REVIEW: MADONNA - "MDNA"

Despite the promise of something innovative and great in switching Record Labels, ultimately what we get with Madonna's MDNA is indeed something new, but how great is it really?   Patchy is one word to describe the twelve-track Disc, her first from Live Nation/Interscope Records/Universal Music, but it is not without its traces of brilliance.  Collaborations with Benny Benassi - I'm Addicted and Girl Gone Wild - highlight the Disc and in a perfect World should have been plugged one-two as the Album's first Singles.  The only problem is that there is a lack of any real defining trait that says these tunes belong to the Queen of Pop other than her distinctive and recognizable vocals being heard on them.

The theatrical Gang Bang is somewhat reminiscent of Madonna's Bedtime Stories era,  with her channeling some Nancy Sinatra-meets-Deborah Harry-esque Femme Fatale before breaking into a terribly embarrassing Monologue.  She commands, "Drive Bitch! And while you're at it, die Bitch! That's right, Drive Bitch!  Now if you're gonna act like a Bitch, you're gonna die like a Bitch!".  Absolutely absurd.

Some mixed results are garnered from Madonna's studio sessions with Martin Solveig, including first Single Give Me All Your Luvin' (ft. M.I.A. and Nicki Minaj) which I admit was fun for a few listens, but ultimately does not withstand the rigours of "repeat" and "shuffle" on the iPod. The Duo do however strike Pop Excellence on the David Guetta-esque Turn Up the Radio, perhaps an homage to Donna Summer (?) which absolutely is plug-worthy. Genuinely she is putting forth in her vocal delivery here and any Fan would know it.

Two Ballads saved for late, Golden Globe-winning Masterpiece and Falling Free feel out-of-place from the context of the Disc and in all honesty MDNA could have done without them.  MDNA is no Confessions on a Dancefloor (woop!), yet it's certainly no Hard Candy (bleh!) either.  Universal Music Canada releases on March 26, 2012.

While you're at it, check out Madonna's new Video for Girl Gone Wild below:

NEW MUSIC: MADONNA - "GIRL GONE WILD"

Official Artwork for Girl Gone Wild

Although Girls Gone Wild Creator Joe Francis had has own opinion on Madonna borrowing inspiration from his famously exploitative Videos, alas Interscope Records and Francis have come to an agreement that the title Girl Gone Wild (sans the "s") will be the name of the Pop Queen's new Single.  The Track is co-written by Jenson Vaughan and co-produced by Benny & Alle Benassi. 

The provocative Single Cover was shot by Mert & Marcus and is Madonna's second track to surface in a month from her upcoming MDNA Album, in-stores March 26, 2012.  Somewhat reminiscent of her earlier work like Celebration and Confessions on a Dance Floor Disc.

What could be more subversive than taking some with such exploitative connotations and re-exploiting it allover again?  Brilliant, I say.

Watch the official Lyric Video for Girl Gone Wild below:

(Photo/video credit: Universal Music)

MADONNNA ANNOUNCES "MDNA" TOUR DATES: IN TORONTO SEPTEMBER 12TH

Madonna in Toronto - October 2008

Hot on the heels of her epic Super Bowl XLVI Halftime Show Performance, Madonna announces her MDNA Tour dates.   Almost exactly one year after she walked the Red Carpets here in Toronto in support of directorial debut W.E., she returns once again, just a couple blocks away to Air Canada Centre on Wednesday, September 12, 2012.  Only one date is listed so far but as has been the case prior, don't be surprised to see additional dates added.  Unfortunately for many Torontonians, this conflicts with the Toronto International Film Festival which already will be creating lots of traffic, buzz and excitement in the City.

Tickets go on sale Monday, February 13, 2012 via Ticketmaster and Live Nation.  One can expect to pay upwards of $300 for a decent seat in the house and VIP Packages are available.

Click here for a complete list of Canadian dates.

(Photo credit: Mr. Will-W.)