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antoniotorres

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    MADAME X album reviews

    in ARCHIVE - The MADAME X Forum

    Posted

    On 6/12/2019 at 2:49 AM, Eltacubo said:


    Madonna turns ‘secret agent’ with a Latin accent on Madame X Reggaetón meets classical piano and electropop on an eclectic, expansive 14th album Madonna strikes a defiant note with 'Madame X' ©

     

     Since her last truly notable album, 2005’s Confessions on a Dance Floor, Madonna’s records have suffered an uncharacteristic degree of uncertainty. Musical trends have been chased rather than assimilated. She has tried to project both vulnerability and indomitability. The best-selling female performer in pop history has lost her old aura of invincibility and come to seem fallible. Against this backdrop, Madame X strikes a defiant note. “I’ve got the right to choose my own life,” she announces. While it is hard to imagine anyone depriving one of the wealthiest women in US music of that right, at least she exercises it boldly on her 14th album. Although it has a scattershot quality, the scattering is done with a devil-may-care bravado. There is a prominent Latin influence to the music, partly derived from the singer relocating to Lisbon so her son, David, could pursue a football career. Several songs find her singing in Portuguese, and there is the occasional hint of fado amid the contemporary pop production. “Batuka” ditches chart music entirely in favour of a traditional style from the Cape Verde Islands, a former Portuguese colony, in which Madonna and a choir warn of “a storm ahead” over an insistent percussive groove. Other Latin-influenced songs coincide with current pop trends, genres such as reggaetón having crossed over into non-Spanish-speaking markets in recent years. “Medellín” and “Bitch I’m Loca” pair her with Colombian singer Maluma: both achieve an entertaining union between her and his musical worlds. There is a well-worked dancehall flavour to “Future”, in which she is joined by Quavo, a member of rap group Migos, while a duet with another US rapper, Swae Lee, has a sweetly understated feel. The album’s main producer is Mirwais Ahmadzaï, who contributed to Confessions on a Dance Floor and co-produced 2000’s Music and 2003’s American Life. He helms the house-music track “I Don’t Search I Find”, a throwback to the days when Madonna’s musical choices followed a clearer, more certain path. “Dark Ballet”, which Mirwais has also produced, shows how far she has strayed from that path. The song illustrates the confusing concept behind Madame X, whose title, according to Madonna, refers to a multi-dimensional alter ego: “Madame X is a secret agent. Travelling around the world. Changing identities. Fighting for freedom,” and so on. In “Dark Ballet”, this chameleonic character sketch translates into eccentric musical segues between classical piano and Kraftwerk-style electronic pop, with Madonna singing about how “I can dress like a boy, I can dress like a girl”. No, me neither. Trying to be something to everyone has been Madonna’s Achilles heel over the past decade. During the odder moments of Madame X, she actively flaunts that heel, as with the universalising phrases uttered in “Killers Who Are Partying” (“I will be poor if the poor are humiliated . . . I will be Islam if Islam is hated”). These tracks bring a disjointed feel to the album, but also an unfettered and expansive sensibility. That is the “X” factor that elevates it above its immediate predecessors. ★★★☆☆ ‘Madame X’ is released on June 14 on Live Nation/Interscope/Maverick

    I agree, this reads more  like 4 stars. Odd they gave it 3!

    MTV video premiere of “Medellín”

    in ARCHIVE - The MADAME X Forum

    Posted

    2 minutes ago, Ven Conmigo said:

    MTV really should’ve made it a one hour special. A half hour slot wasn’t enough to interview her with a nearly 7 minute video and the commercial break. We will get a bunch of interviews in the coming weeks that will let her talk more freely in great detail. Anyway, I loved the video! This will go on to be her first Billion viewed video on YouTube! 

    Love this comment! I'm glad we are of the same mind!

    MTV video premiere of “Medellín”

    in ARCHIVE - The MADAME X Forum

    Posted

    Very cool video! Love the quintessential confession in the intro. I love the fact she said, she is going back to being naive. Naive in the sense she doesn't care what anyone thinks, not worrying about the reaction. Just throwing caution to the wind, referencing her early years!. This is the Madonna I love. Oh, I must say she looked gorgeous, wow, I want to look that good at 60!  

     

    Boston September 26

    in ARCHIVE - Madonna

    Posted

    Let me say I'm sorry in advance if I disclose something already stated!

    I am from Boston.

    The time I had last night was incredible!

    I deliberately didn't read anything before hand because I wanted to be surprised!

    And delightfully surprised I was.

    From what I call the 'Last Supper' coupled with the Showgun Japanese costume first act,

    which she sang 'True Blue' I nearly pissed in my pants.

    Never imagined that song would ever appear on a set list.

    The Boston crowd went nuts! As we always do! We always show big Love!

    Then onto the Latin themed 'Dress You Up' following 'La Isla Bonita' that worked wonderfully.

    Another gem didn't think she would sing again.

    I had excellent seats.

    The second row of what's called Lodge which is basically a step above the floor seats.

    I can clearly see everyone on the floor and a clear view of the rebel heart sword stage at the end.

    Now, normally I'm on the floor this time I decided to be in the Lodge out of curiosity.

    Silly me I could have been along side the stage and possibly shook hands.

    But,oh well I still had great seats and a wonderfully view and I could see her clearly.

    I'm just a step up and looking down at the floor seated folks and looking clear out the stage.

    Although, I did think it was odd that she played select songs(Messiah,S.E.X. I think it was) and had the dancers performed choreographed routine to the track while she's changing.

    Normally there is a great video interlude and/or original music specially created for the show,

    which the dancers would perform. Another oddity the inclusion of 'Candy Shop' & a bizarre french intro to

    'Music' thankfully it launches into the original version. I don't think a 'Music' rearrangement would work.

    Not bad just odd,delightfully.

    Another great highlight when she incorporated 'Love Doesn't Live Hear Anymore' with 'Heartbreak City'

    which she performs on the steps. Wonderful vocal performance. Yes,she was singing. And she did

    vocal acrobats to showcase she was singing! Oh My God!!

    Could anyone imagine hear performing that oldie? No!

    She,said she wanted to surprise everyone. Well she did with a fabulous setlist to boot.

    The imagery is always wonderful and the bendable poles with the dancers atop

    will blow your mind!! Now coupled with,like i said before

    one of the best setlist of all her tours.

    From,the resurfacing of another gem 'Who's that Girl' albeit guitar driven.

    To the return of both 'Material Girl' during that dazzling Art Deco last act and the 'Holiday' Encore.

    The Rebel Heart Tour, I bet the fans will rank as one of her best!

    I know I do!

    New York Times: Growing Older with Madonna

    in ARCHIVE - Madonna

    Posted

    "It’s relentless: the awkward onstage kiss with Drake, the topless shot in Interview magazine, the strenuous demonstrations of libido."

    Seriously - she refers to Madonna's sexual expression as "strenuous". Something tells me if that if Madonna were thirty years younger, the demonstrations of libido would not be called "strenuous" but instead "empowering" or something of the like. When Madonna does it, suddenly it's desperate and inappropriate. The author is doing NOTHING to combat this idea in the article, and instead perpetuates these ageist beliefs.

    Look, if you liked the article, I'm happy for you. It did say some very positive things about Madonna and I did find myself nodding along in agreement at many parts. But don't let that confuse you into thinking the whole article is without flaws, because it's not. You can acknowledge that it's problematic even though some of the insights were nice and very favorable (I really liked the bit where the author talked about their experience interviewing M). It doesn't have to be one or the other.

    I Agree,we have a difference of opinion. I am not confused or manipulated by her writing. I can admit it seems contradictory in spots. Overall,Unlike you, I don't see her writing style as a not so disguised putdown with compliments sprinkled on top to mask it! Simply challenging your own beliefs isn't perpetuating anything.

    It has always been Madonna's theme to challenge and defy. The writer acknowledges that. Madonna has marveled the world for more than 30 years and help move the culture forward. And it looks like Madonna will continue to defy and have the world mesmerized and help move the culture forward right to the end. That is the overall and undeniable theme of the article.

    New York Times: Growing Older with Madonna

    in ARCHIVE - Madonna

    Posted

    It said some very nice things about Madonna to be sure, but that doesn't mean it wasn't being ignorant at the same time (and it was).

    My brain is functioning fine, and throwing in a bunch of praises is not going to make me overlook the parts where the author called her embarrassing and relentlessly trying to act young. That's no different than the narrative being spewed by the rest of the ageist media and you don't get to get away with it by saying she has a strong voice (even though that is a nice compliment).

    The author does not call Madonna embarrassing and relentlessly trying to act young. He was challenging his own views on ageism and upon reflection acknowledges Madonna has indeed been a cultural force challenging societies view on ageism and will continue do that right to the end!!!

    New York Times: Growing Older with Madonna

    in ARCHIVE - Madonna

    Posted

    Like many,my initial impression was can anyone write an article on Madonna without the ageist references?

    Then I thought that would be dishonest because society is incredibly ageist especially when it

    comes to women. Then I re-read this article closely and I have concluded this is a good article that acknowledges the ageism and points out quite clearly Madonna has navigated that pretty well with a few missteps.

    I,to am glad the writer points out Madonna has manage to defy conventional wisdom at every turn. And rightfully acknowledges her voice. Which is stronger than ever. Usually the voice diminishes as you get older.

    Her impressive physical shape.

    And states she will probably continue to defy right to the end!

    Ultimately making it easier for women coming up behind her!

    A good article!! :)

    Bitch I'm Madonna video. Acclaimed viral SMASH!

    in ARCHIVE - The REBEL HEART Forum

    Posted

    Here in Boston on my local Boston top40 station. Some over 60s asshole who does the weekend countdown show.

    Mentioned the alleged feud between Taylor Swift & Madonna. And Madonna was going to address it in her video for Bitch,I'm Madonna! He did say it's probably untrue and Madonna was milking this to get attention because 'lets face it no one is interested in Madonna's music,these days' When he said that I nearly broke the damn radio. Hear we go with the haters,who can't help themselves! Then I checked the video views Madonna has well over 9.3 Million. And was put at ease.

    That's a lot of views in barely 3 days for an act not on the radio and nobody cares about these days!

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