Stupendous Man

At some point in the song How High, Madonna asks – “How high are the stakes? How much fortune can you make? Does it get any better?” – to which I have quite the replies.

How high are the stakes? – A lot! Especially after releasing couple of bad albums, with the last one being a utter low point in anyone’s career.

How much fortune can you make? Going by the looks of it lady, confessions poises to give you a lot; that much I can tell you.

Does it get any better? Luckily for you, and for us (more importantly!), it doesn’t get better than this!

Yes, the queen of pop (or so), is back with a bang, and what a bang it is.

Just when one was about to write off Madonna into history books as another great artist losing her steam, she comes up with a score that just makes everyone reconsider their opinion. “Confessions on a Dance Floor” may not be her most ambitious work to date, but hell yeah, it works and works great! Apparently Madonna is in for a some moves here, and she doesn’t want us to sit still either. A hour of continuous dance-a-thon music, this club collection, a “premix” as she refers to is a MUST listen, and must mark her return to where she belongs.

What’s so stunning about the album’s continuity from one club track to another which happens almost seamlessly. Purists may argue that it robs off the creativity of the album, but remember, its an album on dance floor and stays there till the end. Without a break, the songs flow into each other, with some of them suspiciously sounding like one another, this is one hell of a album for anyone who enjoys club music, especially the 80s style mixed with techno.

Right from the start, Madonna is in complete command with “Hung up”, which not only is a great way to start off an album, but ABBA’s gimme gimme gimme add the zing to the song. Once off to the flyer, the album stays that way, well almost, to the end. Don’t bother listening to Hung Up twice (you will be prompted believe me!), but wait it out till you hear the other ones out. Check out her impressive next Track “Get together”. At a point, the beats are out of tune with music itself, and yet in tune with the track – a great rendition.

Listen to her say “I’m Sorry” in 10 different languages in next track ‘Sorry’, and here I must tell you that this is highly addictive song. Listen as she makes a real attempt to say ‘Moojhe Moff Kro’… in Hindi. Up comes the next one “Future lovers” which will remind you of her Ray of Light days, but yet another winner. “I love New York” unfortunately happens to be the least impressive track of winners, though given its lyrics, I am pretty sure its going to be a huge hit. In its singleton, it’s a impressive dance track, but when clubbed around with other tracks, this one doesn’t cut.

And if you think you remembered Ray of Light, well remember Die another day too – the next song “Let it be” almost begins similarly, but quickly settles into another club track, sure to get your adrenaline flowing. And the album is not even done yet. The next two tracks sound similar to one another, though one could be allowed to make the mistake. The first of the two “Forbidden love” if not mixed with a dance beat could be mistaken for a Ballad. Or perhaps a ballad remixed? “Jump” follows immediately with a tune that almost gives a feeling as the first one never ended – two different songs, but they just blend in the continuity without blink of an eye.

Intentional or not, controversy and Madonna go together – “Issacc” may be in news for all right or wrong reasons, but lets not deter it from declaring it as a bad song, which it is not!! Another foot tapping number all along; Changing tracks, almost sounding like hip-hop, “Push Me” almost sounds like a song for her love – not the best of tracks, but keeps the momentum moving. And finally, vintage Madonna presents herself on the last track of the album “Like it or not” – clearly taking you back to old days of Madonna and her “Like a Prayer” kind of music. Another good beat song.

When an artist is able to deliver even 3 toppers in an 11 song compilation, its considered great – comparatively I must admit I found at least 8 toppers in the 11 song confessions. Now if that isn’t good, then good is hard to get by!! Get that party going!