Hard Candy takes too much crunching

Madonna - Hard Candy
3/5

Well, well. Madonna is back for her 11th CD. Damn! This girl's accomplished. She's really changed musically over the past-God can't count with enough fingers of-years. Madonna has always had that pop feel. Over the past 5 r 6 years, though, she has adapted a more vibe/pop sound which was catchy but a little scary when she started wearing a yoga suit in all of her videos.
"Hard Candy" is a pretty upbeat CD, just like "Confessions on a Dancefloor", but with a real R&B influence that's believable and enough to make a DJs pickings much easier at the proms this year. The cover of this CD is anything but attractive, and might have to be refrained from looking at by all purchasers (hopefully they put one of those large stickers over her). But, I'm not here to talk about fifty-year-olds posing in lingere and a westling belt; I'm here for the musica!
The loss here is that most of the tracks are forgettable, and that's pretty much Madonna's trade mark. However, each track is worth a dance. That's the real great thing about this CD. Of course, the single "4 Minutes" is the only amazing track on the CD, and that's because whatever Timbaland touches turns to gold. The other good song to look for is "Beat Goes On", which is a flashdance song, but features Kanye West rapping near the end, which adds a cool vibe. Other songs like "Incredible", "Devil Wouldn't Recognize You" and "Spanish Lesson" are really diverse and add the spunk to the hard candy.
Overall, not bad, but not enough.

BEST SONGS: Devil Wouldn't Recognize You, 4 Minutes, Spanish Lesson, Voices, Incredible

Ashlee's Bitterness Becomes Sweet!

Ashlee Simpson - Bittersweet World
4/5

Ashlee Simpson was always the little pop princess who followed in the footsteps of her younger sister. Ashlee has always had better music, perhaps because Jessica has no creativity when it comes to making new music. Ashlee's first CD "Autobiography" was a little dull, and full of forgettable bubble-gum pop. When "I Am Me" hit shelves two years later, she prooved that she was a creative and innovative artist. "I Am Me" had some good songs, but Ashlee's singles didn't really fly too high, except for "Boyfriend", which became the most danced-to song of that year.
When Ashlee released "Outta My Head" as her new single, there was lots of controversy. "She copied Gwen Stefani's style" was the most common form of criticism. The song really grew on many people, but some dismissed it, and it became a weak chart-topper, pushing the release of "Bittersweet World", her third LP to a further date. Ashlee went ahead and release "Little Miss Obsessive" which will possbly become the catchiest song this year. Not to mention it takes the voice of Plain White T's lead singer, Tom Higgenson. The single is still climbing up the charts.
On Tuesday, "Bittersweet World" was leaked onto the internet in a wide frenzy, and got many free downloads (whether thats god or not, i have no clue). The CD embarks on a whole new road, Ashlee has pushed herself to make a fun and catchy-as-hell CD which will probably climb up the charts whenits released on April 22nd. The CD has hardly any weak points and is full of fun, dancy and catchy songs. Not to mention, Ashlee's lyrical taste has improved on tracks like "Bittersweet World", "What I've Become", "Never Dream Alone" and the bonus track "Invisible". There is so much content worth listening to in this 11 track disc that you will play it over and over and always bop your head and get up and dance.
Songs like "Hot Stuff", "Murder", "Rule Breaker" and "Outta My Head" show a new side to Ashlee's music. The upbeat and ridiculous musical style is what makes these songs shine and stand out. She has clearly stepped over the line and become an abstract artist of most sorts. Though these songs don't do anything lyrically (maybe "Murder") they will be the ones that catch your ears the first time you listen to the CD.
Some songs stick to Ashlee's old news, which does dumb the album a little (like "Boys"), but the songs aren't like the first CD, so you will still have their catchy beats in your head, but you won't like them as much as the other songs.
If your an old Ashlee fan, maybe you should step away, because theres not much on here for you, but if you're willing to respect her approach on this new sound, than pick up a copy on APRILL 22ND!

VERDICT: Ashlee's broken her old rules and moved into a new shell, right where she belongs.

BEST SONGS (in order):
1. What I've Become
2. Never Dream Alone
3. Bittersweet World
4. Murder
5. Hot Stuff
6. Little Miss Obsessive
7. No Time For Tears
8. Rule Breaker
9. Ragdoll
10. Boys
11. Outta My Head (Let's face it, it got old)

ALSO CHECK THE 4 BONUS TRACKS: Invisible, I'm Out, Can't Have It All & Follow You Wherever You Go (GREAT SONGS)

Back From Hiatus!

I'm sorry for being gone so long, but I'm back to take on 2008s music world! I will have reviews for some of the CDs that i missed and they will take the spots as the Best Albums of the Months.
ENJOY!