• Voto:
A 24 ore dal suo ufficiale rilascio (in Italia) Hard Candy si presenta già monumentale agli occhi dei media. Mtv & Co. impazzano con speciali e video a Heavy Rotation, i giornali tornano ad esclamare Madonna!, le radio passano a palla qualsiasi cosa appartenga alla Madonna internazionale (e non parlo di figure mistiche religiose, sia ben chiaro) e le primissime centinaia di recensioni iniziano a comparire neanche fossero fiocchi di neve a gennaio.
Hard Candy l'ultimo fatica di Madge per la Warner Bros, è già un successo anche senza aspettare di vedere la Billboard Hot 200. Ma senza troppe riverenze arriviamo al dunque.
L'intero Album è stato prodotto da Chad Hugo, Pharrel Williams (7 traccie) e Justin Timberlake accompagnato dal sempre verde Timbaland (5 traccie). E si sente. Non è che sia sbagliato, è che da una talent scout come può essere la Ciccone, magari affidarsi a produttori gia ultra famosi (anche se ancora "à la page") che saturano il mercato ormai da qualche tempo, non è la mossa che ci saremmo aspettati, da una che dell'originalità ne fa un mestiere. Tutto qui.
Candy Shop è la prima traccia, quella a cui si presta più attenzione, quella a cui non si risparmiano critiche o lodi particolarmente condensate. Ma Madonna passa abbastanza bene. Una traccia tutto sommato di vecchio stile, un beat minimal in sottofondo e (grazie a dio!) una lirica vicina al termine "tagliente" (my sugar is raw!).
Dopo è il turno di 4 minutes prodotta dalla coppiata prezzemolina Justy &Timbo, molto orecchiabile, venata di quel Blackclub beat elettronico che ormai sfonda da qualche anno (ricordate Promiscuois Girl? Ecco, appunto).
La festa continua con Give it 2 me, candidato come secondo singolo e tormentone estivo, non si stacca molto dalla traccia precedente. Forse non è la canzone più azzeccata di Hard Candy, ma il remix di Paul Oakenfold infondo al cd spacca un botto.
Solo al quarto motivo le cose iniziano a sembrare davvero interessanti. Heartbeat ovviamente ha subito campionato un battito cardiaco che si, ci riporta ai ritmi vintage di Confessions on a Dancefloor, ma allo stesso tempo è la prima sorpresina kinder dell'album.
Miles away è una delle traccie più belle di quest'ultimo lavoro oltre che ad essere una delle poche ballad di Hard Candy. Racconta di una storia d'amore che è alle prese con una distanza fisica che fa la differenza. Ricorda i tempi (artisticamente davvero produttivi) in cui Madonna si affidava alle mani di Mirwaiz, per intenderci il dj franco-turco che produsse Music, American life e Confessions on the dancefloor.
Subito dopo segue quella che può essere interpretata come la risposta a She's Madonna di Robbie Williams. Tanto che la canzone si chiama She's not me. Piccola parodia di se stessa , sembra uscita dall'album precedente, non ha bisogno di remix aggiuntivi.
Incredibile sfida i suoni moderni, anzi modernissimi, paragonabile alle ultime produzioni di Basemant Jaxx, o degli Audio Bullys. Da un punto di vista fonico-produttivo, impeccabile. A tratti tamarra.
Madonna è riuscita per l'ottava traccia, a riunire pezzi grossi come Timbaland, Pharrell e Kanye West nello stesso studio di registrazione. Beat goes On è largamente aspirante ad essere una delle migliori traccie dell'album. E non solo per il ritmo synco-pop, ma anche per una lirica che abbraccia le migliori intenzioni di Madge (Say what you like, do hat you feel...). Per l'occasione con un Free lancer Kanye West davvero inappuntabile.
Iperbole discendente per Dance 2 night forse troppo justiniana. Sicuramente di quel glam di cui Justin è maestro ma del quale ha abusato fin troppo. Anche perché questo non è Futuresex/Lovesounds il ritorno. Il sangue latino di Madonna la spinge a creare inraticamente ogni album uno spazio Isla Bonita. Il che può sembrare snervante se non fosse che questa volta con Spanish Lesson il beat è curioso. Tutto sommato degno di nota.
Il meglio viene ora. Devil wouldn't recognize you è in assoluto la traccia più autentica dell'album. Dimenticatevi tutto e offritevi completamente a questa ballad dei tempi moderni. Dedicata ad un tipo di candore così artificioso che nemmeno il diavolo riuscirebbe a smascherare. Sarebbe un delitto di primo grado non pubblicarlo come singolo.
Giungendo alla fine ci si chiede chi sia davvero il maestro e chi lo schiavo (Who is the master and who is the slave??). Non si capisce se sia Madonna ad aver dominato scena per più di 50 minuti o se è la scena che ha dominato lei. Voices è così l'ultima traccia prima della resa dei conti con sensazioni e paragoni.
A conti fatti Madonna non ribalta, non mette a soqquadro una nuova realtà e non confonde come è abituata a fare. Questa volta non stravolge ma piuttosto ci coinvolge in un viaggio se non altro interessante, e ovviamente conferma se stessa come grande artista.
1- Candy Shop 7/10
2- 4 Minutes 7/10
3- Give It 2 Me 7/10
4- Heartbeat 7.5/10
5- Miles Away 8/10
6- She's not me 6/10
7- Incredible 7.5/10
8- Beat goes On 8/10
9- Dance 2Night 6.5/10
10- Spanish Lesson 6.5/10
11- Devil wouldn't Recongnize You 8.5/10
12- Voices 7/10
Voto Complessivo: 8/10
Elenco tracce testi samples e video
01 Candy Shop (04:16)
See which flavor you like and I'll have it for you
Come on in to my store, I've got candy galore
Don't pretend you're not hungry, I've seen it before
I've got turkish delight baby and so much more
Get up out of your seat (Your seat)
Come on up to the dance floor
I've got something so sweet (So sweet)
Come on up to the front door
I need plenty of heat (Heat)
Form a special confection
Just start moving your feet (Your feet)
Move on over to me
I'll be your one stop (One stop)
Candy shop (Candy shop)
Everything (Everything)
That I got (That I got)
I'll be your one stop (One stop)
Candy store (Candy store)
Lollipop (Lollipop)
Have some more (Have some more)
All the suckers are not what we sell in the store
Chocolate kisses so good
You'll be beggin' for more
Don't pretend you're not hungry
There's plenty to eat
Come on in to my store
'Cause my sugar is sweet
Get up out of your seat (Your seat)
Come on up to the dance floor
I've got something so sweet (So sweet)
Come on up to the front door
I need plenty of heat (Heat)
Form a special confection
Just start moving your feet (Your feet)
Move on over to me
I'll be your one stop (One stop)
Candy shop (Candy shop)
Everything (Everything)
That I got (That I got)
I'll be your one stop (One stop)
Candy store (Candy store)
Lollipop (Lollipop)
Have some more (Have some more)
Stick-stick-stick sticky and sweet (Dance dance)
My sugar is raw
Sticky and sweet
My sugar is raw
Sticky and sweet
My sugar is raw
Sticky and sweet
My sugar is raw
Stick-stick-stick sticky and sweet (Dance dance)
My sugar is raw
Sticky and sweet
My sugar is raw
Sticky and sweet
My sugar is raw
Sticky and sweet
My sugar is raw
Sticky and sweet (Dance Dance)
See which flavor you like and I'll have it for you
Come on in to my store, I've got candy galore
Don't pretend you're not hungry, I've seen it before
I've got turkish delight baby and so much more
Get up out of your seat (Your seat)
Come on up to the dance floor
I've got something so sweet (So sweet)
Come on up to the front door
I need plenty of heat (Heat)
Form a special confection
Just start moving your feet (Your feet)
Move on over to me
I'll be your one stop (One stop)
Candy shop (Candy shop)
Everything (Everything)
That I got (That I got)
I'll be your one stop (One stop)
Candy store (Candy store)
Lollipop (Lollipop)
Have some more (Have some more)
Stick-stick-stick sticky and sweet (Dance dance)
My sugar is raw
Sticky and sweet
My sugar is raw
Sticky and sweet
My sugar is raw
Sticky and sweet
My sugar is raw
Stick-stick-stick sticky and sweet (Dance dance)
My sugar is raw
Sticky and sweet
My sugar is raw
Sticky and sweet
My sugar is raw
Sticky and sweet
My sugar is raw
Sticky and sweet (Dance Dance)
Yo
Peace to the gummy lil' kid
Let me dance in the corner in the UK
And the USA, hah
France I see you
Japan
All around the world
You know who it is
Yes her
It's the MA-DO-NN-A
You ready?
Let's go
Aye
03 Give It 2 Me (04:48)
What are you waiting for
Nobody's gonna show you how
Why wait for someone else to do
What you can do right now
Got no boundaries and no limits
If there's excitement, put me in it
If it's against the law, arrest me
If you can handle it, undress me
Don't stop me now
Don't need to catch my breath
I can go on and on and on
When the lights go down
And there's no one left
I can go on and on and on
Give it to me, yeah
No one's gonna show me how
Give it to me, yeah
No one's gonna stop me now
They say that a good thing never lasts
And then it has to fall
Those are the people
That did not amount to much at all
Give me the bass line and I'll shake it
Give me a record and I'll break it
There's no beginning and no ending
Give me a chance to go and I'll take it
Don't stop me now
Don't need to catch my breath
I can go on and on and on
When the lights go down
And there's no one left
I can go on and on and on
Give it to me, yeah
No one's gonna show me how
Give it to me, yeah
No one's gonna stop me now
Watch this
Get stupid, get stupid, get stupid, don't stop it (what?)
Get stupid, get stupid, get stupid, don't stop it (what?)
Get stupid, get stupid, get stupid, don't stop it (what?)
Get stupid, get stupid, get stupid, don't stop it
Get stupid, get stupid, get stupid, don't stop it
(to the left, to the right, to the left, to the right)
Get stupid, get stupid, get stupid, don't stop it
(to the left, to the right, to the left, to the right)
Get stupid, get stupid, get stupid, don't stop it
(to the left, left, right, right, left, left, right, right)
Get stupid, stupid, stupid, stupid, stupid, stupid, stupid
(left, left, right, right, left, left, right, right)
Don't stop me now
Don't need to catch my breath
I can go on and on and on
When the lights go down
And there's no one left
I can go on and on and on
Give it to me, yeah
No one's gonna show me how
Give it to me, yeah
No one's gonna stop me now
You're only here to win
Get what they say
You're only here to win
Get what they do
They'd do it, too
If they were you
You done it all before
This ain't nothing new
You're only here to win
Get what they say
You're only here to win
Get what they do
They'd do it, too,
If they were you
You done it all before
This ain't nothing new
Give it to me, yeah
No one's gonna show me how
Give it to me, yeah
No one's gonna stop me now
Give it to me, yeah
No one's gonna show me how
Give it to me, yeah
No one's gonna stop me now
Give it to me
04 Heartbeat (04:03)
On any given night
Catch me on the floor
Working up a sweat
That's what music's for
I'd rather not explain
For me, it's just usual
(You can really pop it now, drop it now, ain't no stopping now, are you watching now?)
Once I get going I am gone
(You can really pop it now, drop it now, ain't no stopping now, are you watching now?)
I'll keep it going all night long
You know I feel it in my heartbeat
It may feel old to you, but to me it feels new
You know I feel it in my heartbeat
Don't you know, can't you see
When I dance, I feel free
Which makes me feel like the only one (the only one)
That the light shines on
This complicated life
I try to do my best
I always tell myself
It's all just a test
For me it's an escape
Cause dancing makes me feel beautiful
(And I can't pretend, it should never end, let the music play, are you watching now?)
Once I am moving, I'm alright
(You can really pop it now, it should never end, let the music play, cause I'm here to stay)
I'll keep on dancing through the night
You know I feel it in my heartbeat
It may feel old to you, but to me it feels new
You know I feel it in my heartbeat
Don't you know, can't you see
When I dance, I feel free
Which makes me feel like the only one (the only one)
That the light shines on
See my booty get down, right
See my booty get down, right
See my booty get down, right
See my booty get down, right
Uh uh, get down
Uh uh, get down
See my booty get down, right
You probably think I'm crazy
I don't want you to save me
Don't mean to disappoint you
I've never felt so free
If you could stand in my shoes
Then you would feel my heartbeat too
(You can really pop it now, drop it now, ain't no stopping now, are you watching now?)
Once I am moving, I'm alright
(You can really pop it now, drop it now, ain't no stopping now, are you watching now?)
I can keep on going through the night
You know I feel it in my heartbeat
It may feel old to you, but to me it feels new
You know I feel it in my heartbeat
Don't you know, can't you see
When I dance, I feel free
Which makes me feel it in my heartbeat
It may feel old to you, but to me it feels new
You know I feel it in my heartbeat
Don't you know? Can't you see?
When I dance, I feel free
Which makes me feel like the only one (the only one)
That the light shines on
M-dollah, M-dollah...
05 Miles Away (04:49)
I just woke up from a fuzzy dream
You never would believe the things that I have seen
I looked in the mirror and I saw your face
You looked right through me, you were miles away
All my dreams, they fade away
I'll never be the same
If you could see me the way you see yourself
I can pretend to be someone else
You'll always love me more miles away
I hear it in your voice when you're miles away
You're not afraid to tell me miles away
I guess we're at our best, we were miles away
So far away, so far away, so far away, so far away
So far away, so far away, so far away, so far away
When no one's around and I have you here
I begin to see the picture, it becomes so clear
You'll always have the biggest heart, when we're 6,000 miles apart
Too much of no sound, uncomfortable silence can be so loud
Those three words are never enough, when it's long distance love
You'll always love me more miles away
I hear it in your voice when you're miles away
You're not afraid to tell me miles away
I guess we're at our best, we were miles away
So far away, so far away, so far away, so far away
So far away, so far away, so far away, so far away
I'm alright, don't be sorry but it's true
When I'm gone, you'll realize
That I'm the best thing to happen to you
You'll always love me more miles away
I hear it in your voice when you're miles away
You're not afraid to tell me miles away
I guess we're at our best, we were miles away
You'll always love me more miles away
I hear it in your voice when you're miles away
You're not afraid to tell me miles away
I guess we're at our best, we were miles away
So far away, so far away, so far away, so far away
So far away, so far away, so far away, so far away
So far away, so far away, so far away, so far away
So far away, so far away, so far away, so far away
So far away, so far away, so far away, so far away...
07 Incredible (06:20)
Just one of those things
When everything goes incredible
And all is beautiful
(Can't get my head around, I need to think about it) [x2]
And one of those things
That used to get you down
Now have no effect at all
Cause life is beautiful
(Can't get my head around it, I need to think about it) [x2]
Remembering the very first time
You caught that some ones' specials eye
And all of your care dropped
And all of the world just stopped
(I hope) I want to go back to then
Got to figure out how, got to remember when
I felt it, it thrilled me
I want it, to fill me
Just one of those things
When everything goes incredible
And all is beautiful
(Can't get my head around, I need to think about it) [x2]
And one of those things
That used to get you down
Now have no effect at all
Cause life is beautiful
(Can't get my head around it, I need to think about it) [x2]
You don't know what you got 'til it's gone
And everything in life just goes wrong
Feels like nobody's listening
And something is missing
(I hope) I want to go back to then
Got to figure out how, got to remember when
I felt it, it thrilled me
I want it, to fill me
Just one of those things
When everything goes incredible
And all is beautiful
(Can't get my head around, I need to think about it) [x2]
And one of those things
That used to get you down
Now have no effect at all
Cause life is beautiful
(Can't get my head around it, I need to think about it) [x2]
I remember when
You were the one
You were my friend
You gave me life
You were the sun
You taught me things
I didn't run
I fell to my knees
I didn't know why
I started to breathe
I wanted to cry
I need a reminder
So I can relate
I need to go back there
Before it's too late
It's time to get your hands up
It's time to get your body groving [x4]
Just one of those things
When everything goes incredible
And all is beautiful
(Can't get my head around, I need to think about it) [x2]
And one of those things
That used to get you down
Now have no effect at all
Cause life is beautiful
(Can't get my head around it, I need to think about it) [x2]
Incredible
Let's finish what we started
Incredible
You're welcome to my party
I don't want this to end
I am missing my best friend
It was incredible
There is no reason
(Sex with you is...)
Incredible
(Hey girl)
Just finish what we started
(Let's finish where we started girl)
Incredible
(Hey girl)
You're welcome to my party
(I'm coming to your party girl)
Don't want this thing to end
I'm missing my best friend
Yes it was incredible
There's no reason to pretend
Incredible
It's time to get your body grooving
It's time to get your hands up [continuing in the background]
It's incredible, unbelievable
It's incredible, unachievable
It's incredible, metaphysical
It's incredible
(Sex with you is...)
Incredible
Let's finish what we started
Incredible
You're welcome to my party
(I'm coming to your party) [x2]
Incredible
(Hey girl)
Just finish what we started
(Let's finish where we started girl)
Incredible
(Hey girl)
(Hey girl, let's finish where we started, hey girl)
09 Dance 2night (05:03)
Madonna:
Move your body
Get me from across the floor
Everybody’s watchin’
But I just wanna give you more
Don’t care bout nothin’
Im fallin’ for your love in the worst way
Justin:
Move closer
I can feel your body rise
The heat from you
And I just have to fantasize
We’re all alone now
And I don’t care what people have to say
Chorus (Madonna)
You don’t have to be beautiful
to be understood
You don’t have to be rich and famous
to be good
You just gotta give more more more
Than you ever have before
And you got move fast, fast, fast
if you want this good thing to last
Let’s dance tonight dance tonight
and groove and see the world
And we'll hold hands tonight, hands tonight
just a boy and just a girl
I wanna dance tonight, dance tonight
Don't need no diamonds and pearls
Take a chance tonight, chance tonight
lets groove ourselves to the world
(Bridge)
Do it, do it
Let me turn you on
Let the music pull you through it
Til the break of dawn
Do it, do it
While the night is young
Let the music pull you through it
Til the lights go on
Now we're in our zone
Do you wanna take it further
And before too long
Gonna start to wonder
Are you a one trick pony
Or do you wanna keep running this race
Justin: I’m so into you...
Madonna: I’ve heard it all before
Justin: So what should I do?
Madonna: I told you catch me on the floor
Don’t spoil this moment
'Cause talk is cheap
I don’t have time to waste
(Madonna)
You don’t have to be beautiful
to be understood
You don’t have to be rich and famous
to be good
You just gotta give more more more
Than you ever have before
And you got move fast, fast, fast
if you want this good thing to last
Let’s dance tonight dance tonight
and groove and see the world
And we'll hold hands tonight, hands tonight
just a boy and just a girl
I wanna dance tonight, dance tonight
Don't need no diamonds and pearls
Take a chance tonight, chance tonight
lets groove ourselves to the world
(Bridge)
Do it, do it
Let me turn you on
Let the music pull you through it
Til the break of dawn
Do it, do it
While the night is young
Let the music pull you through it
Til the lights go on
11 Devil Wouldn't Recognize You (05:09)
As quiet as it is tonight
You'd almost think you were safe
Your eyes are full of surprises
They cannot predict my fate
Waiting underneath the stars
There's something you should know
The angels, they surround my heart
Telling me to let you go
I bet he couldn't
I bet he couldn't recognize
But I fell right into it
Who am I to criticize
Somehow I'll get through it
And you won't even realize
Falling through your own disguise
It's like over and over
You're pushing me right down to the floor
I should just walk away
Over and over
I keep on comming back for more
I play into your fantasy
Now that it's over
You can lie to me right through your smile
I see behind your eyes
Now I'm sober
The more intoxicating my mind
Even the devil wouldn't recognize you
But I do
Even the devil wouldn't recognize you
But I do
Even the devil wouldn't recognize you
But I do
Even the devil wouldn't recognize you
But I do, I do, I do
You almost fooled yourself this time
Let all the saints be graced
You hide your sadness behind your smile
And you keep your lost heartbreaks
You stepped up there along a ledge
It's much higher than it seems
But I've been on that ledge before
You can't hide yourself from me
I bet he couldn't
I bet he couldn't recognize
But I fell right into it
Who am I to criticize
Somehow I'll get through it
And you won't even realize
Falling through your own disguise
It's like over and over
You're pushing me right down to the floor
I should just walk away
Over and over
I keep on coming back for more
I play into your fantasy
Now that it's over
You can lie to me right through your smile
I see behind your eyes
Now I'm sober
The more intoxicating my mind
Even the devil wouldn't recognize you
But I do
Even the devil wouldn't recognize you
But I do
Even the devil wouldn't recognize you
But I do
Even the devil wouldn't recognize you
But I do, I do, I do
Oh oh oh oh oh
Oh oh oh oh oh
Oh oh oh oh oh
Oh oh oh oh oh
It's like over and over
You're pushing me right down to the floor
I should just walk away
Over and over
I keep on coming back for more
I play into your fantasy
Now that it's over
You can lie to me right through your smile
I see behind your eyes
Now I'm sober
The more intoxicating my mind
Even the devil wouldn't recognize you
You, you, you
Devil wouldn't recognize you
You, you, you
Devil wouldn't recognize you
You, you, you
Even the devil wouldn't recognize you
But I do
I do, I do
You, you, you
Devil wouldn't recognize you
But I do
Even the devil wouldn't recognize you
I do
12 Voices (03:39)
[Justin:]
Who is the master? Who is the slave?
[Madonna:]
Treat me like a curse
Then tell me I'm your saviour
I never liked the stranger
I used to know so well
Waiting for your answer
Is a kind of torture
Could I grow accustomed to this kind of hell?
Are you walking the dog, 'cause that dog isn't new
Are you out of control, is that dog walking you
Haven't you had enough, now your time is up
Baby show me your hell
Voices start to ring in your head
Tell me what do they say
Distant echoes from another time
Start to creep in your brain
So you're playing 'round, it's like it's a rewind
You blew it so often that you start to believe it
You have demons so nobody can blame you
But who is the master and who is the slave?
First you say you love me
Then you wanna leave me
Then you say you're sorry
You play the game so well
I bought your illusion
You're the greatest salesman
How could I refuse you
When you sold it to yourself
Are you walking the dog, 'cause that dog isn't new
Are you out of control, is that dog walking you
Haven't you had enough, now your time is up
Baby show me your hell
Voices start to ring in your head
Tell me what do they say
Distant echoes from another time
Start to creep in your brain
So you're playing 'round, it's like it's a rewind
You blew it so often that you start to believe it
You have demons so nobody can blame you
But who is the master and who is the slave?
Carico i commenti... con calma
Altre recensioni
Di The_dull_flame
"Hard Candy dovrebbe essere l'ennesima svolta di Veronica Louise Ciccone, ma sembra una zolfa: anziché anticipare, ora segue la moda."
"La prima parte del disco illude con ritmi creativi come in 'Candy Store', mentre la seconda perde quota con pezzi poco riusciti."
Di Alex84
Madonna riesce a nobilitare anche il pop più furbo, comunicando una sensazione di esaltazione.
Che cosa ci serberà per il futuro? Spero che torni a proporci la sua parte più 'seria' e intima.
Di FabiettoPrayer
Confessions On A Dance Floor verrà ricordato come uno dei suoi lavori più geniali e perfetti.
Hard Candy è un album da consumare al momento... da lei ci si aspetta decisamente meglio.
Di CannibalKid
Il disco è un luna park di suoni hip-hop che flirtano pericolosamente con la dance e non si può che rimanere travolti.
Come ogni volta, a Madonna riesce il numero di catturare il suono del momento.
Di tetsuoironman
Già il titolo sa di battona. Una battona che non ha peli sulla lingua per giunta.
Ora Madonna è diventata una buffa caricatura di sé stessa, caduta davanti ai piedi puzzolenti di una Rihanna qualunque.
