Review of Madonna's Hard Candy

Madonna fans can now whet their appetites with her new sweet offering, Hard Candy. Her 11^th studio album finds Madge once again in classic dance mode with impressive collaborations. Vintage Madonna is not lost on this new album of fresh sounds, however. Where Confessions On A Dance Floor left off with a retro/modern aural experience, a phenomenal tour but no radio play, Hard Candy has had support from the get go. Thanks to the well-known guests on this album, (though all greatly upstaged by the Queen of Pop,) Hard Candy has already received backing from the airwaves.

Enter the "Candy Shop" and Madonna tantalizes your senses with simple rhymes of a vague yet blatant sexuality laced onto a danceable beat. The first single off of Hard Candy is a smart choice. The clever track, "4 Minutes," is not only playable on Top 40 stations, due to the partnership of master producer Timbaland and the oh-so-hip Justin Timberlake, but the tune is an infectious earworm, and fits easily into a pep rally or sporting venue, either before the big game, or at the final 4 minutes.

"Give It 2 Me," the next single, gives the listener a comical and frenetic beat. Playful lyrics include, "don't stop me now, don't need to catch my breath, I can go on and on and on..." and Madonna surely can, because she has. The bridge is awkward, as the music drops, and the flow is disrupted with spoken word by Madonna and Pharrell.

Madonna's vocals are in great form on "Heartbeat," but the lyrics are not necessarily age appropriate. Madonna, in unbelievable shape for any age, let alone a woman approaching 50, seems to be trying too hard to be hip by singing about her booty getting down.

The beginning guitar of "Miles Away," captures the listener and takes them on a pleasurable, sing along groove. The song is about a relationship that only works from a safe distance. "Uncomfortable silence can be so loud." "She's Not Me" once again finds Madonna suspended in an awkward generation gap. The song, at over six minutes, would be more suitable for a woman in her 20's who is just finding herself and being assertive, not someone married and secure in whom she is.

The "Incredible" chorus is contagious. Transport yourself to a roller rink and let the disco ball descend as the "Beat Goes On." This song may feature Kayne West, arguably one of today's best, if not the most temperamental, rapper, but West pales on this track next to Madonna's majestic ways.

Timberlake once again takes a spin with Madonna on "Dance 2night," and it is yet another club hit. "Spanish Lessons" are given through irrepressible beats. The "Devil Wouldn't Recognize You," is the closest thing to a ballad that you will get on this album. The piano, the vocals and lyrics are melded together for a well done track. "Voices" wonders "Who is the master? Who is the slave?" As the end of the song and album draws to a close, the bells sound, giving the clear answer.

A career unlike any other, the Rock & Roll Hall of Famer could rest easy in the sweet life, but legions of admirers are the ones relaxed, knowing that the Queen shows no intention of slowing down any time soon. Hard Candy is a wonderful stack of songs that will get the dance floors vibrating with her music; grooves that are raw, sticky and sweet.

Madonna will be touring in support of the album. For ticket information and scheduled dates of the Sticky and Sweet tour, see Madonna.com.