I just couldn’t help myself! I’m still asking for the proper CD for Xmas, don’t worry…
1. Hung Up
Obviously I love this one. Madonna + Abba sample + Gwen influence = a very happy Jessica!
2. Get Together
I can’t believe it – another song copying Take Your Time (Do It Right) by the SOS Band! Although I prefer to believe she is in fact plagiarising September’s acetastic version of the song. If you’re thinking, hasn’t Madonna sung a song with the words “get together” before, you’re on the right track – this song also samples and at the end turns into her first mega-hit, Holiday, which actually said “come together” not “get together”, but it’s near enough. On top of all that, this song also samples Music Sounds Better With You by Stardust!
3. Sorry
Now this is getting spooky. Remember that ace dance-pop band from the late 90s/early 00s, The Tamperer? Well, not only did they, like Madonna, sample Gimme Gimme Gimme on their single Hammer To The Heart, but their biggest and most brilliant hit sampled Feel It by the Jackson Five – and so does this! Sorry is rumoured to be the 2nd single from this album and I’m pleased that it is cos it’s one of the most poppy tracks. Madonna is such a good embassador for pop these days!
4. Future Lovers
This begins with a talky bit which reminds me of Madonna’s song Erotica, but in fact it samples I Feel Love by Donna Summer, one of the biggest ever disco classics, showing Madge is really serious about this disco thing, although the album does sound rather like a remix compilation CD as opposed to a normal album. It’s not a bad thing, though – it’s good fun to spot all the references.
5. I Love New York
This song is obviously meant to build up but it’s very slow getting into it’s stride. It’s more ‘proper’ dance music, and so less pop, but it’s still very good – much better than your average ‘proper’ dance song. It would fit well on the Ray Of Light or Music albums, but would be one of the best songs on the latter at least.
6. Let It Will Be
Here’s another reference to her past as this starts like Papa Don’t Preach. The stupid title puts me off a bit, but it’s a strong, typical Madonna album track with a nice upbeat stringy (that is so not the technical term) background.
7. Forbidden Love
An ace synthy 80s track, the most ballad-like I think. A very nice one. The beeps remind me of something, I can’t think what, but it’s annoying me so if you know please leave a comment!
8. Jump
This one has a really ace, poptastic chorus. The sound is a mixture of the poppier Ray of Light tracks and her early work such as my old fave Into The Groove.
9. How High
Madonna makes her own jokes by putting this track after the previous one. Is it a secret message, a cry for help? Well, probably not,
10. Isaac
Who is Isaac? I think she must mean the old (a few thousand years by now in fact!) Jewish bloke, as this song also has Jewish chants in it. It seems to be the only Kabullah reference on the album but I wouldn’t be suprised if there were more. It gets a bit boring after a while, but at least it’s unusual/inventive.
11. Push
The “keeep ooon puuushing” parts remind me of Mariah’s hit, Fantasy. The song is very poppy and generally really great. I would say this and Jump are my joint favourites, after Hung Up. I like most the “every…” bits.
12. Like It Or Not
This is (I think) a bonus track, not yet available for download, so at least I’ll still have one surprise left for when I get the actual CD.