MDNA Press Reviews

[Guest groovyguy]

http://www.ptitblog.net/Madonna/madonna-retour-a-un-son-plus-traditionnel-avec-mdna_art7033.html

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Madonna: return to a more traditional'' with'' MDNA

This is one of the musical events of the year than the new album from Madonna. Not easy to endure, to reinvent itself when you have a rich career behind, to persist when other Lady Gaga - Rihanna - Katy Perry played on the same ground as you continue to be a trend in industry is constantly changing .

Yet this is the year that passed with Madonna's new album "MDNA" just out in stores. Launched with great fanfare sound clips, the album peaked already at the top of the charts in 41 countries, replacing the Madonna in the center of all discussions.

"MDNA" is the brainchild of several renowned producers such as Martin Solveig, Benny Benassi, Alle Benassi, William Orbit or Demacio Castellon. Each bringing his paw necessarily the pieces are felt and proved to be quite different. The shading is a more raw, more aggressive at times, that Madonna will perform at its next tour.

The album opens with "Girls Gone Wild" as a decidedly dance that serves as the second single from the album. A very catchy song with catchy chorus. Nothing new in the sound, we find here the codes of the singer, but one feels again his desire to make us move. It happens on "Gang Bang", a title so different from anything the star was able to do. Our favorite piece also. A popping sound, aggressive beats, a song worthy of the darkest nights and a desire to vulgos Madonna on the end of the song. A feast for the ears!

The song "I'm Addicted" might sound like a remix of "Vogue", then again nothing new. A except that the rhythm is very catchy and the song well calibrated for the dancefloors. A piece that could easily serve as the third single. "Turn Up the Radio" is in the same line, mid-tempo for the rhythm, and also very electro. It really is an album built for clubs like the star wanted.

"Give Me All Your Luvin '" is the first official single from the album, which Madonna has added the voice of MIA and Nicki Minaj, for a playful song, catchy, dance and again cut to the scene. This refrain from cheerleader is sure to make us dance at its next tour. One of the best songs on the album, produced by Martin Solveig, reflecting on the rest of the cake.

"Some girls" could be closer to a "Gang Bang", also very electro. A raw, jerky, that showcases the instrumental, giving some relief to the song. "Superstar" is along the same lines, always in the mid-tempo pace. A nice title but does not stand out more than that of the rest.

"I Do not Give A" has a nice rhythm, with a rather unstructured. A very crude piece again where one could almost believe that the star is fun to do a rap. Some passages are even thinking about "American Life" on the end. Nicki Minaj found before the Madonna says "There's only one Queen and that's Madonna, Bitch!" ... the message is passed!

"I'm A Sinner" is a very dance piece, which also looks like some old producer of the singer. A piece that we owe to William Orbit, who signs the tubes for Britney Spears, U2, Katie Melua and Madonna herself. For "Love Spent": do not believe in letting you Wild West influenced by the banjos in the title. A mid-tempo song again, the catchy refrain. The end of the song turns out to be the most interesting by her side more punchy percussion and well promoted.

Turning now to the magnificent "Masterpiece": the song had been leaked a few weeks before the release of "MDNA". The main reason is that the title is part of the soundtrack of "We", Madonna's new film, due in theaters in May. The song has all our favors and proves to be a beautiful ballad in the tradition of a "Frozen" with this very melancholy aspect of Madonna. A facet that we know little and which is in any case a fine echo in music.

The album ends with the beautiful "Falling Free," also a ballad, which highlights the sweet and warm voice of Madonna. The presence of strings on the song gives it a hovering. Very nice end to this musical journey smooth.

For the Deluxe version, five new titles are to be discovered. A brief overview of these titles, first with "Beautiful Killer", a dance piece that gives punch to the album and balances with the two previous ballads. "I Fucked Up" is itself a bit slow on the verses and faster on the chorus. As a mid-tempo that ensures the cake its good balance of dance tracks and ballads.

With "B-Day Song" Madonna opens her jukebox and takes us through the years Elvis. A decidedly retro piece that immerses us in an American restaurant tyique and you can see the ground from there to black and white tiles and frenzied dance steps on the dancefloor. "Best Friend" one of the best bits again, you easily guess the title thème.Un very electronic with beats that punctuate the piece, before exploding in your ears on the chorus. This side gives a jerky feel like moving again.

It ends with the Party Rock Remix of "Give Me All Your Luvin '" that Madonna had used during the American Super Bowl and adding parts and appliances very pleasant with the featuring of California LMFAO. This is the explosion in the ears and the song is even more delicious in this remixed version.

In the end, Madonna returns to her roots with a more raw, less R & B and more electronic. Can be closer to the star running out of inspiration and creativity for the new album, but what she does she does well and what is ultimately what we ask. The album is very pleasant and no doubt he will propose a Madonna show up to the expectations and break new records in coming months.

As a reminder, here is the album cover and tracklist of the album 'MDNA':

Standard Edition:

1 - Girls Gone Wild

2 - Gang Bang

3 - I'm Addicted

4 - Turn Up The Radio

5 - Give Me All Your Luvin '

6 - Some Girls

7 - Superstar

8 - I Do not Give A

9 - I'm A Sinner

10 - Love Spent

11 - Masterpiece

12 - Falling Free

Deluxe version:

13 - Beautiful Killer

14 - I Fucked Up

15 - B-Day Song

16 - Best Friend

17 - Give Me All Your Luvin '(LMFAO Remix)

The star will also be back in France on the occasion of his world tour for two special shows: July 14 at the Stade de France on August 21 at the Stade Charles Ehrmann, Nice.

[Carta]

I like the opening of the album till the middle. The rest is full of ballads. Not even a dance song in between of them. It's boring to listen to 6 ballad/mild songs all together that's what I mean. And some of them are not good songs for my taste

I'm assuming (and hoping!) that someone has already pointed out later in this thread the existence of the "shuffle" function on MP3 players and Discmans...?! Perhaps you'd like the album better if you listened to it this way

[Guest groovyguy]

Madonna ‏ @Madonna_Quote

"In the end, it's the people that you reach with your work that matters. Not what someone's written in a newspaper" #Madonna

[Guest groovyguy]

http://madonnalicious.typepad.com/madonnalicious/

UK Magazines: 'Q'

The May 2012 issue of UK music magazine 'Q' features Madonna on the cover to illustrate an article about 'the real best of' - A greatest hits album can never truly capture what makes the very best bands so magnificent.

[Louise Oriole]

When are they going to add the Billboard review and the Q one? If they were horrible, they probably would have been added the day they came out.

[Ai Papi Si.]

When are they going to add the Billboard review and the Q one? If they were horrible, they probably would have been added the day they came out.

Any1 got a link to the Billboard?

[Guest groovyguy]

Any1 got a link to the Billboard?

Link to BB: http://www.billboard.com/features/one-direction-up-all-night-track-by-track-1006388352.story#/new-releases/madonna-mdna-track-by-track-review-1006416552.story

For easy reference, all the links are posted/updated on Post #1 on the first page.

[Ai Papi Si.]

Oh, that's the track by track, not the official one, I guess that one remains to be released. Thank you though, Groovyguy.

[Guest groovyguy]

Oh, that's the track by track, not the official one, I guess that one remains to be released. Thank you though, Groovyguy.

Is there an official BB review? I'd thought that the track-by-track review was the official one.

[Case39]

The Billboard and Q reviews are STILL not added??? WTF is wrong with Metacritic

[vocalism]

Track-by-track previews aren't considered real reviews.

[Guest groovyguy]

http://www.courierpress.com/news/2012/apr/02/tuned-madonnas-complicated-dna-explored-mdna/

Tuned In: Madonna's complicated DNA explored on 'MDNA'

By CHUCK CAMPBELL / Scripps Howard News Service

Posted April 2, 2012 at 12:59 p.m.

"MDNA," Madonna (Boy Toy/Live Nation/Interscope)

For decades, Madonna outlasted her career life expectancy by reinventing herself with each new project.

Those days are over, and "MDNA" best exemplifies what Madonna has become: a giant, Thing-like artist who is a culmination of her past personas. She's got "True Blue" sweetness, "Frozen" drama, "Express Yourself" self-assuredness, "Who's That Girl?" goofiness, "Evita" sobriety and more.

Outsiders show up directly and indirectly on "MDNA." The singer's '80s rival Cyndi Lauper gets a nod with a "Girls just wanna have fun" line in the festive abandon of "Girl Gone Wild." And Madonna's ex, director Guy Ritchie, gets obvious ribbing in the recurring themes of anger and regret, as on the hypnotic, deep-grooving "Gang Bang" that is staged like a cheesy, violent Ritchie film, with Madonna herself pulling the trigger. "MDNA's" guests include omnipresent rapper Nicki Minaj, bratty electro icon M.I.A. and Madonna's daughter Lourdes, who sings backup on a sunny "Superstar" resplendent in "Ooh la la's."

Madonna re-enlists her "Ray of Light" producer, William Orbit, for a chunk of songs and parcels out more material to Italian house-music king Benny Benassi and French pop maestro Martin Solveig. The result is contemporary, if not groundbreaking, and dance-perfect apart from noteworthy ballads such as "Masterpiece" and "Falling Free."

Best of all is Madonna herself, channeling all of her multiple personalities to present a peerless, well-rounded pop star.

Rating (five possible): 4

[Guest groovyguy]

http://madonnalicious.typepad.com/madonnalicious/

UK Magazines: 'Look'

UK magazine 'Look' (02 April issue) gives Madonna's 'MDNA' the thumbs-up in a short-but-sweet review.

[SkyHigh76]

http://www.telegram.com/article/20120405/COLUMN17/104059954

Madonna seems out of step on ‘MDNA’

Craig S. Semon

“MDNA” Madonna (Live Nation/Interscope)

L-U-V! Madonna! Y-O-U! You wanna!

Not so much.

Nearly 30 years into her career, the twice divorced single mother of four wants us to believe she’s still an uncontrollable wild child, a bad Catholic school girl, a capricious free spirit and a disco dance-clubbing deliverer who appeals to the gays, straights and social outcasts by preaching the power and the glory of expressing one’s self.

In other words, Madonna wants us to believe that she’s Lady Gaga.

Madonna, who is currently perched upon the top of the Billboard’s Pop Charts, has survived changing musical trends and has outlived most of her original musical rivals. Selling a whopping 300 million-plus albums worldwide, The Material Girl has forged a stellar career out of marginal talent, impeccable timing and uncanny marketing skills. The one thing she cannot compete against is time, and at 53-years-old, it seems like time is starting to catch up to her.

The innocuous but inane dance club thumper, “Girl Gone Wild,” for example, would have been better suited for Britney, Ke$ha or Katy. “Girl Gone Wild” is more a case of Madonna gone mild, or, better yet, mediocre. Her opening Act of Contrition is just that, an act. She’s God awful all right, but not in the way she threatens. On top of that, it sounds a little gauche for “The Queen of Pop” referencing “Girls just wanna have fun,” the signature hit from former rival Cyndi Lauper. It’s like Lady Gaga singing, “I kissed the girl and I liked it.”

The listener learns that hell hath no fury than a Madonna scorned on the over-the-top, Tarantino-esque revenge fantasy (and album standout), “Gang Bang.” And no, this isn’t Madge’s foray into hardcore porn that she’s been teasing us with since she first shook her baby fat while going down the Venice canals in a gondola. In fact, it’s better than that. This is Madonna at her most fierce, fiery and ferocious, as well as her most unapologetic and in your face. As this deliciously depraved damnation ditty progresses, the heavy-duty dubstep beats get more frantic and Madonna’s delivery gets more menacing. It’s enough to make Eminem break out in a cold sweat while wearing his “wife-beater.”

A trippy and trancelike Madonna craftily weaves a faux connection with her newly adopted acronym (and album title) “MDNA” and “MDMA” (aka the illicit rave drug ecstasy) on the habit-forming single, “I’m Addicted.” With its booming bass line, percolating beats, and gurgling synths aplenty, “I’m Addicted” is another readymade club-hopper, where you check your brain, along with your coat, at the door.

“Give Me All Your Lovin’ (or what I like to call the Toni Basil-meets-Gwen Stefani cheerleader chant from hell) features Nicki Minaj and middle-fingerly challenged M.I.A. leading the pep rally cheers in honor of her Madgesty and shooting off a laughably bad and just plain bad, respectively, rap passage. Madonna pontificates, “Don’t play that stupid game/Because I’m a different kind of girl/Every record sounds the same/You gotta step into my world” before incessantly whining, “Give me all your lovin’/Give me your love/Give me all your love today.” While “Give Me All Your Lovin’ ” sounds much better in the context of Madonna’s latest album than it did smacked dabbed in the middle of a nail-biting Super Bowl game, Madonna never gives us a reason why we would want to step into her make-believe world and give her all our loving. Come to think of it, she doesn’t give us a reason why her music is a tasty alternative to today’s monotonous pop music, either.

In the spirit of “Vogue,” Madonna does a rapid-fire name-drop on not one but two numbers, the second more puzzling than the first. On “Superstar,” Madonna seductively coos about a bunch of old fuddy-duddies (including Marlon Brandon, Julius Caesar, Al Capone, James Dean, Michael Jordon, Bruce Lee, Abe Lincoln and John Travolta), most of which are dead and buried (and died tragically) or their best days are far behind them now. Not that she has to sing something on the lines of, “I wanna be your baby mama, Obama” or “Would you be my boy toy, Justin Bieber?” but try to be a little bit current. Two songs later, on “I’m a Sinner,” Madonna rattles off a series of holy figures including Jesus Christ, St. Christopher, St. Sebastian, St. Anthony and Thomas Aquinas (what, no Tim Tebow?) like she’s a contestant on Catholic Jeopardy. The only sin Madonna commits on “I’m a Sinner” is murder to the ears.

“I Don’t Give A” is a day in the life of a pop diva going through a messy and costly divorce (Madonna’s divorce settlement with Guy Ritchie reportedly cost her between $76 million and $92 million. Ouch!). The multi-tasking Madonna sings, “You were so mad at me/Who got custody/Lawyers suck it up/Didn’t have a pre-nup/Make a film/Write a song/Gotta get my stockings on/Meet the press/Buy the dress/All this to impress.” It’s fascinating to hear Madonna’s side of the story. Who cares if it’s true or not.

Madonna’s best song addressing her second failed marriage is “Love Spent.” Not only does she air out her dirty laundry for the world to see, Madonna earns our sympathy. Madonna lashes and laments such biting lines as, “Would you have married me if I were poor?/I guess if I was your treasury/You’d have found the time to treasure me” and, my personal favorite, “Frankly, if my name was Benjamin/We wouldn’t be in the mess we’re in.”

The standard album ends with two sturdy ballads, “Masterpiece,” which is the closing-credit song of Madonna’s feature-length directorial debut “W.E.” (and subsequent Golden Globe winner), and “Fallen Free.” On the latter, an earth motherly Madonna warmly gushes, “Deep and pure our hearts align/Then I’m free. I’m free of mine/When I let loose the need to know/Then we’re both free. We’re free to go.”

For nearly 30 years we have been free to go but something keeps making us come back to Madonna.

[HolidayGuy]

Metacritic now has 31 reviews posted (including Q), with the score up to 66.

The lowest-rated review says it's mediocre (saying that's worse than bad lol), yet Metacritic assigns it a 35?

[Guest groovyguy]

[GimmeSomeMo]

Ray of Light and Confessions get 3 stars and HARD CANDY gets 5?

[Dindi]

I still don't get all the hate for American Life (the album, not the song). It's so underappreciated.

[loomer]

Evita And since when did Die Another Fucking Day have flamenco on it, for what 4 seconds?

OMG I just noticed Like a Virgin is 5 stars too? That round up is catastrophic, it has to be a piss take!

[HolidayGuy]

That scan is from the NY Daily News/Jim Farber- the text had been posted earlier. I don't think he was crazy about the massive "seriousness" of the ROL album. His prerogative.

[acko]

That scan is from the NY Daily News/Jim Farber- the text had been posted earlier. I don't think he was crazy about the massive "seriousness" of the ROL album. His prerogative.

I just don't c it as preachy. It's introspective.

[Shane]

It's obvious he is a huge fan, even if he doesn't rank them in the order we might expect. And don't forget that HC was not exactly a critical failure. It ranked on a few best of 2008 lists. I think his writeups are nice.

[loomer]

Conventional wisdom has it that Like a Virgin is a big step forward and more sophisticated than the debut, in some ways that's true but Madonna is the timeless one while the other is time stamped. Simplicity will always win out over flashy production.

He does make a good point about COAD, though... the title of that was always a problem as it seemed so exciting and old skool Madonna, we expected Confessions as in the Like a Prayer mould and classic Madonna and we never really got that or anything confessional really.

[acko]

Like a Virgin is Underrated. From a technical point of view it's fantastic. The 'sound mix' is LIFE.

And it's not dated like that loomer, we're not talking True Blue here

[GimmeSomeMo]

Like A Virgin is very girly and bubblegum and has a lot of nods to Motown and girl groups of the past and that makes it more timeless than True Blue that sounds like the soundtrack to a Judge Reinhold movie.

[erotica blu]

I still don't get all the hate for American Life (the album, not the song). It's so underappreciated.

Very.

[erotica blu]

Conventional wisdom has it that Like a Virgin is a big step forward and more sophisticated than the debut, in some ways that's true but Madonna is the timeless one while the other is time stamped. Simplicity will always win out over flashy production.

This is why you're my best friend here and you hate Meryl Streep

[HolidayGuy]

HC didn't fare well at all on year-end best-ofs (i.e. it was ranked waaayyyy down the list on the Village Voice Pazz N Jop poll). But, it did have Ok reviews upon its release.

Farber is a great Madonna reviewer, but only 3 stars for ROL is very glaring there, given its critical success.

[XXL]

From Allaboutmadonna

Clash Magazine Review

[Case39]

I still don't get all the hate for American Life (the album, not the song). It's so underappreciated.

Me either

American Life is AWESOME, it's my favorite Madonna album actually, EVERY single track is killer.