Sound Check

Candy wonderland

New pop sounds are sweet and upbeat

Madonna
Hard Candy
Warner

Hard Candy is Madonna�s long-awaited 11th studio album, following on from 2005�s Confessions on a Dance Floor. It�s also her last album for long-term record label Warner.

Over the CD�s 12 tracks, the queen of pop returns with an up-tempo collection of club tracks. Madonna seems to be trying to win back fans who weren�t so impressed with the hyper-polished, future-disco music on her last record.

Hard Candy takes a few steps towards urban funk, with an underlying hip-hop influence. Top-class production has always been one of Madonna�s trademarks, and this time around she worked with Timbaland and the Neptunes� Pharrell Williams.

Hard Candy also features collaborations with superstars Justin Timberlake and Kanye West, so Madonna�s playing things fairly safe here.

Hard Candy is not all bad � it�s upbeat, catchy and danceable � but aside from the fancy production, it sounds flat and lacks any real personality. It sounds like Madonna has given up on innovating or taking any risks.

There are a couple of decent songs on the album, such as �Candy Shop,� �She�s Not Me� and �Miles Away,� but overall, Hard Candy is an overcooked record with too many uninspired ingredients.

Hopefully next time Madonna can come up with something to match her earlier efforts. � TB

Four Mod
Four Mod in Wonderland
RS Music

Girl duo Four Mod always know how to please their fans. They release an album every year, and this year they don�t disappoint with Four Mod in Wonderland. The musical style is still easily recognisable � funny, upbeat dance pop.

The first track, �La Lai (Melt),� has a groovy dance beat and a �70s disco vibe, and has already become a big hit.

�Pen Fan Kan Mai (Will You Be My Boyfriend?)� is an easy-going pop tune with lyrics that teens can relate to.

Four Mod are also known for their trend-setting outfits. Last year their look was sexy and sassy, but this year they seem to prefer sweeter clothes to match their sweet pop sounds.

If you already love Four Mod and have enjoyed their previous albums, Four Mod in Wonderland is sure to please you. � VH

	upbeat (adj): positive, happy and enthusiastic top-class (adj): of the highest quality or standard innovate (v): to introduce new things, ideas, or ways of doing something uninspired (adj): not original or exciting easy-going (adj): relaxed and happy outfit (n): a set of clothes that you wear together, especially for a particular occasion or purpose sassy (adj): fashionable and confident