Album Review: Madonna "MDNA" Terrible, Bad or Just Average? I'm Not Even Sure!

Going solely on my first listen of Madonna's twelfth studio album, MDNA, this was how I was going to open the subsequent review:

I'm going to dust off a word to describe Madonna's new album, MDNA, that by its very usage, in the 21st century, will probably make it applicable to me, but it’s so apt that I don't really have a choice. Simply put, MDNA is kinda "Naff".

However subsequent listens have warmed me to it, but not in a way that I feel entirely comfortable with the set. There is still a gnawing sensation that something isn't right with it, but I can't seem to put my finger on it. The reason I include this is because it doesn't feel like the book is fully shut on this review, but for it to be timely it has to be published now. Further listens to the album, or opinions from you guys, may have me reconsidering my thoughts on it and if that happens they will be placed right at the bottom, and the rest of the review will be unaltered. Anyway, let me take my meds and get on with the real review

REVIEW:

Review: Katy Perry Performs "Part Of Me" Live At 2012 Echo Awards

At the 2012 Echo Awards Katy Perry gave yet another pitchy performance of new single Part Of Me. One could argue Perry makes up for the vocal deficiency with her peppy and energetic stage presence, but I don't understand how someone who has just finished an extensive tour- where she sang live- could still sound like such an amateur.

Taken from the re-release of 2010's Teenage Dream, which now carries the suffix "The Complete Confection", people could argue the star is just having teething trouble with the new material. But Perry has already sung it live a few times- Sports Relief and the Grammys- and it doesn't seem to be getting any better, so surely it can't be that. 

Video Review: Madonna "Girl Gone Wild". The Queen is back!

Is it possible for me to dislike a video featuring high-heel wearing and ultra fierce male dance troupe/singers Kazaky? I think not! So it's no small wonder I really like the accompanying video for Madonna's new single, Girl Gone Wild. [single review]

Review: Gossip return with "Perfect World"

Beth Ditto and her motley crew, collectively known as Gossip have returned, Hooray! The group's energetic last album, Music for Men, seems like it was released an eternity ago (2009 in actuality) and with Ms Ditto releasing an EP in 2011 I was worried that that was the end of the trio, and solo stardom beckoned. But new single Perfect World means my prayers have been heard, and they return with their fifth album, A Joyful Noise, in May of 2012.

Tour Review: Florence + The Machine, The Ceremonials Tour [Cardiff & London]

Setting out on the promotional tour for latest album Ceremonials, Florence +the Machine touched down in the United Kingdom after already having put shows on in Asia, America and Australia since it kicked off in October of 2011. With over 80 dates between then and its last in Sweden, on the 14th of August 2012, I was hoping I'd get to see her when she reached my home town of London this month, but it wasn't to be...initially.

So, thinking I'd missed out on tickets for Florence + The Machines’ London gig, I took my English butt and hopped on a train, over the border, to Wales and its capital city Cardiff to catch the Ceremonials Tour a little more west than I had planned.And what a time I had, but I'll stick to describing the show...

Reveiw: Jennifer Hudson & Ne-Yo ‘Think Like A Man’ [featuring Rick Ross]

Jennifer Hudson is back, looking amazing and rocking a little choreography, in new video Think Like A Man. It's a mid-tempo affair that she is joined on by singer Ne-Yo and rapper Rick Ross, and is lifted from the soundtrack of a movie that shares the same name.

This definitely brings back memories of 90's R'n'B. I love the way the song builds, starting with a looped chant rolling over some sprightly chords. The beat then kicks in and Jennifer Hudson's consistent delivery brings the empowering lyrics to life with gusto and belief. From there the song's featured co-stars and the middle eight keep it chugging along nicely.

Review: Madonna's "Girl Gone Wild", Better or worse than "Give Me All Your Luvin'"?

Girl Gone Wild is Madonna's second single to be lifted from upcoming album MDNA and its just hit the internet! But the question is, does it share the same corrupt (M)DNA as first and flop single Give Me All Your Luvin', or has Madonna finally given us a worthy comeback single?

I should say outright that I like Girl Gone Wild a lot more than her last single- though that doesn't seem to be an opinion shared by readers on the site if the chatbox comments are to believed (please let me know why below :P). But my fondness for it may be in large part due to it sounding like it would have fitted perfectly on the Confessions On A Dance floor album, an album I am quite fond of.

Review: Cassie "King Of Hearts"

Do you guys remember noughties singer Cassie? She was responsible for the ambient, R'n'B hit Me and U back in 2006? If you don't I'll post it below, maybe it'll jog the old noggin. Well, the 25 year old has been teasing with promises of new music for six years now, and finally delivered with new single King Of Hearts.

Review: Rihanna Performs "We Found Love" And Duets With Chris Martin On "Princess Of China" At The 2012 Grammy Awards [Watch]

Rihanna kept the energy levels up at the 2012 Grammy Awards Ceremony, delivering perhaps one of her most choreographed performances to date.

Her vocals during the piano led intro of We Found Love sounded good but became more pitchy as it progressed with her using some melisma to quickly get away from the missed note. However, once the substantial backing of the song started, she hit her stride, dancing and belting the notes, with a rasp at times, almost perfectly.

Review: Alexandra Burke "Elephant"

Want a guaranteed hit record? Who doesn't! Well, you could try the same tactic as Alexandra Burke has employed with new single Elephant, and take a whole load of popular hits and cram them into one song. Genius, right?

Single Review: JoJo "Disaster"

JoJo is back with first single, Disaster, from her third, upcoming 2012 album, Jumping Trains. Originally finding her biggest success as a teenager with début single Leave (Get Out) way back in 2004, the singer- songwriter has returned, out of her teens- though, only barely at 20- readying herself to make the difficult leap from teenage star to it's adult equivalent.

What better way to do this then by adding a rock tinge to the music. Sure, it's clichéd and predicable, but if it works who cares. The question is, does it work for JoJo on Disaster?

Album review: Rihanna "Rated R"+ "Loud" = "Talk that Talk"

I wasn't really that a big of a fan of Rihanna's last album Loud. Loved some of the singles like Only Girl (In the world) and S and M, as well as the sexy album cut Skin, but for me it had it's fingers in too many musical pies to really be considered an album of real merit. Well, Rihanna seems to have learnt her lesson in that year away from the studio, and has returned more focused and confident on Talk that Talk.

Review: Lady Gaga 2011 European Music Awards (EMA) Performance of "Marry The Night"

Having seen the pictures released of Lady Gaga's performance of Marry The Night at the 2011 European Music Awards yesterday, and it being one of my favourite songs from Born This Way, I was itching all night to see the actual performance. Well, today I got my chance as a video of it made it's way on toYoutube!

Sitting astride a gigantic half moon, that looked as if it had just crash landed straight into the Belfast stage, a gigantic hat wearing Gaga started the performance pretty much static, and left her fantastic voice to impress without distraction .

Review: Lady GaGa- Telephone/Dance in the dark Medley at the 2010 Brit Awards

The week that Lady Gaga was scheduled to perform at the 2010 Brit awards tragedy struck as her friend and fashion designer Alexander McQueen committed suicide.

Initially there had been wild speculation in the papers that Gaga had been planning an elaborate, extravagant and costly performance.