Welcome to Poptastic Confessions! This blog is dedicated to glorious, unashamed alternative pop music! We hope to share new music with you that you might not have heard before because it is usually overlooked by the masses. Of course, we'll always encourage you to buy the music legally to support the artists. Enjoy! —Davearama, editor of Poptastic Confessions
Hello Poptastic Readers, I realize that it has been rather quiet lately. I'm still enjoying the new Madonna album, MDNA. Other than that, there isn't much poptastic music news happening right now to share with you.
However, there are a few things going on behind the scenes right now for Swedish singer Annikafiore. The next EP is a remix EP! And the mixes are amazing! Not only that, Annikafiore is asking fans to remix her song "Love 2 Live." And you can do so by contacting her via her official Facebook page. And rumour has it there might be a special tribute to Alcazar fans on it. ~;-) And there is a new video about to come out soon. All seems too good to be true! But yes, Annikafiore has been hard at work trying to give fans what they want! More music and more videos!
If you haven't already done so, please head on over to iTunes or CDBaby (or even both if you're feeling extra generous) and purchase Annikafiore's debut EP "Preaching To The Choir" and the SoundFactory remixes of "Don't Wanna C U 2nite." It is really important to support the artist as Annikafiore isn't signed to a big record label. She is indiedisco! So spread the word! While we enjoy Annikafiore's music, here are some lovely photos that were taken of her performing at the World AIDS Day 2011 event in Kolingsborg, Sweden last year. The photos are courtesy of Peter Englund, Diamond Dogs and were taken by Hannah Welander.
Learn more about Annikafiore by reading my interview with her last year!
Hello Poptastic Readers! Sorry it has been awhile since my last post. Life gets busy. But last week Alphabeat debuted their new video for their latest single "Vacation."
And if that isn't good enough, the song is now available on US iTunes, so download the song and start dreaming about being on the beach. Until you make that a reality, enjoy the video ...
It's been over a week since I got Madonna's new album, MDNA. I almost rattled a review off right away. And I'm glad I didn't. While some songs have changed in my mind, other haven't. But it's good to have been listening every day so I can give you a better review.
There has never been a Madonna album that I liked every song on it. And this one is no different. I usually like the singles and a few more.
As I review the songs, I'll give 5 stars to the best, 1 star to the worst. Click on the titles of the songs to hear them, if you like.
MDNA by Madonna
"Girl Gone Wild." This is a great opening track to the album, and as you know it is the second single. I really like this song. I like its energy. I like the lyrics. The music is danceable … all-around a perfect pop song. On a friend's Facebook page, I saw someone write about this song, "Cyndi Lauper wants her lyrics back!" That made me laugh. Indeed, girls just wanna have some fun. I give it 5 out of 5 starts.
"Gang Bang." While I really like the music to this song, I really don't like the lyrics. It is far too violent and I don't like it at all. A friend of mine says it is his favourite track off the album. To me, it is the worst. If only there were lyrics that didn't involve excessive profanity and the killing of someone. As a parent, I wouldn't want any of my kids listening to it. I give it 1 out of 5 stars.
"I'm Addicted." I will admit, this took a few listens for me to get into the groove of this. I like it the more it goes along. Near the end of the song Madonna repeats "MDNA" over and over and I find that part a nice way to connect to the album. I love the music and think the lyrics and melody are pretty good. Even though I like it, I wouldn't see this as a single. I'd give it 3 out of 5 stars.
"Turn Up The Radio." I love this track! It is so uplifting! It makes me happy, happy, happy! At first, I thought this would be a great third single. However, the more I listen to it, I think the chorus just might be too simple. It could work well as a single. But there are others that I like more. I give this 4 out of 5 stars.
"Give Me All Your Luvin.'" Her first single, and it's a cheerleader track. I still like it, even though a lot of fans slagged it off. It's fun and it's catchy! Of course, I wish there was a version without MIA, as I don't like her part at all. At least there is the clean radio edit that takes out her cussing. I just wish there was an edit without her altogether! Having said that, she does look fabulous in the video. And I absolutely love the video! YAY Madonna! I give it 4 out of 5 stars.
"Some Girls." I wasn't sure about this at first, but the more I hear it, the more I love it. Yes, it has a few naughty lyrics. Clean it up a bit and tweak the first verse so the music doesn't sound like someone passing gas ... and you've got a great single. The beat is steady and cool. The chorus is SUPER catchy! It has become of my favourite tracks on the album. I'd give it 5 out of 5 stars.
"Superstar." This is a radio friendly song and the masses will probably eat it up. I like it, but I don't love it. To me, it tries too hard. Someone definitely got out the rhyming dictionary. And the name dropping goes on and on. Again, I like it. But it isn't a favourite. It gets 3 out 5 stars.
"I Don't Give A." This one features Nicki Minaj and Madonna rapping. Every time I hear it, I am reminded of the awful rap in Madge's song "American Life." While I do think some of the lyrics are funny, I'm not sold on the song. I give it 2 out of 5 stars.
"I'm A Sinner." Entertainment Weekly calls this the best song on the album. I like it, but I would disagree. You can't help but hear a couple of previous Madonna songs here: "Ray Of Light" and "Beautiful Stranger." The lyrics are funny. And I like it. I'll give it 3 out of 5 stars.
"Love Spent." I absolutely can't get enough of this song. I LOVE it! The lyrics are definitely about her divorce from Guy Ritchie. The lyrics are bittersweet. The music sounds like it is sampling her 2005 megahit "Hung Up", which sampled ABBA's "Gimme Gimme Gimme (A Man After Midnight)." I really want to this to be the next single! It is that good. I hope it isn't overlooked as a single. This a wonderful Madonna moment! Cherish it! Also, I've noticed when I get this song in my head, that I start singing the lyrics to "When Doves Cry" by Prince to the melody of this song. Do I hear a mashup coming? I give it 5 out of 5 stars.
"Masterpiece." This is the song that won a Golden Globe for best original song for Madonna's directorial debut movie "W.E." I like it and think it is very nice adult contemporary track. However, I'm just not crazy about it. I think her vocals are very nice. All in all, this a nice song, but for me personally ... I find myself skipping it. For that reason, I'll give it 2 out of 5 stars, even though I think it should probably be a 3.
"Falling Free." This has the prettiest, most haunting melody I've heard from Madonna in a long time. It is AMAZING! I want to listen to it over and over. I feel at peace listening to it. Of course I think it would be lovely to be a single so that more people could hear it. But it's such a gem, maybe it is best as a non-single. I give this 5 out 5 stars.
There are some bonus songs with the deluxe version. I'm not crazy about any of them. Maybe "Beautiful Killer" is the best. But ... I'm not sold on it.
Overall, I like the album. She's had worse. And I think this is one of her better albums! So get your dancing shoes on! Smile and enjoy! And skip track #2!
