Which album(s) does Confessions II feel like the sequel to?

[Lobster]

It fascinates me that the original Confessions was American Life repackaged into a dance pop landscape and a similar situation occurs between Confessions II and its predecessor. I'm not saying that Madame X is at the same level as American Life quality wise but I do wonder if she just thought fuck it you didn't get the wider message of my last album, you're gonna need to listen more carefully once I deliver some dancefloor smashes.

 

[funky]

It fascinates me that the original Confessions was American Life repackaged into a dance pop landscape and a similar situation occurs between Confessions II and its predecessor. I'm not saying that Madame X is at the same level as American Life quality wise but I do wonder if she just thought fuck it you didn't get the wider message of my last album, you're gonna need to listen more carefully once I deliver some dancefloor smashes.

This didn’t make sense at all to me when I first read it, but actually, I do think there is some truth to her every now and again thinking, “OK I now need to give them what they want, but I’m not going to half-arse it. I’m still going to make sure I have something to say”

Thing is, I think Madonna does think she always has something to say, and all her albums are, in their own way, confessional. It’s just sometimes she lands it better than others.

 

[Loufoque]

I don't entirely get the whole "COAD was American Life covered in glitter" argument. American Life was sonically the logical conclusion of Music the "folk-tronica" of Music. Sure, a couple of Confessions songs carried similar lyrical themes to American Life - mainly the ones about materialism and spirituality (How High, Isaac) - but that's just stuff Madonna has been talking since Ray of Light.

 

[Jark]

I agree. I really don't think Confessions has any particular message. it was "just" a dancefloor record. it wasn't meant to be introspective like American Life was (as can be evidenced from the fairly basic lyrics across the board).

 

[Shoat]

The idea that COAD lacked introspection and self-reflection

Some of you need to go back and listen, really listen, to I Love New York

 

[GNL]

I don't think Confessions needed to turn in on itself. It's transcendental! It's coming up at the club to disco synths and strobe lights. Sure, there's some spirituality in there but she's hidden her patchouli oil in a poppers bottle.

The difference with Confessions II is that she ends up turning the smoking area of the club into a therapy sesh. It's introspective, and I think it's quite surprising to have her be so frank about her own personal relationships. She's in a different stage of her life now.

I would say the difference from American Life or Madame X, is that she's looking inwards and not really getting overtly political.

 

[Suedehead]

Now
I can tell you
About success about fame
About the rise and fall
Of all the stars in the sky
Let it will be

=

I want the good life
But I don’t want
An easy ride
What I want is to work for it
Feel the blood and sweat in my fingertips

=

Was it all worth it?
And how did I earn it?
Nobody’s perfect
I guess I deserve it

=

No one's telling you how to live your life
But it's a set-up
And I'm just fed up
It's no good when you're misunderstood