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Soundcheck Smackdown: Madonna: Diva or Done?
Like Janet Jackson and Whitney Houston, Madonna will spend 2008 attempting to reclaim the diva crown she once held. Her new album out today, "Hard Candy," is either the Material Girl's return to dance-pop form, or an aging star's sad trip down memory lane. (Either way, collaborators Justin Timberlake, Timbaland and the Neptunes are along for the ride.) We'll debate Madonna's relevance with Los Angeles Times chief pop music critic Ann Powers and Greg Kot, Chicago Tribune pop music critic and co-host of the radio program "Sound Opinions."
Tell us: What do you think of Madonna? Is she a diva ... or done?
Our blog: Find out what John Schaefer thinks of Madonna.
Ann Powers' review of "Hard Candy"
Greg Kot's review of "Hard Candy"
Sound Opinions web site
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Comments
i really do not like "SOUNDCHECK SMACKDOWN"
She's pretty much "Arby's" by now.
You've got to be kidding. Does anyone really care? (What time does the next segment begin?)
How much of this new album is Madonna's own creativity and how much is Madonna just putting her image and voice on a packaged and produced product?
Why are we still discussing Madonna?
Her greatest talent, aside from surrounding herself with talented people to make up for her own complete lack of musical talent, was self marketing.
I'll go see Madonna when she's a lounge act at the Algonquin.
What is this crap? She-and all her friends on this record-should just go into retirement and count their money.
William Orbit saved Madonna once. Now she's trying again by jumping on another bandwagon.
And please don't compare that song to Losing My Religion.
y'all are whack.
madonna's still the bomb.
greg is making no sense. madonna's no master musician but she is a diva performer/artist.
As Bob said, who cares? She's definitely a "hasbeen" at this point.
Please get rid of this segment. It's bringing the show down. There are enough outlets for this junk. Listeners look to Soundcheck for more.
"like a virgin" was catchy and had personality.....that single you just played was simply lifeless crap.
next topic.
Madonna is like an aging porn star!
she had her time.
Why don't we talk about how old and irrelevant and unappealing Bruce Springsteen or Bob Dylan are, let alone the Rolling Stones?! Because she's a woman who dares to keep assaying her relevance to the many fans who love her and are excited for each of her new albums. I am excited for this one and the next one and all of her albums as they come.
I can't help it, I love her. Also, the new album isn't anything original but I love it.
Have to love a woman who has two kids and stil is as ambitious as ever.
Madonna is great. And if 'pop' music is relevant then she is relevant. Confessions on Dance Floor is what, 2 years old, and that was great, classic Madonna. Now that she is going to be 50 she's going to be irrelevant? Is this agism? So Hard Candy isn't as good. American Life sucked - maybe this is her pattern. Why are we tearing her apart?
Kids are listening. My 5th grade daughter asked me to look up the words of 4 minutes yesterday. All her friends are talking about it!
I never liked her or found her relevant. What did Joni Mitchell say about buying talent?
I haven't bought a Madonna record in years, but it seems like each new release sends me back to the old stuff. So, that's good for her, right?
i think we gotta look at who she's making this album for, not anyone on this show thats for sure.
She's making this album for the teens and she's gonna sell millions, probably will out sell ALL of her young competition... she's still a diva.
I think that people are taking this way too seriously. Is Madonna a great singer? No. Is she a great dancer? No. Madonna does know how to put her strengths forward and is an amazing performer, all around. If you start picking her apart, then it all falls apart. Let's remember that the disc is called Hard Candy. Candy may not be good for you or nutritious, but sometimes you just need some. Sometimes I just need some Madonna. She definitely is relevant, regardless of whether the new disc is great or just fun.
Don't you find it odd that mostly MEN are talking about Madonna...makes you wonder...
Millions buy Coke... but it tastes nasty and is bad for you. Marketing gets you everywhere.
Smack down seems a little sensational and cheap - I love new sounds though!
Hey - what about Joni or Aretha - c'mon! Madonna? spectacle, that is it. Is it music?
Isn't LIVE NATION part of clear channel? the weird right wing conglomo-corp that is ruining authenticity in NYC?
this conversationsuxtalkabout something else!
From the excerpt that you just played I'm not too thrilled. Timberlake isn't much of a producer!
It's just not very original is it? Not the name, not the sound, nothing about it.
Seems like nothing more than a half hearted vanity project.
in 100 years, 500 years, people will still speak of Madonna. a Goddess never dies
It bothers me that WNYC is wasting valuable air time talking about music with not emotional or intellectual core. It's vapid crap. I'm sure they think it will boost ratings but they're just going to lose their core audience. I turn to public radio because it's a respite from all of the commercial drivel that the mainstream media pumps out at us constantly.
This thread is closed.
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