Persevering with Rebel Heart because of things like this. What a song. What a video.
Viewing entries tagged
madonna
Tom Hocknell:
Rebel Heart starts so bloody well it’s basically the EP of her career, although there’s an immediate sticking point. The problem with “Devil Pray” isn’t the sultry tune, which flirts with Arabic chanting in the same way “La Isla Bonita” flirted with flamenco, but the lyrics. If you pretend she’s 18 it’s great, but she wouldn’t be where she was today if she followed half the song’s suggestions: “We can get stoned/And we can sniff glue/And we can do E/And we can drop acid”. Really? Didn’t we get this ‘down with the kids’ thing out of the system with the MDNA album?
Without wanting to detract from her own songwriting, Madonna has recently worked with so many people that it’s almost insulting to those she hasn’t. There are too many lazily dialed in collaborations from people she’s never met, and there’s even a song called “Illuminati”, which perfectly demonstrates why b-sides need to be re-introduced (there are 19 songs here, when there could be 12).
Spot on review. It's such a haphazard album and far too long. I always like to listen to albums in full but with this one I'm going to make a supercut playlist and forget that half of it exists.
Still, miles better than her previous two albums.
Ok then, inspired by this project as compiled by @CLButler76 here's a list of top 50 debut albums, as chosen by me.
These are the debuts I've enjoyed the most. That's the only criteria I've applied. 'Influential' or 'landmark' isn't factored in. This of course is just my excuse for putting things like the Little Boots record here. I'm not claiming it's more important than your Zeppelin or your Psychocandy. Although I am.
Numbers 50-41:
50) Veruca Salt - American Thighs
Neither loose nor tight. Neither black nor white.
They're back together now. All four of them. As it should be.
49) Kenickie - At The Club (1997)
I don't think Lauren realises how good Kenickie were.
48) Secret Machines - Now Here Is Nowhere (2004)
Benjamin Curtis was involved in two very different and special bands. What a talent.
47) Bon Iver - For Emma, Forever Ago (2007)
Atmospheric. Emotional. Very Justin Vernon.
46) Little Boots - Hands (2009)
I know you've all forgotten about this pop masterpiece already. You shouldn't have. It's ace.
45) Tanya Donelly - Lovesongs For Underdogs (1997)
A natural progression in sound from Belly. The standout tracks are the singles Pretty Deep and The Bright Light. Oh Tanya.
44) Madonna - Madonna (1983)
What exceptional early 80s pop this is, Borderline especially.
43) The Killers - Hot Fuss (2004)
We're not supposed to like this lot anymore it seems. Not sure why. I love this album.
42) Joy Division - Unknown Pleasures (1979)
I got into this record late. Very late.
41) Exitmusic - Passage (2012)
Although they released an 8 track 'EP' in 2007 this is officially their debut I think.
The Los Angeles Citybeat reviewer nailed it with "The freakishly talented duo of Aleksa Palladino and Devon Church always makes me think of two sweet kids strolling hand-in-hand into Armageddon".
I'd been listening to them for ages before I watched a video and realised Aleksa played Angela in Boardwalk Empire. Like finding out that Donna Hayward or Shelly Johnson fronted Throwing Muses.