Hard Candy
by Madonna
User Score
7.3

Generally favorable reviews- based on 562 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 398 out of 562
  2. Mixed: 89 out of 562
  3. Negative: 75 out of 562

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  1. DaveR.
    Apr 30, 2008
    10
    wow Hard candy is just the best madonna album ever!!!!!
  2. JosiM
    Apr 30, 2008
    10
    Though same tracks are pretty weak, there are a lot of gems here. They jsn't need some time to shine. It's not an album you'll love on the first listen. I wouldn't even call it a grower. You just need to feel the music, 'cause above all this is a straightforward dance album...
  3. GabrielC.
    May 2, 2008
    10
    Excellent!
  4. JoshP
    Jan 3, 2009
    10
    Hard candy is a rare gem that is full of life and perfection and excellently produced by Timberlake, Timbaland, Pharrell, kanye and The Neptunes. Madonna is at the top of her game with this album and it is one of her better efforts,the noughties are the new eighties for Madonna. tracks-4 Minutes,Give it 2 Me,Miles Away,She's Not Me,Beat Goes On,Dance 2night,Spanish lesson,and Devil Hard candy is a rare gem that is full of life and perfection and excellently produced by Timberlake, Timbaland, Pharrell, kanye and The Neptunes. Madonna is at the top of her game with this album and it is one of her better efforts,the noughties are the new eighties for Madonna. tracks-4 Minutes,Give it 2 Me,Miles Away,She's Not Me,Beat Goes On,Dance 2night,Spanish lesson,and Devil are exceptional songs.… Expand
  5. Smarts
    Apr 30, 2008
    10
    Best pop album so far this year.
  6. [Anonymous]
    Apr 30, 2008
    10
    Fantastic.
  7. PhilipG.
    Apr 30, 2008
    10
    Excellent! I'm so relieved.
  8. mugul16
    Apr 30, 2008
    10
    I love it....!!!! Madonna have done a great job again!!!
  9. KevinS
    Apr 30, 2008
    10
    Don't listen to anyone that says this is not a good album. This is one of Madonna's BEST albums. The majority of the tracks are just awesome, and this album deserves to be listened to with the volume up and the bass pumping! A real crowd pleaser of an album. Fun, exciting, and very danceable.
  10. EAB
    Apr 30, 2008
    10
    She hasn't had this fun on an album since Like A Prayer and hasn't gotten as artistic as Ray Of Light.
  11. PeterJ.
    Apr 30, 2008
    10
    What can you say to describe this, this is gobsmackingly brilliant, didn't think it would go right but it's a Madonna record at heart! Madonna never lets you down, with every album being a stunner! Love Madonna, she's right up there as one of the best artists of all time, you'll never regret loving Madonna!!!
  12. WilliamG.
    May 2, 2008
    10
    Great new sound. Perfect follow up to last CD.
  13. AndreaM
    May 2, 2008
    10
    Awesome album, every song on it is excellent and I just can't stop listening to it!
  14. Bardo
    May 4, 2008
    10
    hard candy is her best album of a decade.
  15. DanielC.
    May 9, 2008
    10
    Great album...!!!
  16. BrettR
    Apr 27, 2008
    10
    Amazing! My favorites are Heartbeat, Give It 2 Me, and Devil Wouldn't Recognize You. I haven't stopped playing it for 3 days. I am thrilled and think it's the best dance album in years.
  17. ChrisR.
    Apr 29, 2008
    10
    Amazing album!!! One of her best!!!
  18. sRe78
    Apr 29, 2008
    10
    Her best album in ten years. Catchy, fun and lighthearted.
  19. MarcoC.
    Apr 30, 2008
    10
    Simply put: A masterpiece!!!
  20. SaraZ.
    Apr 30, 2008
    10
    I love hard candy its her best album.
  21. Tom
    Apr 30, 2008
    10
    Great catchy songs
  22. AlexisN.
    Apr 30, 2008
    10
    Amazing album...i love it!
  23. AndrewH
    Apr 30, 2008
    10
    Madonna is simply brilliant. Always. I love her stuff with a message, but this is perhaps her best album since "Ray of Light." (And I love the others, so that means something.) It's not as serious, but it's where she is right now and at the end of the day, it's good stuff. "Give It 2 Me," "She's Not Me," "Beat Goes On," "Dance 2 Night," etc. are among her best dance Madonna is simply brilliant. Always. I love her stuff with a message, but this is perhaps her best album since "Ray of Light." (And I love the others, so that means something.) It's not as serious, but it's where she is right now and at the end of the day, it's good stuff. "Give It 2 Me," "She's Not Me," "Beat Goes On," "Dance 2 Night," etc. are among her best dance songs. "Devil" and "Voices" are beautiful, and "Miles Away" is perhaps the most gorgeous Madonna song ever. The album's full of good stuff; even the weakest track ("Spanish Lesson") is decent.… Expand
  24. LeonardoC.
    Apr 30, 2008
    10
    This is amazing! It's retro and futuristic at once, and even thou she requested the fashion producers, she didn't become a plastic icon as it happens for 8 of 10 artists when they adventure themselves that side... Go, Madge!
  25. MartinC.
    Apr 30, 2008
    10
    One of the most innovative Madonna album
  26. JamieI.
    Apr 30, 2008
    10
    One of her best in my opinion. Love Give it 2 Me, Beat Goes On, Miles Away, Heartbeat.
  27. DanielC.
    Apr 30, 2008
    10
    Great album...!!!
  28. JK
    Apr 30, 2008
    10
    Awesome work. Probably her best.
  29. CavitD
    Apr 30, 2008
    10
    I'm in love with this album, it's one of her best. Funky!
  30. MohamadA.
    Apr 30, 2008
    10
    One of her best ! The perferct follow-up to "Confessions on a dance floor" ! :>
  31. franl.
    Apr 30, 2008
    10
    It¡s fantastic dc, madonna is the queen.
  32. RobertH.
    Apr 30, 2008
    10
    This album is flawless! The production is so layered and constantly surprising. Standout tracks for me are 'She's Not Me', 'Incredible', 'Give It 2 Me', 'Miles Away and 'Devil Wouldn't Recognise You' 10 Out Of 10
  33. JoeS.
    Apr 30, 2008
    10
    FANTASTIC album! One of her most consistent!
  34. GradyP.
    May 13, 2008
    10
    No, it's not the soul-searching journey Ray of Light is, nor is it the amazing space disco odyssey Confessions on a Dance Floor is; however, Hard Candy is a constantly dancable (is that a word?) album that still ranks among her best work, number 5 on my personal list of favorite Madonna albums. It's like she looked back on that girl that was rolling around in a wedding dress at No, it's not the soul-searching journey Ray of Light is, nor is it the amazing space disco odyssey Confessions on a Dance Floor is; however, Hard Candy is a constantly dancable (is that a word?) album that still ranks among her best work, number 5 on my personal list of favorite Madonna albums. It's like she looked back on that girl that was rolling around in a wedding dress at the MTV awards, going back in time, kicking her ass, then drinking her blood while recording the new album. Madonna is just THAT badass. Definitely worth a listen.… Expand
  35. DenysL.
    May 1, 2008
    10
    Madonna successfully integrates the musical styles of her new producers without losing her own sound. "Miles Away, " with its heartbreaking lament, "So far away" is classic Madonna. The song should be her 3rd release after "Give It To Me." Her promotional concert at the Roseland Ballroom confirms the fact that she is simply unrivaled!
  36. yori
    May 3, 2008
    10
    For me the album is a perfect hybrid of all the Madonna personas and sounds we've heard over the years but with an up to date vibe....there's RnB,Disco,Electonica,Retro etc etc...there's Bitchy,Fun,Lonely and Self-Reflective....from her vocals to the sound and vibe....a perfect goodbye record to Warner and 25 years Yeap,she's not steps ahead but she has been so many For me the album is a perfect hybrid of all the Madonna personas and sounds we've heard over the years but with an up to date vibe....there's RnB,Disco,Electonica,Retro etc etc...there's Bitchy,Fun,Lonely and Self-Reflective....from her vocals to the sound and vibe....a perfect goodbye record to Warner and 25 years Yeap,she's not steps ahead but she has been so many times AND after the block she received from american radio who can blame her for wanting to go mainstream and lighter this time....T-H-I-S is the dance record she set out to make a couple of years ago... The people she worked with this time are as familiar in the music world as her,so people seem to have a hard time accepting their presence or influence.But the record still screams Madonna. i can live without one or two songs but the rest... gems :) Everything she does gets reactions from both extremes but rarely gets apathy,which is always preferable in life....lol. ....which is also another reason to love her! Stop complaining,play the album,dance and enjoy your summer soundtrack!… Expand
  37. KIR
    May 6, 2008
    10
    Old-school, funky, as fresh as her first album... just great!!!
  38. DejanS.
    Aug 20, 2008
    10
    So far... Her best work! She's in pop again!
  39. SantixRdeCh
    Jun 11, 2010
    10
    Great album. i didn't like 4 minutes at first, but i was only a matter of time so I could like it. My favs: Spanish Lesson, She's not me, Heartbeat, Give it to me, Candy Shop, Beat goes on.
  40. AnnAnne'
    Nov 21, 2008
    10
    This album sure is hot!Best songs are Devil wouldn't recognize you,miles away,voices and beat goes on!
  41. RyanK.
    Apr 27, 2008
    10
    I was a little worried about whether I would like Hard Candy after the first single, 4 Minutes, was released. Now that I've heard the whole album, I would say that 4 Minutes is possibly the weakest track, and not really indicative of the album as a whole. Hard Candy is being hyped as a kind of R/B/Hip-Hop album, but it's not hip-hop at all. In fact, I would say that this album I was a little worried about whether I would like Hard Candy after the first single, 4 Minutes, was released. Now that I've heard the whole album, I would say that 4 Minutes is possibly the weakest track, and not really indicative of the album as a whole. Hard Candy is being hyped as a kind of R/B/Hip-Hop album, but it's not hip-hop at all. In fact, I would say that this album is what Confessions on Dancefloor was supposed to be: a return to Madonna's 80's club roots. This album actually has more of a retro/disco vibe than Confessions. Stand-out tracks: Heartbeat, Miles Away, Incredible Low points: 4 Minutes, Pharell's singing, and Kanye's lame rap on Beat Goes On… Expand
  42. JonathanD.
    Apr 28, 2008
    10
    This score is not accurate; the New York Daily News gave it 5 out of 5 stars, and People Magazine gave it 4 out of 4 stars...there are countless other amazing reviews, but this site picks and chooses which ones they're going to use.
  43. chinap.
    Apr 29, 2008
    10
    Yes, metacritic forgot to post the great reviews from: Salon.com, About.com, Sputnikmusic, Attitude, the LA times, and the New York Times.... Hmmm....
  44. IvanC.
    Apr 29, 2008
    10
    Absolutely brilliant album! She did it again.
  45. MaryannW.
    Apr 30, 2008
    10
    love it!
  46. MarkW.
    Apr 30, 2008
    10
    this album is off the hook! it's madonna being just down right fun again! i love it!
  47. CarlosA.
    Apr 30, 2008
    10
    It's a very cool just dance and enjoy album, no pretentious kaballah stuff, etc.
  48. JamesM.
    Apr 30, 2008
    10
    Hard Candy is an awesome, eclectic edition of R and B pop fusion. Several of the tracks are irresistible and make you want to dance. Give it To Me alone is worth the album purchase. For Madonna fans everywhere and for those who loved Confessions on a Dance Floor.
  49. MiloszP.
    Apr 30, 2008
    10
    Brilliant!
  50. LouisP.
    May 2, 2008
    10
    An amazing album with only a few flaws. Spanish Lesson is trite and Candy Shop should have been MIA because it doesn't it isn't as fresh as the rest of the album; some of us have had the track since last summer. LOVE Give It 2 Me and Dance 2night.
  51. AngeloB.
    May 2, 2008
    10
    I love it.
  52. T.
    May 4, 2008
    10
    Very smart album, lot of hits, US-oriented, hope it will work there.
  53. robertb.
    May 4, 2008
    10
    I'm a fan, but i tend to be critic of Madonna. In this album she manages to balance it all, catching up with today's music, being more mainstreem, and still be herself and delivering to her hardcore fans. The greatest thing is she's having fun and being the feisty Madonna we lost track of for many years!
  54. PetrS.
    May 5, 2008
    10
    absolutely amazing album. It's better than Confessions, American Life, Music!
  55. AnthonyF.
    Jun 17, 2008
    10
    I have been a fan of Madonna for her entire career. As a teen in the 80s she was the soundtrack to my life. I think this album is great with one exception. Spanish Lesson. If it is a lesson shouldn't you be telling me the actual meanings of the words instead of kinda what you think they mean.
  56. RonaldF.
    Jul 2, 2008
    10
    Madonna doesn't disappoint she still has the touch despite 25 years in the industry.
  57. SeanF
    Dec 5, 2008
    10
    Fantastic considering the worst song on the album was a number 1 Hit!
  58. DamahS.
    Apr 24, 2008
    10
    Madonna is finally back to form, no spirituality or political nonsense. It's been awhile since I heard an album with hardly any fillers and filled with highly produced and well written music that flows very well together, starting off sexy and flamboyant and then ending on a much darker and intellectual note - something very few artists are capable of pulling off. A very enjoyable Madonna is finally back to form, no spirituality or political nonsense. It's been awhile since I heard an album with hardly any fillers and filled with highly produced and well written music that flows very well together, starting off sexy and flamboyant and then ending on a much darker and intellectual note - something very few artists are capable of pulling off. A very enjoyable listen and certainly won't leave my play list for at least a couple of months.… Expand
  59. AbelardoJ.
    Apr 29, 2008
    10
    Amazing. Full of funky beats and melodic rythms. Miles awa being the best.
  60. AndyM.
    Apr 29, 2008
    10
    This is a solid album and defintely one of Madonna's better ones. Songs like Give It To Me, Dance 2Nite, and Voices are probably some of Madonna's best songs since the Music album. I noticed that a lot of the critical reaction is mainly against her current choice of mainstream collaborators (Timbaland, P. Wlliams, Timberlake) which is rather unfair, if this was produced by an This is a solid album and defintely one of Madonna's better ones. Songs like Give It To Me, Dance 2Nite, and Voices are probably some of Madonna's best songs since the Music album. I noticed that a lot of the critical reaction is mainly against her current choice of mainstream collaborators (Timbaland, P. Wlliams, Timberlake) which is rather unfair, if this was produced by an unheard producer it would be considered nothing short of genius.… Expand
  61. johnk.
    Apr 29, 2008
    10
    Yes. Metacritic isn't being fair. This site has ignored almost all of Hard Candy's good reviews!
  62. JoseB.
    May 23, 2008
    10
    METACRITIC your not including best reviews like the New your times or Los Angeles times there are also good reviews on People and US magazine it will improve the average of the album, you are only adding the bad reviews, don´t know why.
  63. Visser
    Nov 11, 2013
    10
    I just love this album. I know that lot of Madonna fans hate it, and I don't know why. It's really good, especially songs that Madonna wrote with Pharrell (Heartbeat, SNM, Incredible).
    I can listen to this all the time.
  64. tintin_tintine
    Oct 3, 2017
    10
    This is the best album for running. Period. Thanks to this album I've managed to finish my first marathon and Olympic triathlon last year. Strongly recommend for athletes and fitness music lovers!
  65. JacqueM
    Nov 25, 2021
    10
    Smash hits 4 minutes and 4 million copies sold Hard Candy, I am still waiting for the reissue of Vinyl.
  66. jcalves93
    May 23, 2020
    10
    Para um álbum que em 2008 foi acusado de soar clichê e mais do mesmo, Hard Candy envelheceu muito bem. Soa interessante e fresco mesmo depois de 12 anos. Um prato cheio para os fãs e para o público jovem que está conhecendo o trabalho da Madonna agora.
  67. Rodsmerchan
    Sep 15, 2020
    10
    It’s the most underrated albums of Madonna’s Career. A piece of art that shines 12 years later
  68. SarkesY.
    Apr 30, 2008
    9
    NO WAY NEAR AS BAD AS SOME ARE MAKING IT, not better than confessions was but i think the pre-buzz is trying to kill it, really fun party/dance album more 80's vibe than anything she's done recently: CANDY SHOP, GIVE IT 2 ME, MILES AWAY, INCREDIBLE amd DEVIL are my FavEs!!!!!!
  69. GillesB.
    Apr 30, 2008
    9
    I really enjoy this record: impressive production, quality song writing and, above all, an amazing Madonna. I had been expecting such quality since Music: no fillers, only potential hits. I was worried the album would sound ordinary, too similar to Nelly Furtado and Gwen Stefany, but the people who say it does have NOT listened to Hard Candy properly: it's a pure Madonna style, with I really enjoy this record: impressive production, quality song writing and, above all, an amazing Madonna. I had been expecting such quality since Music: no fillers, only potential hits. I was worried the album would sound ordinary, too similar to Nelly Furtado and Gwen Stefany, but the people who say it does have NOT listened to Hard Candy properly: it's a pure Madonna style, with a lîtlle (excellent) Timerberlake urban flavour now and then.… Expand
  70. Nickalli
    Jul 17, 2008
    9
    Madonna the Best!
  71. John
    Jul 2, 2009
    9
    Far from perfect, I have yet to find any Madonna album that is, Hard Candy is, however very close. Of course it lacks the huge stand out moments that its predecessor had in Hung Up, Sorry and Jump. But it, as a complete album, holds together well, it flows better than any other Madonna album I can think of. The stand out tracks for me are: She's Not Me, Beat Goes On (Feat. Kanye Far from perfect, I have yet to find any Madonna album that is, Hard Candy is, however very close. Of course it lacks the huge stand out moments that its predecessor had in Hung Up, Sorry and Jump. But it, as a complete album, holds together well, it flows better than any other Madonna album I can think of. The stand out tracks for me are: She's Not Me, Beat Goes On (Feat. Kanye West), Spanish Lesson, Give It 2 Me, Heartbeat and Devil Wouldn't Recognize You. In typical Madonna style, the balladry, is Excellent. In truth the only, and regretably longest, mistake on the album is Incredible, which really shows how weak her voice is if not treated properly. This coupled with the dreadful lyrical content and rather passe beats, it adds up to being the albums only real mistake.… Expand
  72. Val
    Apr 30, 2008
    9
    Every song has something great to offer and you won´t stop dancing...it´s not a producers album. Madonna´s stamp is all over the place.
  73. EH
    Apr 30, 2008
    9
    Amazing album. I think she has the right, after all her years in the record business, to make an album that is just pure fun to listen to, which is what hard candy is all about.
  74. michalis
    May 11, 2008
    9
    A very good disc that brings Madonna up to date but the album's producers don't leave her the space she needs to be Madonna. Quite fun and easy listening but we demand more.
  75. PaulineD
    Nov 25, 2008
    9
    The first Madonna album with all that hip-hop, R&B, and dance music experimenting, this CD will make the perfect party going wild.
  76. BJN.
    Apr 29, 2008
    9
    Hot and Jumpin' new and freshly fun
  77. JoeC
    Apr 29, 2008
    9
    An excellent CD. True the Madonna form and includes some of the best songs of her career. It's a pity that Metacritic has failed to look more broadly for reviews - you will find some give this record 5/5 and 4/4...but bias will always exist when Madonna is reviewed!!
  78. JosephM.
    Apr 30, 2008
    9
    Fantastic album. She sounds absolutely rejuvenated. It's refreshing to hear THIS Madonna again after all these years.
  79. LeonardH.
    May 11, 2008
    9
    A great companion to CONFESSIONS ON A DANCE FLOOR! Don't believe the urban slant--this is just great, classic Madonna wrapped in heavier, modern beats. Almost each track is single worthy on this pop album; Madonna should be very proud to have delivered one of her best albums 25 years into her career!
  80. GiuGiuFrickey
    May 4, 2008
    9
    It's quite good actually. It can't be compare with the other albums but sounds very commercial. The lyrics can be very childish ->see "Spanish lesson" but there are also some good tracks. A 9 for this album, I think it worths a 9.
  81. djv
    May 4, 2008
    9
    It's very catchy, vocally she hasn't sounded this good since Ray of Light. It's not anything new, but it's certainly isn't bad.
  82. Craig
    May 5, 2008
    9
    solid, fun summer album. get off your lazy and cynical arses and enjoy it. probably the most straight-up fun album she's put out since Like A Virgin.
  83. mr
    May 9, 2008
    9
    As one who ignored the panning of American Life (which was so incredibly underrated) and appreciates the chances Madonna takes (much of Erotica is also incredibly underrated), I approached this album with enthusiasm and trepidation. First two listens, I wasn't quite sure. After that, total bliss. Are you freakin' kidding me? This is the sweetest album we've had on constant As one who ignored the panning of American Life (which was so incredibly underrated) and appreciates the chances Madonna takes (much of Erotica is also incredibly underrated), I approached this album with enthusiasm and trepidation. First two listens, I wasn't quite sure. After that, total bliss. Are you freakin' kidding me? This is the sweetest album we've had on constant play in our cars. So many albums are reconsidered in hindsight, and I'm sure this will be one that ends up on future critics' lists as a great fusion of the sounds, musicians and producers of a certain time period mixed with an artistic icon who actually is a major part of the creative process. And those same critics will claim that they loved it at the time. Kudos to everyone involved.… Expand
  84. J
    Jul 14, 2008
    9
    There are some jams on this album.
  85. RobertW
    Jul 20, 2008
    9
    It's a grower.
  86. SergioG.
    Apr 24, 2008
    9
    At least an album with a thought behind the musical and vocal research. Madonna hasn't been singing in so many different styles for a while...Finally, her extension has become more flexible too. All in all, a very sweet candy! P.S. props to Pharrell!!!!
  87. James
    May 26, 2008
    9
    A very solid Madonna album, featuring some of her best songs in recent history including GIVE IT 2 ME, HEARTBEAT, MILES AWAY, INCREDIBLE and DEVIL WON'T RECOGNIZE YOU. Excellent vocal performance as well. Go Madonna!
  88. DarkBates
    Nov 6, 2013
    9
    I love this album. Her voice is sounding amazing! Timbaland and Justin weren't her bests collaborations, but they did a good job with her. "Miles Away" and "Beat Goes On" are the best. And Give It 2 Me is a great song to hear and dance when you're happy!
  89. rodolpho_h
    Aug 6, 2019
    9
    I discovered this album a decade later and I love this record. JT, Tim and Pharrell did their own thing but M somehow managed to put a twist of her pop-oriented instinct with her signature lyricism. This album is pure fun and I love how buoyant this record is. There's this rawness that was lack since her Like A Virgin days and in tracks like Candy Shop and She's Not Me, she sang with soI discovered this album a decade later and I love this record. JT, Tim and Pharrell did their own thing but M somehow managed to put a twist of her pop-oriented instinct with her signature lyricism. This album is pure fun and I love how buoyant this record is. There's this rawness that was lack since her Like A Virgin days and in tracks like Candy Shop and She's Not Me, she sang with so much sass that I didn't hear since Erotica. The frivolous side of her seemed meshed with her serious confessional side better than COADF which I felt didn't match up enough. She and JT should collab more as I felt they connected with each other more as songwriters compare to Nicki Minaj or Quavo. That connection really reflects in this record and I love M pushed Timbaland signature beats further with tracks like Voices where lush orchestra somehow melts with trip-hop beats magnificently. I can relate to this record personally and the downside is that M singing was pushed into more staccato which at times felt vacant.… Expand
  90. Justinscotts
    Nov 16, 2020
    9
    it’s fun. has bops.groovy. but not that the best thing ever. rather listen to the tour version Sticky and Sweet
  91. Max
    Apr 30, 2008
    8
    It's not her best album but it is good!
  92. Anti-K
    Apr 30, 2008
    8
    Well, if musicOMH.com and Karen/Brent says Madonna sucks then that must be true, right? Well, no. Sorry to disappoint but that isn't necessarily the case here. First off, let me state for the record that I can't stand Madonna. Everything about her grates me the wrong way but I do have the conviction and the scruples to give someone their dues when...well, it's due. This is Well, if musicOMH.com and Karen/Brent says Madonna sucks then that must be true, right? Well, no. Sorry to disappoint but that isn't necessarily the case here. First off, let me state for the record that I can't stand Madonna. Everything about her grates me the wrong way but I do have the conviction and the scruples to give someone their dues when...well, it's due. This is a good album because no album that Timberland has been near could ever be rubbish. Except that one had did in the late '90s...when he was still fat. Buy this album so that Madonna can afford that extra black child she's always wanted. … Expand
  93. KennyC
    Jul 1, 2009
    8
    This album is not as good as Confessions; it doesn't have that album's brilliant combination of back-to-basics dance and the emotional core of Ray of Light and Like a Prayer. However, that being said, Hard Candy is still an extremely enjoyable record, filled with thumping modern beats (see the production credits) and catchy choruses. Anyone who claims that the music and This album is not as good as Confessions; it doesn't have that album's brilliant combination of back-to-basics dance and the emotional core of Ray of Light and Like a Prayer. However, that being said, Hard Candy is still an extremely enjoyable record, filled with thumping modern beats (see the production credits) and catchy choruses. Anyone who claims that the music and Madonna's personality have been drowned out by the production just isn't giving the album the chance it deserves.… Expand
  94. EnriqueF.
    May 7, 2008
    8
    It´s a good album, it has excellent tracks, but I think that Madonna could have done something more exciting like Confessións. Anywaysm it has the "MADONNA" seal, and that is guaranteed.
  95. RickyH.
    Apr 29, 2008
    8
    Not her best, but it's a grower so far. I'm on the 3rd listen and some of the tracks are getting infectious. Some are a bit overdone. Dance2night is adorable.
  96. TristanC.
    Apr 30, 2008
    8
    And one more thing... Entertainment Weekly gave this album a B+, how does that factor in as an 83??? The accuracy of this website is definitely questionable.
  97. kirkorkirkella
    Apr 30, 2008
    8
    Metacritic's score seems to be a bit skewed towards the negative - I've read lots of positive reviews from reputable sources that aren't included here. it's not at all surprising that places like pitchforkmedia don't like this - they don't want to alienate their hipster indie-rock audience by acknowledging that something good can occasionally come out of the Metacritic's score seems to be a bit skewed towards the negative - I've read lots of positive reviews from reputable sources that aren't included here. it's not at all surprising that places like pitchforkmedia don't like this - they don't want to alienate their hipster indie-rock audience by acknowledging that something good can occasionally come out of the mainstream. for the rest of us who aren't quite so stuck-up, this album is a big old slab of fun. enjoy it for what it is.… Expand
  98. killerblow
    May 11, 2008
    8
    This is how a pop album should be: no pretensions, no nonsense, with feet-stomping, finger-snapping danceable tunes that would appeal to everyone.
  99. DeeDeeDee
    May 11, 2008
    8
    Hard candy is sweet, tasty but have empty calories. Guilty pleasure. It's fun but complitly dispossible. She could have it so much better.
  100. ChsM
    May 4, 2008
    8
    Sure it's safe, by Madonna's standard. But like the album "Music," this is a fun record but with lots more potential hits: Beat Goes On, Miles Away, Heartbeat. Pharell's tracks are, surprisingly to me, much better than the Timbaland/Timberlake collaborations.
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Awards & Rankings

5
#5 Most Discussed Album of 2008
31
#31 Most Shared Album of 2008

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
65

Generally favorable reviews - based on 24 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 10 out of 24
  2. Mixed: 14 out of 24
  3. Negative: 0 out of 24
  1. Blender
    80
    It's fun to hear here negotiate the contours of Top 40 pop for the first time since "Like A Prayer," without any European house music hose-head gumming up the pleasure and catharsis with mediative schmaltz. [May 2008, p.73]
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  2. Entertainment Weekly
    83
    Candy finds her dropping her Kabbalah string on the dance floor and readopting an American accent to offer up an unpretentious, nonstop dance party.
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  3. Observer Music Monthly
    80
    Whenever Hard Candy threatens to get boring, something always happens to recapture your interest, but the three songs in which Madonna actually seems to forge a genuine connection with her musical helpmeet leave the rest of the album in the shade.
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