Shane Posted March 14, 2015 Posted March 14, 2015 I think it's more than clear that she intends the full 19 track 'deluxe' version to be the whole/complete album. And it sounds as such. All 19 tracks are sonically cohesive and work as a whole album. Nothing about those last 5 tracks screams 'bonus' in any way. I see the 'standard' version as nothing more than having to adapt to current market trends. It's a business move. Certain demos and markets now have versions tailored to them - whether it's the "clean" versions for certain stores/markets, or aiming a more condensed version to the casual buyer who wants the one at a cheaper price point.... as much something like the 'super deluxe' is aimed at hardcore fans that want extra goodies. Plus, using the 'deluxe' cover as the main one in most marketing since the album pre-launch pretty much gives the impression that that one is the 'main' album...the 'main' vision. And didn't Guy O mention that the MDNA 'deluxe' was what Madonna considered as the 'main' or 'full' album for that project? So it just further gives the impression that the 'deluxe' is the full vision of her work. And of course, the title track being the last track of that edition. I think I agree with your assessment fully. But since she is the Queen of album closers, she made sure the standard ended properly as well and didn't come across as just some cheap edited edition.
nimos Posted March 14, 2015 Posted March 14, 2015 Yes, Messiah and Rebel Heart both sound very clipped/distorted to me. I ordered the Media Markt version from an eBay seller and it arrived this morning. What a great song Auto-Tune Baby is! Much better than usual bonus track fare. It sounds a bit like No Doubt, I think.
Guest CzarnaWisnia Posted March 14, 2015 Posted March 14, 2015 I love Autotune Baby, the beat reminds me of Bjork's Innocence and the melody reminds me of old American ballads from the 50s.
5iVe Elements Posted March 14, 2015 Posted March 14, 2015 Autotune Baby is underrated. Very tongue in cheek and fun.
heymrdj1 Posted March 14, 2015 Posted March 14, 2015 The entire Rebel Heart song is distorted like Voices in HC. Messiah is mostly fine but the second chorus has a terrible blow out sound. As much as I love the record its sloppy mixing/mastering is definitely on par with MDNA Living For Love: over-mixed vocals in the verses Ghosttown: the paper burning/mic switching on sounds (no it's NOT intentional) Bitch I'm Madonna: volume fluctuation Hold Tight: drowned out vocals and the entire song is too quiet Iconic: over-mixed vocals HBC: obvious clipping Body Shop: muffled vocals Holy Water: Vogue instrumentals in the background WTF Wash All Over Me: over-mixed vocals and the entire song is too quiet Messiah: blow out sound Rebel Heart: distorted drums I'm no sound-freak but half of the album has major mixing issues But her albums since American Life have always been poorly mixed/mastered so I'm used to it One would think this type of stuff would never happen to a perfectionist like madonna.... I am extremely turned off by the sound problem on messiah (the volume suddenly increases at one point) which makes me listen to the demo version instead (i have to have a perfect sound on this one because it is in my top 3 songs on this album!) Has she even listened to the official version of her album? Has anyone around her listened to it? I am sure that if she knew she would be horrified and maybe call for a recall! Just like mdna bluray!
5iVe Elements Posted March 14, 2015 Posted March 14, 2015 For you Shane and only for you, I will give Messiah another chance Gimme a few days. Give Holy Water a chance too.
Guest Katypatra Posted March 14, 2015 Posted March 14, 2015 Yeah, in USA most of the stores that sell albums, have the 19 track version of Rebel Heart. I have yet to find a place that only has the "srandard" album. In fact, most people just assume that the deluxe one is the standard
5iVe Elements Posted March 14, 2015 Posted March 14, 2015 She's starting the trend of deluxe being the new standard
loomer Posted March 14, 2015 Posted March 14, 2015 Album rank 1. S.E.X. 2. Ghosttown 3. Graffiti Heart 4. Iconic 5. Hold Tight 6. Heartbreak City 7. Auto-Tune Baby 8. Best Night 9. Holy Water 10. Borrowed Time 11. Illuminati 12. Beautiful Scars 13. Bitch I'm Madonna 14. Addicted 15. Living For Love 16. Messiah 17. Unapologetic Bitch 18. Wash All Over Me 19. Rebel Heart 20. Devil Pray 21. Veni Vidi Vici 22. Joan Of Arc 23. Body Shop 24. Inside Out
ryan Posted March 14, 2015 Posted March 14, 2015 The mixing does NOT compare to MDNA. MDNA was atrocious, Rebel Heart has a bit of clarity. Also, the paper burning in Ghosttown IS intentional! Do you not know what that song is about??
loowee Posted March 14, 2015 Posted March 14, 2015 Album rank 1. S.E.X. 2. Ghosttown 3. Graffiti Heart 4. Iconic 5. Hold Tight 6. Heartbreak City 7. Auto-Tune Baby 8. Best Night 9. Holy Water 10. Borrowed Time 11. Illuminati 12. Beautiful Scars 13. Bitch I'm Madonna 14. Addicted 15. Living For Love 16. Messiah 17. Unapologetic Bitch 18. Wash All Over Me 19. Rebel Heart 20. Devil Pray 21. Veni Vidi Vici 22. Joan Of Arc 23. Body Shop 24. Inside Out
cruncher9123 Posted March 14, 2015 Posted March 14, 2015 ........Also, the paper burning in Ghosttown IS intentional! Do you not know what that song is about?? Oh, that's what that is. Mystery solved. :lightbulb:
ryan Posted March 14, 2015 Posted March 14, 2015 It's more vinyl surface sounds like in erotica than paper burning
nimos Posted March 14, 2015 Posted March 14, 2015 Also, the paper burning in Ghosttown IS intentional! Do you not know what that song is about?? What about the hiss from her microphone that comes in a few seconds before the vocal begins? That sounds a bit strange.
Guest Posted March 14, 2015 Posted March 14, 2015 Album rank 1. S.E.X. 2. Ghosttown 3. Graffiti Heart 4. Iconic 5. Hold Tight 6. Heartbreak City 7. Auto-Tune Baby 8. Best Night 9. Holy Water 10. Borrowed Time 11. Illuminati 12. Beautiful Scars 13. Bitch I'm Madonna 14. Addicted 15. Living For Love 16. Messiah 17. Unapologetic Bitch 18. Wash All Over Me 19. Rebel Heart 20. Devil Pray 21. Veni Vidi Vici 22. Joan Of Arc 23. Body Shop 24. Inside Out
loowee Posted March 14, 2015 Posted March 14, 2015 It's more vinyl surface sounds like in erotica than paper burning It's way too subtle for it to be intentional, and also how do you explain the sound of the mic turning on?
Guest CzarnaWisnia Posted March 14, 2015 Posted March 14, 2015 After only a few listens, here's my top 10 1. Wash All Over Me 2. Messiah (in spite of the distortion) 3. Heartbreak City 4. Ghosttown 5. Body Shop 6. Living For Love 7. Holy Water 8. Inside Out 9. Devil Pray 10. Best Night my least favorite: Veni Vidi Vidi (actually the only song I don't like from the 19)
ryan Posted March 14, 2015 Posted March 14, 2015 It's way too subtle for it to be intentional, and also how do you explain the sound of the mic turning on?Don't ask me about the the mic sound as I wasn't even talking about or could explain itThe song is about falling in love after the end of the world. The world is in ruins and practically destroyed, the noise represents the dust dirt and Fire that remains on the planet
Iconic Fetus Posted March 14, 2015 Posted March 14, 2015 I don't know if it's only me, but I can hear a Materiak Girl sample in Borrow Time, when she says: Our time is only borrow and at the back you hear: a material, a material.
Guest Katypatra Posted March 14, 2015 Posted March 14, 2015 These are my top 10 so far in no particular order: 1. Devil Pray 2. Ghosttown 3. HeartBreak City 4. Inside Out 5. Hold Tight 6. Living for Love 7. Iconic 8. Wash All Over Me 9. Body Shop 10. Rebel Heart
adirondak Posted March 14, 2015 Posted March 14, 2015 Top 10: Unapologetic Bitch Bitch I'm Madonna Joan of Arc Iconic Holy Water Inside Out Wash All Over Me Veni Vidi Vici Best Night Messiah
karbatal Posted March 14, 2015 Posted March 14, 2015 I can't make a top ten every song is so special. Holy water and sex remind me to other years, the heart songs are all incredible...
nefarious Posted March 14, 2015 Posted March 14, 2015 I am just so happy with this album I just listened to Unapologetic Bitch with my good headphones and good lord it sounds AMAZING Bless this era and this glorious album
Shane Posted March 15, 2015 Posted March 15, 2015 ^ I agree. I played the entire thing again this evening. There are 23 songs, and I enjoy every single one of them. The fact that 6 of them or so feel like all time Madonna Top 20 entries is, frankly, a little overwhelming. The six songs released December 20 have held up to repeated listening, and I'm still discovering new things. I expect the same will hold true for the rest of the album three months from now. My biggest joys in no particular order are vocals, lyrics, melodies, and diversity. This is a fan's dream come true as we are treated to a little bit of everything from her career, dance, pop, ballads, and rap, with a bit of new ground broken as well. I am absolutely thankful and utterly thrilled to receive this album 33 years into her career. Can't wait to see what's in store for album 14. My Rebel Heart rating: 5 of 5 stars. Currently sits at 4 on my Madonna Top 13. I'll move it up when the time feels right, but my current thought is this becomes the new champion.
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