My initial thoughts? It certainly gets your attention! Thumpy beats, big horns, Trousersnake.... it's not as bad as I expected. I was nervous about Madonna releasing anything marked 'urban', and while this is a far cry from Confessions it's actually more listenable than most Timberland stuff. Things I like: the horns, 'we only got 4 minutes to save the world'. Things I hate: 'tick tock', and any song that says "Madonna" as one of its key vocals has to go.
It might be a grower. One thing is for sure, it's no Hung Up.
But is that a good thing?
Madonna has always led the way when it comes to making good pop. Everyone else has followed in her wake, not mentioning any names Kylie. This time though it seems like Madge is playing catch up for the first time in her career. The American Life album threw things into a bit of a tailspin, going all political and anti-war at a time when the world just wasn't ready for it. Result: poor sales. The album wasn't actually that bad and has some cracking songs on it. So then she goes into recovery mode and things aha. The gays. Wheel out Abba and make a song of disco tunes. Poppers o'clock!! Much more like it! Sadly, this time the world had moved into a more gritty sonic groove and disco was seen as a random move. Result: poor sales. In America at least, no radio stations would play Madonna as the sound wouldn't fit with the rest of their Usher / Missy / 50 cent stable.
And now, with a groundbreaking new recording contract where the music is a by-product of touring, Madonna is going for the popular vote again. Collaborate with Timbaland, safe pair of hands, and hopefully American radio will play the song. I think it smells a bit desperate myself, but maybe it's just the first time she has been slightly out of sync and therefore the smoke and mirrors are more apparent. They were there all along, but we were so dazzled by the lasers nobody saw them.
One thing we do know is that her contract with LiveNation is for 10 years, includes at least 4 albums and 3 tours so there's no more of that coy "maybe I'll retire" nonsense that means everyone goes into a frenzy when concert tickets go on sale.
This time I can afford to be more choosy.
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