Candy is dandy, but lick 'er, it's quicker!
People has revealed the Hard Candy cover. Hmmm. I don't love it instantly, but it looks pretty good. I liked the boxing cover of Interview better because it was instantly readable as, "I'm a fighter!" and/or, "I'll kick your ass!" This image is harder to digest right away—the odd wrapping of her hand alongside her open mouth makes it look like she's strangling herself or something.
The font is bound to be controversial because it's completely uncreative. I do like that it goes with the kiddie/candy theme, and I like that it is crystal-clear that this is Madonna's new record Hard Candy. I love the outfit (those straps again, like from her 2007 Oscar gown), and I love the embracing of the fannish notion of "Madonna's the champ" or "the queen," which is something she's gone along with more and more as she's gotten older.
And the candy backdrop creates a vaginal impression, all the stronger thanks to the spread legs.
This is going to pop on the shelves. It looks like the cheeky, sexxxy Madonna is back. So when do the divorce proceedings begin?
Miss Kitty lives!
I'm not wowed by this photo shoot. Honestly I expect more from Steven Klein. He's got a great subject in Miss M. Her hair in the robe photo reminds me of Miss Mona (Best Little W....house in Texas). The whole image seems like a teaser for lesbian skin flick, "Boxing Girls of Cellblock C". I'm not feeling it.
I'm hoping someone will soon tell me that this is a jab at WB. Who knows though, I might be impressed in the end. Everything so far just isn't wowing me. I've come to expect so much more from Madonna over the years.
Posted by: Trub | March 14, 2008 at 02:00 PM
I'm not liking this cover at all but I'd like to think she knows what she's doing.
It's funny that you mention the divorce thing. When I saw traces of the old-school Madonna surface again at the Hall of Fame induction, I realized ever since she got married that Madonna (which is probly the Madonna we came to fall in love with) has been long absent. And I feel her work has suffered for it, too. I'm not saying I want her to divorce again, more like I want some of that old feistiness and brattiness of hers to come back.
Posted by: Tomi Luka | March 14, 2008 at 02:24 PM
I do like the cover, but it could do well without the background and with a better font. A plain white background, that amazing photo and a better lettering would be amazing. Graphic design is my job and I can tell you I don't think Giovianni Bianco is a great designer ("Jump" single artwork anyone?). Even the confessions thing wasn't all that, but at least it was singular. This one I'm not sure... bad lettering and it seems like there's no consistent link between the album and single covers.
That said, I think the photo is amazing!
We'll see how it all develops...
Posted by: jp | March 14, 2008 at 02:49 PM
I love both photo´s (again I see Faye Dunaway without the cheeks).
JP you are so right regarding the background and lettering.
I rather like this photo:
http://www.madonnatribe.com/i_09/klein_publicity_picture_502.jpg
Posted by: hephaestion | March 14, 2008 at 03:35 PM
i like it once again she does what she wants...and its so true about the whole divorce thing..she is bringing the sexy back..
Posted by: walt | March 14, 2008 at 07:09 PM
I think it's funny that people are dissing the font/graphic design aspect of this image (not necessarily here, but elsewhere), saying that it looks thrown together in a few seconds. Everything about this image is deliberate, and I LOVE the goofy font they chose. The look manages to be original, while also being very much 'Madonna.' The background, as you say, pops. Overall, I think this is a HOT cover, I really like it -- I think its actually graphically ahead of the boring fags who are dissing it.
She's the champ, she's spoiling for a fight! I mean, the attitude here seems to be: I KNOW you are gonna bash me for this, but I'll come back at you. Moreover, I don't think it's an accident that her hands are covered up. People are always bitching about how old her hands look.
I'll come out and say it: this is one of her best covers in a while. I really think so.
Posted by: Bears are Fat | March 15, 2008 at 01:08 AM
I'm most concerned with what the album sounds like, but is there ANY CHANCE she will close her legs at some point this year?
Posted by: kenneth | March 15, 2008 at 03:18 AM
I love it. It's perfectly in line with this point in her career, with some of her recent comments about the irony and 'tongue-in-cheek' nature of much of her work. She's channeling one of her inspirations again - Ali - and she looks glam fierce. The clash between her image, the font, and the background are all intentional. Yet most likely not for the reasons we think. "4 Minutes" is growing on me, the hype is starting to work. Seeing her at the Rock Hall actually being herself again has given me hope!
Posted by: Ben | March 15, 2008 at 09:45 AM
I'd stare at Madonna's twat as long as she let me, but I'm sure the legs will close. It's a timed device, like an ancient trap door or a bridge over a moat.
Posted by: Matthew Rettenmund | March 15, 2008 at 10:19 AM
The font reminds me of the Music video ... boogie woogie
Posted by: rob | March 15, 2008 at 10:49 AM
I can't decide if I love it or hate it. On the surface level, it's "Oh look, there's grandma at a costume party." But digging deeper into it I read, "Yeah, I'm 50. So what? Screw You!"
Posted by: daryl d | March 15, 2008 at 03:05 PM
I love the 2nd shot more and more.
She looks pissed and ready for confrontation - I haven´t seen this attitude photographed since that brilliant 94 Interview cover! More of this please Emmy!
If I hear one more interview with her saying: "Well it´s basically about me realising that I am not the owner of my fame but the manager of it" I´ll friggin scream! What´s the other one...oh yes: "Back then I was only in touch with my big fat ego"! Etc etc etc.
I feel terrible for saying this but I do wish she would give Guy Ritchie (half way homophobe) the boot. Never liked the man - my aversion was only reinforced by his petulant behaviour in IGTYAS.
I´ve tolerated him because I thought he made her truely happy. I´m not so sure now.
Along with Ritchie - the entire Kabbalah organisation, every damned Rabbi that has been in control of her since 1997, the house in L.A L.A land & Wiltshire. Then she should get herself back in NYC where she belongs! She is in need of some fresh hunk-a-spunk MILF loving meat. Demi Moore - help her!!
Posted by: hephaestion | March 15, 2008 at 05:06 PM
Hmmm, the interview touchstones I'm sick of are anything to do with a "paradox" or "the end of the day," any day.
Posted by: Matthew Rettenmund | March 15, 2008 at 06:51 PM
Yeah, on Guy...I think we all want her to be happy so go along with him and stuff, but deep (?) down there's the wish that she'd snap out of it and be a single woman again. (I'm more interested in getting her out of Kabbalah, and I would manually stop being interested in her if it were Scientology...shudders.) Well, with Guy, I think her gay male fans can't blame her for falling in love with straight lunks over and over...
Posted by: Matthew Rettenmund | March 15, 2008 at 06:54 PM