Diva smackdown: Madonna vs. Mariah

Reaction to the new albums

While reviews for Mariah Carey’s new album “E=MC2” have been largely favorable, advance word on Madonna’s “Hard Candy” has been…largely favorable. Rolling Stone gives “Hard Candy” four stars to “E=MC2”’s three, but writes that Madge “lets top-shelf producers make her their plaything.” And Entertainment Weekly gave “Hard Candy” a stingy B+ rating, but calls it a “surprisingly rejuvenated set,” while also noting that Mariah’s latest—an A- in their book—proves that “her comeback was no fluke.”

Advantage: Neither. We’re calling this one a tie.