MADONNA - MDNA : DELUXE EDITION (2CD)

Madonna is back with one of her best albums in years. I grew up on Madonna's music and am still a big fan today, and this album doesn't disappoint. It's a shame that "Give me all your luvin'" was chosen as the lead single as there are so many other tracks here that are better. It's definitely worth paying out the extra few quid to get the Deluxe version (DV) as the extra tracks are ALL good and not just second-rate songs cut from the main album (Beautiful Killer and Best friend are particular highlights). My only gripe is that the 5 extra DV songs are on a second disc, when they could easily have fitted them onto the same disc as the rest (I know cos I burnt my own cd with all 17 tracks on it). This album is full of potential singles and it's great to see Madonna still going strong after almost 3 decades. Oh yeah...I love the DV cover artwork.

I have not followed Madonna's career every step of the way and although I have gradually accumulated several of her albums over the years I, by no means, own the whole collection. The hype surrounding the release MDNA was simply too great to ignore and consequently I pre-ordered the deluxe version of the album and eagerly awaited it's release date. I will now provide my initial impressions of the tracks:

1. Girl Gone Wild- The spoken word intro really does set the tone for the album and I cannot imagine a better opener. The lyrics are, of course, utterly banal, but does it really matter when the music is this catchy. As other reviewers have noted this does sound somewhat similar to her previous hit single `Celebration', but this track is probably even better and deserves to be a hit. 8.5/10

2. Gang Bang- Madonna is well-known for being very experimental and whilst many have commented that in recent years this experimentalism has been somewhat toned down there is no doubt that this track certainly flies in the face of that argument. It's pulsating beat signifies a dance track in a similar vein to the opener, however the spoken verses and chorus in which Madonna talks about shooting her lover in the head are not indicative of a typical dance track. It also features a dubstep breakdown and Madonna aggressively shouting later in the song. It's oddly great! 8/10

3. I'm Addicted- A high-paced, dancey track, which sounds brilliant turned up loud. Lyrically speaks of being addicted to someone's love and all the emotions that go with that. The title of the album `MDNA' is chanted repeatedly near the end of the track interspersed with the chorus. It's different, it's catchy, it once again sets a high standard. 8.5/10

4. Turn Up The Radio-This track is already being labelled as a `fan-favourite' and having given it a few listens I can definitely understand why. It's very radio-friendly and in that respect would be a good candidate for a future single. It's a dance-oriented track and retains the momentum and pace of the first few songs. 8/10

5. Give Me All Your Luvin'-The controversial first single. I actually quite like it although I can see why others have reservations. The cheerleader-esque chanting detracts from what is otherwise an uptempo and catchy pop-tune. Nicki Minaj makes her mark in the rap she contributes, MIA fails to have the same impact and her section passes by largely unnoticed. I don't necessarily think this will have the longevity of some of the other tracks on the album. 7.5/10

6. Some Girls-This is not a cover, but rather an original dance-track. Musically it's once again one of the more inventive numbers, however where Gang Bang triumphs this one doesn't have quite the same appeal for me. It feels a bit messy, and although there are elements of the track I like, overall it is one of the weaker tracks in my view. 5/10

7. Superstar- The reviews I have read thus far have levelled a lot of criticism at this track for its' genericism and clichéd lyrics. I, however, do not have the same reservations. It is hideously catchy and has an uplifting message about being in love captured in the chorus line `ooo la la you're my superstar, ooo la la love the way that you are'. It is certainly a shift away from the focus on Madonna's divorce which features elsewhere on the album, but it is one to sing-a-long to! One of my favourites. 9.5/10

8. I Don't Give A- The second track to feature a contribution from Nicki Minaj. In stark contrast to `Superstar' this one channels Madonna's anger about her divorce and the monetary issues surrounding it. Madonna rapping constitutes the verses and Minaj brings her trademark style to another rap towards the end of the track. This track works well in my view and the choir featured at the close of the song certainly add another dimension to what is already an interesting addition to the album. 8/10

9. I'm A Sinner-Madonna has tackled the issue of religion in varying ways over the years and this is the topic which features in this song. It's undeniably catchy particularly once the chorus kicks in and there are musical echoes of the song `Ray of Light'. The vocals veer from sedate to manic and that only adds to the mystery and intrigue of the track. It has grown on me on repeated listens and in my view is one of the best songs on the album. 9/10

10. Love Spent- This is the first of three tracks to slow the pace of the album. This could be described as an uptempo ballad if that's possible! That famous ABBA sampling from Hung Up features in a different format here and Madonna has created a completely different track surrounding the same musical sample. Lyrically this is possibly the strongest track on the album as Madonna. The only slight detracting feature is the overly electronically-enhanced vocals. 8.5/10

11. Masterpiece- This song also features as the soundtrack to WE the feature film Madonna has recently directed. This is a much more traditional ballad and it's nice to hear vocals which don't sound processed here. It's a love song plain and simple. Yet despite the more conventional musical and lyrical structure it still fits in well to the album as a whole and I really like it. 9/10

12. Falling Free-Almost every review I have read has singled this out as one of if not the album highlight. It begins with mystical synths and carries an air of mystery throughout. Vocally it's sublime, without doubt the best vocals on the entire collection. It is a very fitting way to end the standard edition of the album. It is also very melancholy which contrasts brilliantly with the anger and joy displayed elsewhere. Needless to say therefore I agree with the other reviews-it's simply fantastic. 9.5/10

DELUXE VERSION
13. Beautiful Killer- Often deluxe tracks are second-rate songs which weren't chosen for the standard version for a reason. Thankfully `Beautiful Killer' goes some way to allaying fears that this is the case on MDNA. A change of pace from `Falling Free', but nevertheless a catchy track which is very easy on the ear indeed. It isn't the most inventive song here, but it's pretty good! 8/10

14. I F*****d Up- This is another brutally honest song and a fantastic addition to the main album. In fact it probably deserved a place on the standard version. The song starts out as a song lamenting mistakes and wondering what could have been in a ballad, but it is sped up dramatically for the second verse and there is a wonderful beat running throughout. 9.5/10

15. B-Day Song- MIA pops up here again and her contribution is felt more here than in `Gimme All Your Luvin' `. Lyrically this is a return to banality and it certainly doesn't convey a deeper meaning. That said, however, musically it's pretty good and once again it doesn't feel like a second-rate track. 8.5/10

16. Best Friend- The seemingly autobiographical lyrics return for this song, which is probably the weakest original track on the deluxe section. That said though this is more a reflection of the strength of the other tracks than on this one in particularly. It isn't particularly memorable, but it's very listenable. 7.5/10

17. Gimme All Your Luvin' (Party Rock Remix feat. LMFAO)- In my opinion this remix doesn't match up to the original version. Segments of LMFAO songs are inserted at intervals and there is a different musical accompaniment. There is little more to be said on this one. 6.5/10

Therefore my overall ratings are for the standard version: 8.25/10, deluxe tracks: 8/10. Overall rating: 8.18, which therefore equates to 4 stars. There are a lot of really good tracks on here and best of all there are a great variety of songs, songs to dance to, songs which you can reflect upon and perhaps best of all songs which provide an insight into the goings-on and emotions of Madonna's life. I can therefore thoroughly recommend this album!

A new Madonna release and 4 years in the waiting, surely MDNA is going to be better than "Hard Candy"?

Well yes it is, much better although still i doubt many will find it quite the classic Madonna that was "Ray of Light" or "Confessions on a dancefloor". However upon the first initial listen of MDNA i almost felt disapointed that it felt unimaginative and sounded tired, something everyone else was churning out at least 5 years ago.

However i was wrong and if you feel the same after the first listen then go back, listen another 3 or 4 times and i promise its a grower! Unfortunately Madonna hasn't really done herself any favours by releasing the weakest 2 songs that appear on the main album and if you hesitate because of "Give me all your luvin" and "Girls gone wild" i can assure you the rest is much better.

The song "Gang Bang" is new teritory for Madonna, a meaningful wispering about claiming revenge on a lover gets the album going with its bullet point beats and background trance rythems with gun shots and screeching car sounds make this a belter. Although i could not see it gracing the airwaves, i don't think the radio stations would know what to do with it!

"I'm addicted" sounds pretty typical Madonna with hints of the 80's with several repeats of "I I I I I'm addicted leading up to the chorus followed by chanting of the album title. This song is a grower and after a few listens even i feel the addiction of humming this song without playing it in the background.

"Turn up the radio" is probably a title that a lot of artists have had on their albums, although the writing is not that sophisticated (it as a journalist said) has a hook leading to the chorus that feels like a drop down an open man hole. This is pretty good stuff and the songs rythem is what will get you jumping around than the words will!

"Some Girls" has a touch of the voice effect that Madonna has been using on and off for some time now although this is certainly one of the better efforts but it takes a few listens. The basis of the song is around how Madonna is not like other girls, she doesn't tease, flirt or cry in limousine's?! No surely?! I'll leave you to work out that one!

"Superstar" is classic Madonna although the repeat of "ooh la la" i thought at first sounds a little back dated and singing "Super douper star" sounded as if Madonna could have sold the lyrics to one of the latest teen wannabe's to sing instead, however it is catchy and by no means is not the worst thing she has done.

"I don't give a" sounds like an 80's boom box style rap and took a little while to get into. Another rap by Nicki appears and the pair seem to slate Lady Gaga a little here. Madonna also generally throughout is rapping but really Madonna I really don't want to hear that you want to shake your ass!!

"I'm a Sinner" is also a good pop song with Madonna bringing in as she always does about religion but has both a catchy verse and chorus. This is followed on by another pop song called "Love Spent". This is one of my favourites on the album and although may not sound at first like an instant classic but it will hook you. Throughout the song the beats get more evident and the writing here is one of the best on the album.

The main album finishes with at last not one but 2 ballads, "Masterpiece" which has been gracing the airwaves and the amazing "falling free". Madonna really does do a ballad well and it has been worth the wait. The bonus disc i found the first 2 tracks are a winner but the rest forget it, i am going to pretend Madonna did not record these, the songs "B-Day song and "Best Friend" surely must be B sides from Hard Candy?!

Overall the album is good although don't expect a classic but give this a few listens before writing a review like i have as this takes a little time to find its feet, now it is being played as often as other favourites i own and certainly rates in the top 5 Madonna albums.