PopMatters 'Joanne' Review - 6/10 [MC Score]

[Bye 3,947]

Just now, Leaf said:

 

 

omg  

THREE (!!!!) Madonna comparisons in 1 review??? Can websites/newspapers/metacritic start firing critics who aren't actually critiquing constructively but would rather bash artists they hate?

[Stef 61,598]

Also to think we've seen some glowing 70-75, even 80+ reviews that actually close the door on Gaga's past and take Joanne as if it was coming from a brand new artist  And at the end of the day, they don't count towards the site that ultimately gives a score representative of critics,.

That's sad af  

[Bye 3,947]

Just now, Stef said:

Also to think we've seen some glowing 70-75 reviews that actually close the door on Gaga's past and take Joanne as if it was coming from a brand new artist  And at the end of the day, they don't count towards the site that ultimately gives a score representative of critics,.

That's sad af  

Time to boycott Metacritic?

[Stef 61,598]

Exlcusive picture of bitter M stans deciding which Madge song Gaga has ripped off this era

 

[Rockets 1,807]

20 minutes ago, Leaf said:

even the self-pleasuring ode “Dancin’ in Circles” continues her fine tradition of ripping off Madonna by copping the melody to “La Isla Bonita” awfully closely,

I'm about to lose my sh*t

[Leaf 2,429]

3 minutes ago, Stef said:

Exlcusive picture of bitter M stans deciding which Madge song Gaga has ripped off this era

 

[Guest]

It's pretty clear that there are a lot of reviewers that are just out to get Gaga. Any Madonna comparison at this point is just a reach to try and bring her down...what a shameful place journalism must be in now.

[Turbogirl 32]

I think we can continue to expect most reviews to be 6/10. Fact is, this isn't Gaga making pop anthems that were pure dynamite when she first blew up. What she did in that era was insane from a pop perspective. Hit after hit, with songs that are popular world wide.

Even Born This Way, we saw a shift where Gaga was focusing more on genres and digging a bit deeper into the song writing. And the album had some of the traditional style singles that were radio friendly and crowd pleasers.

Wont even get into ARTPOP. Except to say, I still think Gaga was trying to dig deeper as a writer (regardless if you don't like the album). And she was shifting away from what made her big to begin with.

Joanne is her most confident work in a long time. It's honest, and exactly what she wanted to make. It's also a very intimate album, that treads more in warmth and genuine introspection - and isn't a spectacle. 

Because this album isn't a spectacle, it's not going to please most mainstream audiences. It won't win the radio. It's Gaga continuing to dig herself into the complete opposite direction of what would have made her more popular.

So why aren't critics praising this more? It's an album that goes for deeper song writing. An album that focuses more on what the artist wants to make. It's got more substance then past records.

Well, I think it's partly because critics don't think she should be doing this. They have a perception of her being a pop act first, and artist second. They feel she's driven herself away from what she once did best. And they probably don't think this is the best fit for her.

But those are just assumptions, based on reviews and things I've seen said. In terms of criticism and opinions, I think the album is kind of a weird mix of genres. It has a couple singles that sound more like stripped down versions of past singles (without the spectacle and flair). And the style and genre is kind of a mix of folk / country / and pop but without entirely committing to one or the other.

The album is cohesive on the whole in terms of the pacing and flow - but is very much a slow burner of a record that treads in warmth and introspection, rather then having big moments to build up to. 

I think the album lacking 3-4 huge moments sprinkled throughout is prob what is hurting this record for some. Because either you buy into the concept style and go along for the ride, or you go with it, but keep waiting for it to build up to something. But it's not that kind of album.

I personally think this is her best album overall. But there is also 2-3 songs I'm not in love with, and I feel the Tracklist kind of suffers with their placement (where it stilts the flow). This is an album that really rewards patience, and opens itself up to you with multiple listens. But that's not exactly an easy sell for most consumers and especially critics that don't exactly feel this is what she should be doing.

I feel the stripped down nature of the album, and it not going for big moments - is why people will see this as a 6/10. And I also think people wanted Gaga to commit a bit more to a certain style and go all in. But what we get with this album, is a very personal collection of songs, that doesn't mind settling in the place that is comfortable for her.

[Pietro 1,068]

Madonna comparisons? Soooo 2011

[AddMeOnMYSPACE 2,005]

I can't at some these big critics being M stans  

that comparison  at least he was generous with a 6/10.

[Hola Soraya 4,355]

42 minutes ago, Stef said:

"even the self-pleasuring ode “Dancin’ in Circles” continues her fine tradition of ripping off Madonna by copping the melody to “La Isla Bonita”"

 

If I see one more insanely reachworthy Madge comparison  

*Rechworthy