MADONNA MUSIC (MAVERICK/WARNER BROS., 2000)

Madonnas first album released this century is likely her last great endeavor. After spending the previous decade selling sex and spiritual enlightenment to mixed results, the only thing shes peddling here is great tunes 10 of em lined up neatly in a row. The methodology is a familiar one for her. The softer, introspective side of Euro-rave meets dime store American dance hall. In short, its high art masquerading as disposable pop masquerading as high art masquerading as ... Producers Mirwais and William Orbit largely succeed in helping her play up the musical duality. Club-friendly anthems are given a worldly touch thanks to Arabic motifs, and symphonic flourishes gussy up a country-pop ditty so enthralling it makes Shania Twain sound like Maybelle Carter. No matter the mood or tempo, Madonna masters the material like the supreme shapeshifter she is. You always believe whatever act shes playing: whether its music for musics sake, relishing the joys of new romance or vowing to never sell out. Theres always a theatrical element with her, but here its one hell of a show. Thats not to say she doesnt mean what she says. The most enjoyable track drives home a universal ethos that nicely sums up her career: Dont tell me what to do. Yes, maam. GRADE: A

Key Tracks: Dont Tell Me / Music / What It Feels Like For A Girl

UPSTAGED

Madonna performed the Super Bowl XLVI halftime show at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis (New York Giants 21, New England Patriots 17). The set featured cameos from Nicki Minaj, LMFAO and Cee-Lo Green. But it was rapper M.I.A. who stole the show after giving the camera the middle finger. The NFL sought over $16 million in various fines, with both parties reaching a confidential settlement in 2014.

LADY GAGA THE FAME MONSTER (INTERSCOPE, 2009)

The purveyors of pop ditched her hyper-glam pretentions as soon as her infamous meat dress began attracting flies. Things have returned to normal, for now. A quick glance at the charts provides not one act whose offstage persona matches their musical smarts. Even Gaga has toned it down. What a shame. But it was never Stefani Germanottas cartoonish character that drew me in, rather a bag of unbeatable hooks that remains just as potent and pleasurable nearly a decade later. These eight songs comprise the second disc of her re-released debut and work just dandy on their own. The beats are heavy and mean enough to contain her Broadway sympathies and Gagas artistic vision is as focused as it has ever been. Much like her New York home, the music is a melting pot that borrows plenty from other subgenres, be it Hispanic flamenco, Brit pop or New Orleans swing. The great unifier is a steady thread of synth that brings her neo-noir daydreams to life. The subject matter is simpler but just as compelling boys that drive her crazy. Guilty parties include that bastard Alejandro and her old man. No coincidence the best song comes when she tires of their games and goes out dancing with Beyonc. Talk about one hell of a girls night out. GRADE: A-

Key Tracks: Telephone / Alejandro / Bad Romance

EXTRA SUPER

Lady Gaga will perform Sunday at the Super Bowl halftime show in Houston. Like every other modern act to take the stage, Gaga will be allotted a 12 minute set. This will be Gagas second time performing at the big game, however. She sang the national anthem before last years Super Bowl between the Denver Broncos and the Carolina Panthers.

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SOUND 'ROUND: Queens of the club at the Super Bowl - Monitor