Licorice Whipped

UPDATE: My title was prophetic since Liz Rosenberg has taken the title Licorice off the menu. Her quote is uncharacteristically blunt, so I think the Madonna camp (or just Madonna!) is getting sick of all the speculation.

I wish Madonna well with her final Warner Bros. studio album (a hits package will follow), but my expectations are not high. I liked "The Beat Goes On" and "Candy Shop" fine, but I'm pretty sure whatever enthusiasm I had initially will have dissipated by the newly proposed late April release—I feel like they've already had their run, even if that's unfair. Plus most fans did not like those songs. (If anyone can find the dance remixes of "TBGO," I think you'll find they vastly improve that tune!)

Still, Madonna soldiers on, and is now apparently calling her candy-themed album Licorice. My take on that is

she is thinking that licorice is black candy and this is an urban record with a candy theme. (We better not see her doing blackface on the next tour.) Yes, I know licorice comes in other varieties, but anyway...I find the title very specific and unappealing. I was hoping for something like Sweet Tooth or even just Candy is better. It could be worse—nobody wants her last WB CD to be called Turkish Delight...!

There's also news that Kanye West now guests on "TBGO," which can only improve it since Pharrell's vocals on that track are pointless.

We'll see how it all turns out. Sometimes knowing too much is not a good thing, and I've also reacted negatively to things Madonna was about to do that quickly won me over. For example, I thought Ray Of Light was the silliest title ever before the record arrived, and an acquaintance reminded me that many fans groaned that she would dub her 1989 release Like A Prayer having already birthed Like A Virgin. Then again, American Life as a title and a theme seemed pretty dull prior to that aggressively-ignored disc's debut...and the second I saw the dreadful cover for it I knew it would never sell, not even if it contained the best music of her life (it didn't, but I'd also argue it didn't contain very many if any bad songs).

The biggest strike against Licorice—over four months from its release—is just that the element of surprise seems to have been ruined. I usually manage to still enjoy my sweet treats when I know in advance what I'm getting for dessert, so I'm hopeful this will hold true for the belated release of Licorice.

Comments

[Trub]

You said exactly what I was thinking. Licorice is a horrible title. I posted on a Madonna forum that I long for the pre-internet days. When a new Madonna song was dropped to radio and you had goosebumps on the first listen. Now there are "leaks" and the element of surprise is completely removed.

I can honestly say, Candyshop is one of my least favorite Madonna tracks ever. If it remains true to the leaked version, it will go down as my least favorite Madonna song ever unseating Jimmy Jimmy. Listening to Candyshop, IMO, is like having a root canal without pain killers. It is pure audio torture.

I feel she is going after Bedtime Stories lite. Hoping for the success and acclaim that skipped her then. Or at least the sales. Anything following on the heels of COADF has to be stellar.

I love our girl. Have followed her for years and will continue to do so. This album, title and leaked tracks, just has me wondering where she hopes to go. I pray that Candyshop can be remixed into a dancefloor anthem.

[Matthew Rettenmund]

Normally I'm not into being overly negative when it comes to pre-Madonna Events, but I know where you're coming from. I definitely don't dislike "Candy Shop" as much as you do. I do like it. It does not feel quite "right," but I like its parts. "My sugar is raw—sticky and sweet" is great, and I like the "Vogue"-esque part. The lyrics wouldn't stand out as bad except they're sung very plainly with no adornment so you're not distracted by a killer groove. But yeah, I feel most fans are not feeling it, and if fans are not feeling it, Top 40 is already not going to play it, so what is the potential? Plus, "Candy Shop" is not "urban" like her stated desire for what the album should be. It's just...not gelling for me. Speaking of surprises, I will NEVER FORGET the sheer, unadulterated shock and joy I felt when a DJ announced he was playing a new Madonna song and "Justify My Love" came on. Despite being a huge fan, I had NO IDEA she had that song coming out, and of course loved it. And as for hated Madonna songs, "Jimmy, Jimmy" is a good/bad choice, and is right up where with "Love Makes The World Go Round" as very forgettable and unnecessary. I've at least liked most of her hits, but I could live without ever hearing "Take A Bow" and "Crazy For You" again...

[Tomi]

I actually think American Life is one of her best album covers ever. M/M paris did a great job. And the music in that album has been completely underrated.

I think what I dislike about the leaked tracks is not only that they sound dated but also the idea that they could be first singles when they lack the strength. I'm really rooting for her to have another #1.

Like Trub I long for the pre-internet days. Her new material would jump on you out of nowhere. I remember having dinner in a restaurant when I first heard 'Secret' and I was so thrilled. Usually with Madonna you knew it was her even before she started singing. Up until CODF, her radio releases where very different from what other people were doing. That's not the vibe I get from the leaked tracks and certainly I'm not a fan of the title 'Licorice.' But although we know she can err in her fashion, touring, video or other kind of choices, one field where she definitely is more consistent is music, so I'm quite optimistic about it.

[Matthew Rettenmund]

True all dat, but as for AL, that cover was a horrendous mistake—I'm not knocking its composition or even looking at it artistically, but from a commercial standpoint, it screams: "DO NOT FUCKING BUY ME." And it also instantly looked like Hearst (which was instantly noted by lots of people), a really unpleasant and confusing icon to align oneself with.

[Tomi]

I agree. Although that choice in artwork, singles, etc. made me question if she was really thinking about selling millions and millions to begin with? Who knows.

BTW, all these links and not a single Güey Watcher? Tsk, tsk. :)
-T

[Matthew Rettenmund]

No, actually, I'm going to add you, but you have stopped putting your URL in your comments and I couldn't find you. I couldn't remember the name, so now I will seek you out and you'll go there for sure! Thanks for all the comments. We'll see how much traffic I drive to you...(maybe only a single-lane off-ramp will be needed)!

[Tomi]

That's nuff, as long it's not Nicole Richie driving on it. :)

[Tomi]

Oh, I see it now... thanks!! I feel famous now! =)

[kenneth]

Wow! While I'll admit "Love Makes the World Go Round" is the same tune as "Let's Hear It for the Boy," I think "Jimmy Jimmy" is a joy and feel the vocal arrangement of "Take a Bow" is probably the most complicated slash brilliant thing Madonna ever did. I guess everyone truly is a critic, but boy would those have not been my songs to pick at.

"La Isla Bonita," however ...

[Matthew Rettenmund]

I actually loathed "Take A Bow" on that album and was stupefied when I heard it would be a single (I loooove "Secret" to the max always and forever). That it was a single and then became her #1 song of ALL TIME over "Vogue" and "Like A Virgin" still bothers me. I think it bothers her, too—she hasn't performed it since and frankly nobody has asked for it.

[Matthew Rettenmund]

I actually loathed "Take A Bow" on that album and was stupefied when I heard it would be a single (I loooove "Secret" to the max always and forever). That it was a single and then became her #1 song of ALL TIME over "Vogue" and "Like A Virgin" still bothers me. I think it bothers her, too—she hasn't performed it since and frankly nobody has asked for it.

[HepherZephyr]

I´m so relieved that Licorice isn´t the new title but then "Give it to me" just doesn´t grab me either. :( Wouldn´t surprise me if she calls it "Hot Tamales" or Like a Tamales (her one time fave treat remember?)!! :D :D

This afternoon I caught a 30 sec. snippet of Candy shop on you tube. All I can say it was a vastly different and a much improved listening experience. I could barely make out the vocals but the music was more electronic. It was very rough and it sounded like someone had taped it in a disco or in some kind of room due to the echo. I had some doubts if it was kosher or another fake. But now it has been pulled by the powers of WB so I am guessing that it could be the real deal. If so our worries will be put to shame. I take to the orginal demo of CS but that snippet has changed my feelings completely.

I didn´t like the cover of AL either. There were so many great shots from those shoots that she could have used instead. She looked ravishing in all those snaps. I love her as a brunette.

What put me off was the use of the Che imagery which kind of offended me and I found it rather uninspired. I really liked Hollywood, Mother & Father and Nothing fails. I hope she performs Hollywood on her next tour. http://madonnalicious.com/images/2003/totp_ns1.jpg
(Is it me or was Madonna a bit more chunky in early 2003. It suited her. I remember her revealing that she hasd had Crispy Creme issues around that time lol.)

The Bedtime Stories album (another frightful cover)is definately not one of my favourite albums. It is very listenable but I just felt that there was this feeling of desperation about that project. I really loved the DWT version of Secret. And yeah it is telling that Madonna has never performed Take A Bow other than at the American Music Awards. But the video paved the way for Evita. I´ll remember of 94 is completely over looked which is such a pitty.
http://madonnalicious.com/images/1994/wayne_maser_ns2.jpg
Loved that session!

[Matthew Rettenmund]

I liked her first four covers (not counting WTG soundtrack = puke) so much, then it's like she lost it. I'm B is a terrible picture, so unflattering and an "off" moment. Bedtime Stories is...eh...okay. Ray Of Light is good, but I preferred the wild-haired/tongue-out look used as the single cover (I think?). Music works really well. Confessions Is strong. But nothing's been a big wow to me since Like A Prayer (since it was risky) and no iconic covers since True Blue over 20 years ago.

[will]

I hate the candy shop song it is crap i hope she give up it.