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Confessions On A Dance Floor

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D Terminator XXXIII

17:23 / 15.11.05

First reaction: excited.

Because I find it easier to relate to her when she's trying to make us dance, instead of telling us universal Kabbala truths. Or something.

Friends' reaction: disappointed.

I think because they're not too into dance music. I dislike Abba, but the sample on her newest single, Hung Up, is actually quite good because it marries the sample to a dirty, dirty base, which is a good thing. As Petey said about Gorillaz' Dare, it makes me want to dance, a physical reaction much more telling than what I could convievably else write. Having seen the video, she's apparently doing the seedy 80s thing. Which hopefully applies to the whole of the album.

Regrettable Juvenilia

18:18 / 15.11.05

'Hung Up' is definitely the best thing she's done since 'Beautiful Stranger'. But that's not very hard. Everyone's getting very excited about the new record and I can't blame them for wanting to believe, because of how good she once was and how far she fell. She's picked a producer who's doing great stuff at the moment, and is known for turning shite into gold (Jacques Lu Cont). Certainly 'Hung Up' is a more convincing comeback than I expected, and it has that earworm factor. I hope the video means she will shortly be dumping Little Lord Fauxcockney for a 20 year-old krumpdancer, or something. But I remain cautious about the album...

19:01 / 15.11.05

I really enjoy "Hung Up" and I think it's one of her best singles in the past ten years - maybe ever. I think it works for Madonna because it's simple, even though it's technically a complex song. It's a beat, it's chorus, it's verses. There's no underlying mystery that must stand alone. The song calls my name and it feels like home for Madonna.
(huzzah!)
Anybody know what the sample is and cares to tell me?

19:34 / 15.11.05

It's pretty damn damn good, but it does make me want to go dance to ABBA.

22:04 / 15.11.05

Sample's the Abba tune Gimme Gimme Gimme (A Man After Midnight). Big favourite in the nascent UK gay scene of the 70's. I think Abba in general are not cherished in the US, as they have always been by some of us Old Worlders. That Madge is sampling Abba is a big indicator that she presently sees herself very much as Mrs Ritchie, mockney sparrer.

Tune's OK. If it didn't have the Abba intro and I didn't know it was Madonna, wonder what I'd think. Ask me in a month's time. Might be another Ray of Light.

22:18 / 15.11.05

Pedantic Ganesh has just pointed out that Abba are highly cherished in the Antipodes and that Oz is very much New World!

Oh yeah, and now it seems my only chance is giving up the fight

22:30 / 15.11.05

Oh yeah. I knew that *blushes, shuffles feet in a disco pattern*

The only other band to legally sample ABBA was the Fugees. I read that somewhere. In order to get her sample, Madge wrote a long-winded letter to Bjorn (I think) and esentially begged on metaphorical (strong from yoga) knees.

Anybody seen the video? It's really awful. The music makes people dance in different ways, including "ghetto" kids waiting at a bus-stop. This is inter-cut with footage of Esther dancing in a pink/purple outfit in a dance studio. Not her best video (which was Ray of Light).

22:44 / 15.11.05

Ooooh, I think her best video was Frozen. Gaultier Goth-Madonna in the desert. Luvverly.

23:12 / 15.11.05

Forgot about that video. Gaultier... *drools* Whatever happened to Madonna the fashion expert? If you've seen the new video, then you know what I'm talking about,

Regrettable Juvenilia

06:53 / 16.11.05

That Madge is sampling Abba is a big indicator that she presently sees herself very much as Mrs Ritchie, mockney sparrer.

I'd disagree with that - if anything, the Hi-NRG nature of the song, plus a sample with the connotations it has, is reassuringly incompatible with Guy "don't dress me up like a ponce" Ritchie.

I don't see what's so bad about the video either, to be honest - I'm not sure her 'arty' phase of videos really deserves enshrining. Nice little nod to 'What You Waiting For', too.

07:31 / 16.11.05

Although we can never know what truly lies in the heart of Masonna it is clear that her new songlet is driving a painful barbed wedge between her and her husband Bloke Richard.

08:24 / 16.11.05

Maybe I'm over-valuing the Abba sample but that seems to me to be Madge Europeanising herself.

Regrettable Juvenilia

08:41 / 16.11.05

There's a big difference between that and being Mrs Ritchie, though. OI FRITZ HANDS OFF OUR BANANAS etc.

10:20 / 16.11.05

If I'm picking you up correctly, you're identifying a trend in this single and accompanying video that is declaring her independence from her %geezer% and his worldview. You could well be right. At least he's not directing this video.

I'm not really talking about her relationship to Blokepants but about her seeming to identify more closely with traditions from this end of The Pond than before. Not well expressed on my part, clearly.

As far as doing a Disco Diva thang to get up Ritchie's nose, her whole gay icon status could presumably have been doing that to him all along. It must also stick in the craw of her Kabbalah chums surely, who seem to think Queer = Sucker of Satan's cock.

Would also be good to see her having a smash hit with this, following on so soon from Ritchie's latest film fiasco with Revolver. I can see him as the James Mason figure, eclipsed and suicidal, in an A Star Is Born scenario.

11:05 / 16.11.05

That Madge is sampling Abba is a big indicator that she presently sees herself very much as Mrs Ritchie, mockney sparrer.

The sample came from Stuart Jacques 'les Ryhthm digital' Cont Price rather than Madonna- he had the sample on an instrumental track that he DJ'd with she liked it and wrote the lyrics to accompany- so i read the other day...

Even though Abba never broke huge in the states its a little presumtious to assume that she'd never heard them before coming to blighty- given that she is a world famous musician born out of a 70's dance scene i'd say it was very likely she listened to them before she married a british film director.

Did anyone see the webcast from Kokos? I drove past it on thursday night and it looked all very glitzy for Camden.

The video that is causing the stir was directed by Johan Renck who directed the streets 'dry your eyes', Madonna's 'Nothing Really Matters' and the remarkably similar video for The Knife 'Pass this on'.
My thoughts on it are that its too muddled- it should have been much much simpler (like the Knife video) i like the look of it and the way its shot handheld but there just seems to be too much going on- one minute its a bit edgey the next its trying to be uber glossy- one or the other please!

The krump dancers in LA are guys from David Lachapelles film Rize... a scene that i think madge has been trying to align herself with...

My thoughts on hung up... i like that shes doing disco again rather than the overly worthy and ultimately muddled mess that was american life although i read a review the other day that said there's a stooges rip off on the album... eek!

Regrettable Juvenilia

11:22 / 16.11.05

the remarkably similar video for The Knife 'Pass this on'

I'm not seeing the connection really. Except that they both feature dancing.

11:39 / 16.11.05

I'm not seeing the connection really.

I was specifically refering to the part where she is in the rehearsal space dancing.

We start the knife video with a karaoke machine turing on with a click- in madonnas its the boom box- the the set design is similar with strip lighting and wooden swedish interior- hand held camera shooting style (rare as most directors now use a steadycam)and a yellowy green grade on the film- This is what i was refering too rather than the krumping stuff- obviously they have different narratives but stylistically they are very similar- which is why i think it seems a little confused when we jump into the slickly shot krump and party scenes where it could have been an edgier low light 'dazed and confused-esque' fashion shoot thing- Just my opinion.

Check out more of Rencks stuff though, IMHO he is one the best directors in the world right now- its a shame this isn't his best work. (his video for Bergman Rock's 'Jim' is outstanding as is New Order Crystal- the one with the kids being the band...)

15:29 / 16.11.05

Sounds good, Copey, and also very like Madonna to be surfing the Zeitgeist, as you describe. Also good that she's not drowning in over-production, despite the temptation that must be. She seems to know how to collaborate effectively, whatever rumours go round about her control freakery.

Also interesting that the Abba sample wasn't initially her idea. I don't think anybody was assuming that she'd never heard them before coming to blighty though. Just is a fact that Abba were never the phenomenon in the States that they were elsewhere. I guess I am reading too much significance into the Gimme Gimme Gimme sample though, judging by the history you give.

16:52 / 16.11.05

the madonna koko show weblink is here (and its free to watch...)
if you're interested

23:26 / 16.11.05

Anybody heard the rest of the album? Is it worth buying for Christmas for me ma?

Mister Six, whom all the girls

12:51 / 17.11.05

Brief thread-rot but funny story.

My first reaction to Madonna will always be connected to my first time in a health club in ages where I shared an incredibly cramped changing room with this other guy who was almost as good as I was at pretending he was alone and naked rather than with another man naked... very close to another man. It was a 'Three's Company' moment as I knelt to tie my shoes as he arched his back to dry his back and his groin came pornographically close to my forehead to the booming tune of 'Beautiful Stranger' on the club speakers.

We were both very gracious, understanding the circumstances.

Haus of Mystery

19:15 / 17.11.05

I'd give anything rather than hear any more Madonna really. She stopped being good approximately 3 seconds after 'Like a Prayer' (or being a puritan, 'Holiday')
I initially misread the title as Confessions of a Dancefloor, which to my mind is fuckloads better.

03:43 / 18.11.05

"Like a Prayer" was and still is, a revelation of pop music and marketing (see the Pepsi fiasco). To this day, to annoy (and alternatively, entertain a minority) my co-workers, I sing that song loudly and proudly (I'm all about a black Jesus - so hot). Of course, I love any pop song that efficiently uses a choir and a video that uses religious iconography without pressuring me into feeling guilty (I'm looking at you, Sinead O'Connor)

lord nuneaton savage

11:52 / 18.11.05

Confessions of a Dancefloor, eh?

"Yeah, the thing is I actually CREATE Disco Piss. Everyone thinks it's just a mixture of spilt beer and pheremones but it's actually my black, viscous sweat. That'll teach those pricks to dance on my face"

Harrison Ford, in a battle suit, wheels for feet, knives and guns

12:44 / 18.11.05

Put it away Madge & stop acting like a try hard. Talk about continually recking your image; marry Guy Ritchie, American Pie, Ali G in your video etc etc.
Seriously though, the tracks not terrible or anything but it's incredibly average pop disco fair. As for the video, reckon it's pretty lame, seems very confused style wise. As for the costume department, they've somehow managed to A) find a colour that makes Madonna look seriously ill & B) make young boys recoil behind the sofa in a "Oh good christ it's Granny sex" kinda way!
It'll be Prince next, he'll probably marry Sam from Eastenders & invite Jimmy Carr to be in his new video. Ah Gad Agh, I'm gonna be sick.

14:10 / 18.11.05

2 things:

Confessions of a Dancefloor is a far superior title.

Harrison Ford - you're right. That outfit does make me think of Granny sex. It was implicit until you mentioned it, now all I can think of is a wrinkly C U Next Thursday. Blech, to quote Cracked Magazine.

Regrettable Juvenilia

14:53 / 18.11.05

Yes, quite agreed, obviously - since women cease to be sexual beings at the age of 40, they should cover up and dress appropriately and sensibly from then on.

Quite. Agreed.

14:53 / 18.11.05

just wait tl she's eighty!
i dont think there's any way to stop her performing, especially with all that yoga.

the song is a bit average,isnt it?
i dont mind the beat, but it is kinda ruined by being chopped into a that song structure and having her less than spectacula vocal over the top.
(i am assuming it was edited to fit her needs, as JleC knows better. i could be wrong.)

and y'know?
even despite the "eeeep!" factor of that outfit i'd still sleep with her if she bought the drinks.

Harrison Ford, in a battle suit, wheels for feet, knives and guns

15:04 / 18.11.05

"Yes, quite agreed, obviously - since women cease to be sexual beings at the age of 40, they should cover up and dress appropriately and sensibly from then on."

Well obviously not, however she looks like a ming in the video.

15:12 / 18.11.05

Petey - have you seen this outfit? Madge is still hot thanks to yoga and vigorous exercise. Her thighs are like pistons of pure sexual energy because they're so well-toned. She was and still is a sexual icon. It's the outfit that screams "old lady".

15:54 / 18.11.05

i am assuming it was edited to fit her needs, as JleC knows better. i could be wrong.

Stuart JleC Price has been in Madonnas band as a keyboard player for about 4-5 years and co-wrote/ produced the new album, this isn't a one off collaboration- ie he doesn't know better... where he still makes his own music the impression i get is this is a long term collaboration thing with Madonna and there will be more from the pair of them...

16:02 / 18.11.05

really?

holy shit.
why is his own stuff so much better, then?
i mean, zoot woman are wicked.
les rhythmes digitales were wicked.

perhaps he isnt as in control as he is with his own stuff?
or maybe, more worrylingly, he is...

jings.
that's one autobot i thought'd never get a dent.

i'll have to have another listen, i reckon.

D Terminator XXXIII

19:13 / 18.11.05

Is it worth buying for Christmas for me ma?

Tolly.

I bought it earlier today and have been listening to it repeatedly; it's a better whole than she's ever managed to create before mainly because there's no truly obvious next single that blight most of the other tracks (as in: the titular track of Ray of Light), and she seems to be channeling a mixture that includes Goldfrapp's Black Cherry, housey NY disco and melancholic pop. Okay, I've fallen hard for Push because it's so damn funky and different than most of the other tracks, but I reckon it's her best album.

Ever.

16:32 / 20.11.05

Am I the only person who here who liked 'Music'? I really enjoyed that album, thought it was great fun.

I think all y'all who are speculating that Madge will be separating from La Ritchie are seriously mistaken - Madonna is a smart businesswoman and she learned from the disaster that was "American Life." I think she obviously likes experimenting but to keep herself in the scene somewhat, she's got to produce what the Madonna fan crowd likes - dance music. I really doubt it's a radical turn of events other than 'Oh shit, I better make money off this album.."

"Hung Up's" been my song of the week (I know I'm late to the game but better late than never). It's a great little tune.

BTW I distinctly remember all the Abba tunes of the 70s being popular in the States, but it is certainly true that the level Abba love in the states will never match that of European Abba love.

"Like A Prayer" - Ha one of the funniest Madonna tunes ever. Especially the video with her earnestly looking heavenward: "God?"

17:27 / 20.11.05

No, I liked Music too.

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