“4 Minutes” really took a long time to grow on me. At first, I thought it was almost unlistenable. But it did grow on me. However, I continued to find Timbaland’s signature style on the piece much too oppressive. And the “Madd-onn-a” refrain was more annoying than funny. I’m hoping the rest of Hard Candy is stronger than “4 Minutes.”

“Candy Shop” – eh, annoying. Signature Timba Pharrel licks. I think this song will be better remixed.

“4 Minutes” – you grew on me!!

“Give It 2 Me” – love it! Hook draws you in instantly. The beat really just flows. Love that 80’s-style Madonna bleat. Can’t wait to hear remixes of this one! Really catches fire at 1:16.

“Heartbeat” – I’m being patient. Can’t help but think this is reminiscent of Paris Hilton’s “Heartbeat” or whatever it was. Pass for now. 2:25 makes me sad. 2:34 restores my hope.

“Miles Away” – this isn’t a Winger cover, is it? Can’t help but feel like Timba is remixing “Power of Goodbye” with this one. I find myself wishing Stewart Price had touched this. Pretty chorus though. Thumbs up. This could be a great club anthem. It gets better as it plays.

“She’s Not Me” – didn’t Hilary or Britney do a song with this title? Kinda funky. I could see this video on roller skates more so than “Sorry”. I don’t know, something weird about Madonna singing about jealousies and teenage relationship dramas. I think 80’s Madonna could have really rocked this one, but now there’s too much Evita in ‘08 Madonna’s voice. Moving on…

“Incredible” – YUCK. Sounds like something Mariah would have done. Something weird happens at 2:30 but it feels forced. She started to channel “Like a Virgin” at 4:00. Then it gets psychedelic. Eh. It’s all really forced.

“Beat Goes On” – like the way it starts but hate the grunts and muttering. Interesting disco vibe. Wish Stewart Price was here! Or Mirwais!

“Dance 2Night” – Is that JT? I guess this is the album’s banger. The word “unabashed” comes to mind. And the lyrics are just rather pandering. Whatever. This will also be remixed really well.

“Spanish Lesson” – “La Isla Bonita” meets “Barracuda” meets that one JT song. Oh no, please no more bad Spanish Madonna. Yuck. Pass. Pass. Pass.

“Devil Wouldn’t Recognize You” – For some reason, Madonna songs since “Ray of Light” have regular pop hooks, but they’re a lot thinner than regular pop. Strange, atmospheric. OK, back to this song. Sounds like something Kelly Clarkson would have done. It’s not a bad song. I like it. “Even the devil wouldn’t recognize you but I do.” I like that lyric.

“Voices” – Hate the intro. Love the beat. I have high expectations :20s in. Not bad. Kind of a Depeche Mode thing going on. (A very loosely interpreted Depeche Mode, that is!) (Yeah, now I know why – “Let’s play Master and Servant” – not so subtle I guess!) Well this song never really seems to get going. Fast forward, and it ends the album on a pretty dramatic note. A note which seems completely out of place on this album.

Overall impressions: I’m sure this will take a few listens to grow on me. It’s nowhere near as good as Confessions, heck it’s not even as good – from a purely bangin’, groovin’ standpoint – as Blackout. Then again, I owe it a few more full listens. I just feel like Timba’s thing is on the downward escalator and I can’t help but feel like a few of these songs are already stale. We’ll see.

For those who have heard the album – what do you think?