I started off my Madonna day early, when Apple and lovely iTunes blessed me with the gift of giving me The queen of pop's new album early.
This is the 13th studio album given to us by the lady herself, and it has been interesting to me to see how many people come out of the woodwork to slam it and the 56 year old star.
And I'm just about sick of.
No one seems to give a dirty damn when Paul McCartney gets up there and embarrasses himself with a Kanye West performance. (For the record--the gods of music are cringing at those two names being put into even the same sentence together.) I find it extremely offensive and utterly sexist that Madonna constantly gets called out for how she looks, what she wears, and "how young she is trying to look." So Bob Dylan and ol' Paul "Mackers" can get up on stage looking like dried-up alligator wallets that you accidentally washed in the washing machine, but you are going to judge Madonna and her appearance?
"Oh, but they are legends," some might say.
At this point, I would call Madonna legendary.
Right about now, I think we can begin to refer to Ms. MDNA as a legend. Whether you like her or not, you've got to admit that this is the woman who has changed the face of music consistently for the last three decades.
Anything the queen of pop delivers to us in terms of new music should be listened to and respected. For me, Rebel Heart has been an interesting listen, but a valid one that solidifies, in my mind, that bitch still has what it takes and is still shaking the world with her edginess and originality.
Not every track in REBEL HEART is my favourite, and there are certainly some I do not care for, but isn't that every album ever bought? Rarely are CDs perfect to a T. But don't let that seem like I am dismissing the extraordinary single that is Living for Love. Tracks like Ghosttown, S.E.X., Illuminati, Hold Tight, Joan of Arc, and the album title track Rebel Heart are instant favourites upon first listen.
This isn't the typical Madge album full of non stop dance hits, though. There is depth to Rebel Heart and a vulnerability that Ms. Ciccone rarely lets us see. Songs like Heartbreak City, Joan of Arc, Wash All Over Me, and Messiah let us hear a Madonna scarred by the industry and Madonna embracing her weaknesses. This is a woman who rarely shares her fears.
We get a little contemporary silliness from her as well: Devil Pray, Bitch I'm Madonna, and Veni Vidi Vici remind us that the music we are listening to is still Madonna and she always has had an opinion and a cheeky disposition.
In short, this is Madonna. Has been Madonna. And always will be Madonna. And this Unapologetic Bitch will listen to the legend that is MADONNA as long as she keeps gracing our planet with her presence and voice.
Let us not forget of whom we speak. This is no flash in the pan pop star. This is fucking Madonna. How many countless singles of hers have changed the world or at least shook it a little off its axis?
This is the woman who wrote Holiday, Lucky Star, Erotica, Truth or Dare, Like A Virgin, Like a Prayer, Crazy for You, Ray of Light, Jump, Frozen, Borderline, Get Into the Groove, Papa Don't Preach, This Used to be My Playground, Die Another Day, Express Yourself, Hung Up, Cherish, Girl Gone Wild, Love Profusion, Sorry, Open Your Heart, Music, Beautiful Stranger, and Who's That Girl? Fucking VOGUE, for Chris'sakes!!!
So bow down and respect the artist, singer, songwriter, actress, author, mom, and businesswoman that is the extraordinary Madonna. Sit down, sit back, and enjoy Rebel Heart. It may be a bumpy ride upon take off, but it's a musical journey worth diving into.
