeking to create such controversy now?
Honestly when LAP came out I didn’t expect it to be so contentious. What shocked people was me kissing a black saint and dancing in front of burning crosses. They perceived it as sacrilege. I didn’t think for a second that it would be so controversial.
This time, however, I mean to be subversive!
(Apologies as i really am guessing a little of what she says as I can’t see the last words of the sentences).
Provocation has always been a means to spread your message to people on gay rights, women’s rights, against racism...but now it’s the (?) that use provocation....
“Give me an example?”
People like Donald Trump and Marine LePen.
(cannot read all of her words and so I won’t translate for context).
Do you feel connected to your gay fans? What about being a gay icon?
The word icon is one that others can use, but I can’t apply to myself! Do you think I’m an icon?
Is this album an homage to your life in Portugal?
You heard it! You tell me if I made an homage to Portugal and fado...and it’s not just fado either. There are lots of other influences I picked up on while there. But even with other influences, it’s definitely an album that is an expression of my time in Portugal. I have a house there, and I go back often. My son still plays for the football team Benefica. But you know...I live on airplanes. The skies are my home! (Laughs)
I hope my Portuguese is good. I had a great coach. Dino D’Santiago. He helped me a lot and introduced me to excellent musicians. His presence by my side was fundamental to the production of this album!
We are familiar with him. Tell us about your collaboration.
He was a sort of interface. He’s from Cape Verde. Most of the Cape Verdean musicians I worked with didn’t speak any English. He was in the studio with me when we were recording the songs. He would explain what I wanted. He helped me musically to give life to these songs because I didn’t have any other means to communicate with the musicians! We made a song called Funana that will be a bonus cut. I have another song that isn’t on the deluxe edition called Ciao Bella. The singer Kimi Djabate who’s from Guinea-Bissau sings on that track. Dino introduced me to him. When he came to sing on the album he didn’t speak a word of English, only Creole. Dino was the translator and helped me a lot.
When I recorded Killers Who Are Partying and Extreme Occident, which are both definitely morna-influenced, I sent him the tracks. I really wanted his feedback. I wanted to know if he felt the songs were authentic. His approval was important to me.
How did you pick the people you collaborated with? Like Maluma for example.
It happened very organically. All of my collaborations are decided upon meeting people. We share a glass of champagne, we get along well and we talk about what we can accomplish together. To tell you the truth, there’s nothing particularly profound about it...it’s very instinctive. I’m a fan of each person I’ve collaborated with.
You’ve often worked with French people: JPG, JR, Martin Solveig, Mirwais...what links/connects you to them?
Yes! What is this connection to Frenchmen?It’s as if I can’t get rid of them! (Laughs)
They're responsible for my greatest collaborations. Mondino, Gaultier, Mirwais...I think I love them because they’re very...stubborn! They hold strong. The people you mention are also extremely intellectual, extremely creative and very cultured. We have great synergy. (She slams her glass down on the table and yells “Aqua por favor!” Everyone leaps to action. Then she points out a photographer and yells “Who let the paparazzi in? Who are you? Do I know you?!”
The photographer stops, terrorized. “It’s Ricardo, the official photographer of Madonna”, her publicist clarifies. Everyone laughs!
On the album you sing in Spanish and Portuguese. Is that an attempt to challenge the stronghold English has on pop music.
Thats exactly what it is! I like the idea of world music. I hate divisions/compartmentalizing. We don’t want to do it with people, so why would we do it with music? I love turning on the radio in NY and hearing people sing in Spanish, or getting in my car in Lisbon and hearing dancehall or reggaeton. It’s amazing! Stepping away from English is challenging, but you’ll have noticed I love a challenge!
Thank you so much for the translation !
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4 minutes ago, Marcelox said:
OMG can't wait anymore
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7 minutes ago, Fitho said:
In my opinion the best thing for her to do now would be to focus on the 2nd single Crave. The song sounds lovely without being too complicated and it makes the softer side of her come out, which I like a lot. Also, as soneone said her looks in the video and audio are flawless, definitely something that needs to be exposed to the audience now.
Yes!
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Imagine the Medellin BMA perfomance at Eurovision and right after as second song Music with an uplifting perfomance. That would have worked well.
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23 minutes ago, samosamosamo said:
I am enjoying the rollout of music but I feel it's becoming a bit muddy. I would have preferred a two single situation with two videos then all the previews. Medellín could have been pushed more even at Eurovision with Maluma as a hologram maybe. Anyway I'm looking forward to know more about dark ballet
Exactly my thoughts. Imagine the Medellin BMA perfomance at Eurovision and right after as second song Music with an uplifting perfomance. That would have worked.
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6 minutes ago, Andra said:
Darren Hayes is a real fan. I love that he always defends her.
“Extreme Occident” thread
in ARCHIVE - The MADAME X Forum
Posted
Awesome ! thank you for a great remix again. I appreciate your remixes so much. Keep going on