[Almolfuncomma]

Oh my! I can't believe Gaga re-did the outfit for that Hung Up performance! Now that's a little much..

[jhfkgkfdvjk]

I just listened to the song American Life for the first time in years. Ugh, it's so awful to my ears. I have always collected Madonna since I was a kid. I don't have everything, but I have all the non-compilation albums, and most of the compilation ones. I just did not like Hard Candy, Confessions, Music, or American Life. Most of them did have a song or two that I do love (I could listen to Sorry all day long), but the rest of the albums blow to me. But I think that's kinda how she always was. Her albums always had a lot of filler. Except that years ago the filler was better than the current filler and/or that there were less of them then.

I think that the last 4 albums were her just trying too hard. She doesn't have to go all matronly now that she's in her 50s, but Ray of Light was a great balance of not-embarrassing-herself AND great music.

[Imampaictjg]

I just did not like Hard Candy, Confessions, Music, or American Life. Most of them did have a song or two that I do love (I could listen to Sorry all day long), but the rest of the albums blow to me. But I think that's kinda how she always was. Her albums always had a lot of filler. Except that years ago the filler was better than the current filler and/or that there were less of them then.

I think that the last 4 albums were her just trying too hard. She doesn't have to go all matronly now that she's in her 50s, but Ray of Light was a great balance of not-embarrassing-herself AND great music.

Different strokes

There are a few songs, mainly on Hard Candy & Music, that I rarely or never listen to, but I feel like her albums are much more solid from Ray of Light onwards.

I'm glad she's taking a break from music, though. There's a lot changing in the world right now, and as far as popular music is concerned, the Gaga dust needs to settle. The last two records brought everything full circle and I don't think the next one will be a continuation of that theme. At least, not exactly. Madonna needs something to rage against, and time is one of her biggest adversaries.

[18holesin]

well, we know M has plenty of options. i think HC was her attempt at reproducing her old 80's sound in our current pop format, and i don't think it was that successful. Confessions, on the other hand, i think is one of her best albums EVER. going forward, she definately needs to switch it up in ordert o save her music career. i would love to see her come out with an album that blows everyone away - critics and fans alike. i too would be really excited for more of a band sound - a la Like A Prayer. but definately not this faux rocker chick sound she's been doing live. if she goes electronic, she still has plenty of options. electronic music doesn't have to beat heavy or dance oriented - like Tori's To Venus & Back album - perfect example. and even still, if she did produce more dance music, it doesn't have to be only about having a good time in the club. there are plenty of dance songs about heartache and misery. those songs may have a strong dance beat, but the other elements of the song can really give it more of a serious feel.

it all depends on how much effort she puts into it.

[Almolfuncomma]

American Life is one of my favorite Madonna records! I genuinely like every track on it. On pretty much every other album there is at least 1 song, i'm not crazy about.. with the exception of Like A Prayer.

[medshop]

I love American Life, Music and Confessions, but HC is almost unlistenable to me. It was actually a shock to me since I've enjoyed all of her albums, but HC is the first one I just totally hated with the exception of one or two songs. I guess a lot of it had to do with the problems she was going through at the time with her divorce. By her own admission, she wasn't focusing on her music.
When doing music, I don't think there is such a thing as trying too hard. The problem with HC was she really didn't seem to be putting much effort into it and thought it would do just because she was an icon. The music business isn't like that anymore. She definitely needs to put her whole soul, brain and heart into the next record.
I think she can stay electronic, but not as club oriented. Maybe more of a down tempo trip hop sound.
But I think using live instruments would be interesting because it's something she hasn't done in awhile. She has down downtempo electronic things on Music and AL. But she definitely should not do the typical "rawk" thing and nothing too hard or heavy. That's as much a cliche as partying disco music.

[ThekvandoVideo]

Madonna last night

[johnteriz]

^looks like she lost her feet on the way.

[Almolfuncomma]

I like the outfit. Reminds me of the Blond Ambition era. Her facial expression combined with the missing feet/outfit, make her seem kinda wonky. Funny picture.

[RagonaCon]

I'm all for a new ballad next time but I like her disco-maniac side.
HC is not her best effort in that way... honestly I hope for something more like Music, maybe with a LAP touch in it.

[TheDoctor]

I'm all for a new ballad next time but I like her disco-maniac side.
HC is not her best effort in that way... honestly I hope for something more like Music, maybe with a LAP touch in it.

She certainly did not get the best out of Timbaland and Pharell (sp?)....although I can certainly listen to it.....it just could have been so much more.

[Zmniubqr]

Wow, she looks quite lovely! Her face looks the most natural it's looked since Evita.

[18holesin]

The problem with HC was she really didn't seem to be putting much effort into it

I always assumed HC was made to fulfill her contract obligation to Warner before moving on. I wasn't surprised that it turned out less than stellar.

[Imampaictjg]

I think Confessions & Hard Candy are both great albums. I wouldn't have minded another Madonna & Stuart Price collab, though.

She certainly did not get the best out of Timbaland and Pharell I think she got what she wanted out of them. Pharrell's influence is probably the strongest, but I like that it doesn't sound distinctively like something Pharrell or Timbaland would produce. I think she stays pretty involved in the whole process.

I like the sound of HC --although I remember being pretty jarred by my first listen of Candy Shop-- it's harsh and has an old-school sensibility to it. The only song I can't tolerate to listen to is Incredible.

[medshop]

She certainly did not get the best out of Timbaland and Pharell (sp?)....although I can certainly listen to it.....it just could have been so much more.

I agree she didn't get the best out of them. I know they are hated among some Madonna fans who dislike hip hop, but I think Timbaland and Pharell have done some very inventive work in the past with other artists. I really like the song Rehab Timbaland did with Rihanna. Nothing on HC is as good as that. I think maybe T. and P. work with so many artists that just after awhile have run out of good ideas.
To me, HC sounds just like their other work but not as good. I don't hear much of Madonna's influence. She said in an interview she wanted to blend her sound and theirs and not make the typical record they usually make. But I didn't hear much Madonna on the album. To me it was the very typical T. and P. sound.
Maybe Madonna just didn't get along with them that well. I remember seeing an interview with her and Timbaland and it just seemed awkward, like they didn't like each other much.

[estuapped]

Lourdes blogs:



http://materialgirlcollection.com/blog/?p=98

[RagonaCon]

^ I wonder how she feels reading all the comments of people that reach her blog just to say "I'm a Madonna fan."
I think I'd find it annoying if it were me.

And, by the way, it's a bit sad not to have a Madonna subforum anymore

[logpogingg]

This surely should be merged somewhere. I'm surprised there's no Madonna thread OR forum! PEOPLE!!!

Anyhoo... Apparently, Lourdes started a clothing line called Material Girl. She's also started a blog on the page and it makes me feel incredibly old:

Meet Lola


Helluuur thurrrr, I’m Lola and this is my first blog entry so it’s kind of like ummmm….

I’m just going to use this blog entry to tell y’all a little bit about myself. I’m 13 and I’ll be 14 in October, so I can’t wait for that because I am FINALLY allowed to dye my hair… THANK YOU MOTHER!! My favvvv color is black (just because it goes with everything) and my least favorite color is brown (because it resembles the color of something QUITE gross).

I am totally obsessivo about 80’s shorts… You know the kind that makes your butt look kinda big, with a grunge-looking shirt tucked in. It’s kinda nerdy but I love it. And the 80’s are another huge obsession of mine, which is totally amazingly awesome because Material Girl…HELLO! It’s like 80’s themed, which pretty much rocks, so yeah. I’m still in love with brogues or as some people call them “oxford shoes”. I haven’t found a good sandal so I’m on like a search right now.

I’m in London right now and the best stores ever here,I love the vintage stores down in Whitechapel, also a lot of hot guys hang there just in case y’all care. Music wise My Chemical Romance is THE BEST BAND EVER for realzzzz. They are so awesome it hurts. If you don’t know who they are just… go away OR download their songs.

So, as you may know, Material Girl is coming out soon… HOLLA HOLLA! Ok and this is pretty awesome I will send a FREE t-shirt to the first person who can tell me in which big store the opening of Material Girl is….how cool rigghhhhhht???Annnnnnd I am 4 realz excited for the opening which I will give you the exact dates for in my next blog entry, so stay tuned for more.

So I want to know what you guys think about rompers… is that like a hit or miss, ‘cause I’m not sure. If you comment, be sure to tell me what you think.

OK but no joke gladiator sandals are OUT. They came out in summer 2008 and I was like, ok those are really cute. Then 2009 comes around and people are still wearing them so I’m like, ok whatever it’s just a phase. BUT NOOOOO. Because good old 2010 is now coming along and people are STILL wearing them, and then I was just like OK NO! It’s been three years people COME ON!!!!!!!!! I’m just like what????

Ok so I think that is sufficient for my first blog entry and what do you know, it wasn’t all like “ummmmm”. I look forward to writing my second one. Stay tuned if you don’t already think I’m annoying.

XO Lola So she's no Pulitzer Prize winner, but she sounds like a pretty typical overexcited 14 year old; albeit an especially entitled one.

(I wonder, will Tash eventually put out a line of body suits and aprons?)

[ThekvandoVideo]

I liked reading that.

Here's the Madonna thread: http://www.unforumzed.com/showthread...Madonna-Thread

[LClan439]

no way, brown is my favorite colo(u)r.