Madonna

Bedtime Stories

Madonna's "Bed" is Irresistable

Review Score:

(8/10)
This is one great piece of work. Madonna experimented with R&B and it sounded great. There were a few tracks that, to me, didn't seem to click. The title track "Bedtime Stories" is rather bizzare and out there. I'm not sure if I understand it completely and for me that was one of this release's flaws. The others are a great assortment of materials that seemed to go with the flow for Madonna. "Erotica" had Madonna flirting with the audience over sex and her views on it. After the flirtation, she takes you in, seduces you with these tracks, and closes out what seems to be her "Sex" days. It's rather smart musically.

There were great tracks on here that have over the years come to be known as Madonna's staple hits. "Secret" has one of the most alluring beats and chorus' that I've heard. It's slow grooving with an nice story that you have to admire Madonna for taking on. "Human Nature" is right up there as being one of the best tracks from this CD. It's shocking when you first hear it; she curses and then tells you she's not sorry. Songs like this are worth a listen to. They're not just mindless releases but thoughtful and empowering. "Take a Bow" is a fittinc conclusion to the CD. It sounds different from her other things and the message seemed to allude to the fact that Madonna was moving on in her career, life, and progress. It was a great transition into her future releases.

As for tracks that don't often get much mention, they were surprisingly good. I found them all to be different from her other material. They were less pop and, as she set out to do, sounded more R&B-like which was a genre she fit in well to. "Survival" is a great song- up-tempo, great vocals, a nice rhythm. I think this was single-release worthy and I'm not sure if it ever got that treatment. "Don't Stop" is a good song that's meant for dancing; the only flaw is that it has lines such as "say la-dee-da-dee" but other than that, a good take on a song. To round out the seduction Madonna lays out, "I'd Rather Be Your Lover" is catchy and leads into the more intimate part of the CD. "Inside of Me" and "Forbidden Love" are moodier, more sensual while not being overly vulgar.

This CD could be summed up in many manners. Great, a masterpiece, interesting. Sure. It's all of those things. I also would like to say that it's fun. I look at it as a continuation of "Erotica" and I'm not sure why it doesn't get its deserved acclaim and attention. Regardless, this is a CD that belongs in your collection.

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