vocalism

Me too. Part of it must be ignorance. Surely she couldn't have expected MDNA to do as badly as it did, especially worldwide. Maybe Guy convinced her that her success had less to do with Warner Bros. that it actually did and that she could continue on name recognition alone. Sadly, based on what she's said in interviews and such, I think she probably chalks is up to ageism, not terrible management.

The example wasn't great, but iasonas summed it up pretty well. Labels have years/decades building relationships with retail, radio, and press.

The answer/conclusion is simple: If want the support and connections that a record label can provide, you have to have a proper record deal. Period. You can't be Bernie Sanders trying to win the Democratic nomination and act surprised that the party isn't supporting you. Maybe that's not a great analogy, but it's the first thing I thought of. It might not seem fair, but that's the way the world works.

https://media.giphy.com/media/jShr8wkP38XTO/giphy.gif

Disappointing how hands off she seems to have been on MDNA. I really like that album.

She also didn't play an instrument, which automatically leads to the perception that you don't actually write music, etc. I honestly find it hilarious how surprised these producers always sound. I guess nobody actually reads these interviews except fans. I hope that having him tour with her is a sign that she liked him and will maybe work with him again.

I much prefer this version to the album version. Really cool/interesting production. I think the final version is too overworked. I don't mind the rap per se, but I do like the instrumental break on this version. The first demo is a total cheesefest. The darker production was the way to go.

I think 2018 is realistic. And I think my hope for a shorter, more focused album could be possible given that RH was such a big production in terms of time and the number of collaborators. Also, I think one of the reasons the wait between albums feels especially long is that she stopped releasing singles from soundtracks and compilations in between. We had: WTG soundtrack and YCD compilation between TB and LAP IB, TIC, and "This Used to Be My Playground" between LAP and Erotica "I'll Remember" and "Goodbye to Innocence" between Erotica and BS STR, "Freedom," and Evita between BS and ROL "Beautiful Stranger," Ricky Martin duet, and TNBT soundtrack between ROL and Music "Die Another Day" between Music and AL That's when things started to slow down. At least we got Celebration between HC and MDNA, but otherwise she's been very quiet between releases. I guess we can just be happy for the leaks?

True, but that was long after most publications released their Best of 2014 lists, and what little impact LFL did have, it had in 2015.

I do want a new album and I hope she goes in the opposite direction in terms of scope. RH was big, long, and (too?) ambitious. I'd like to see something simple - 10 or 11 songs, one or two producers. Give it 2 me!

Torn between Blond Ambition and Girlie Show. BA is obviously iconic, and she was at a creative/commercial peak at that time. But part of me wants to say GS because that was the first tour I COULD have gone to and almost did but tragically both opportunities fell through. Would be great to finally experience that.

This is the album I wish she'd released (considering only officially released songs/versions): Living for Love Devil Pray Ghosttown Illuminati Joan of Arc HeartBreakCity Body Shop Inside Out Wash All Over Me Best Night Messiah Rebel Heart Borrowed Time (Bonus Track) Graffiti Heart (Bonus Track) I do like a few of the other tracks, but I just think a shorter, more serious album would have been extremely well-received.

My thoughts on this haven't changed much since 1995. I remember (at 16 years old) thinking that BS could be a hit, especially since she was coming off her longest running #1 in the U.S. ever. I think she felt confident after being back on top and decided to release a song she obviously loved and thought was cool (it was obvious to me that if Erotica hadn't "underperformed" she might have released an album entirely like BS, as she loved Nellee Hooper's work and Bjork's album). Then it flopped. And my thoughts on what happened next haven't changed much either. I've always thought "Forbidden Love" would have been the best/safe choice to follow-up TAB, or "Don't Stop," which was getting airplay in some smaller markets. But I think instead of playing it safe, she said "Fuck it" and went with "Human Nature" as a sort of "Fuck you" and to close the chapter on the Sex era. We got two great singles (and videos) out of it, but I do think she could have scored one or two more bona fide hits from that album (and sold at least another million CDs) had she played it safe. Anyway, that's my take.

The artwork is fun. The rest of the project was totally botched, from the typos in the liner notes, the subpar new songs, the bad edits, flop singles in place of #1 songs, etc.