Madonna - Hard Candy Review

She has been in the game for some time and yet Madonna still manages to stay relevant constantly finding ways to keep it fresh and new. Here we are with the latest (11th studio release) from this recent inductee into the rock & roll hall of fame riding yet another wave in the land of pop and r&b. I will be the first to admit I was not expecting much from this release thinking that we had another aging pop star trying to stay "in the know" and guess what.....that is the case with Madonna's Hard Candy but the difference here is that it work's! ALLOT of the credit here goes to the producers on hand who supply the solid and hard hitting beats coupled with cosmic r&b and pop sounds. The production duty is split between The Neptunes and T & T (Timbaland and Justin Timberlake) and each team complements Madonna's limited vocal's with sharp upbeat r&b beats and beyond radio friendly pop carefully not drowning her out.

With any new release I get I listen to it straight thru to get a full on feel of the overall tone of the CD is BUT when I repeat along the way I know I have a keeper. That was the very case here with the opening track Candy Shop which I had to play back to back because it sizzles with a heat steeping beat and a funky 80's Kraftwerk style. The same was the case with the T & T produced Miles Away which will no doubt be a release for the dance floor community. This infectious dance number along Spanish Lesson (prepare to DANCE) and the majority of this CD which proves the point that Madonna know's just what finger to put on the pulse of staying in the times and within her limits.

Track-list:

1. Candy Shop
2. 4 Minutes [Featuring Justin Timberlake And Timbaland]
3. Give It 2 Me
4. Heartbeat
5. Miles Away
6. She's Not Me
7. Incredible
8. Beat Goes On [Featuring Kanye West]
9. Dance 2night
10. Spanish Lesson ( I have learned that this track is HOT HOT HOT HOT HOT)!
11. Devil Wouldn't Recognize You
12. Voices

Bottom Line:

She rightfully owns the title of the queen of pop because even this late in the game Madonna still manages to deliver the goods while sitting high on the throne were many have come and gone. She may not be the greatest singer and have her limits but hey.....when it works...it works!