Madonna

Ray Of Light

IMHO, madonna's most creative effort

Review Score:

(8/10)
with regards to other comments that equate this album with techno--as someone who does appreciate electronica (faves ranging from PVD to aphex twin), i actually just never really thought of this album as an electronica album. maybe it's because madonna is too iconic a figure to stuff in a cateogry. it's also partly because this album has some standard pop hits geared towards selling the album. ("ray of light," "frozen," "the power of good-bye").

anyways, unlike her other albums which are composed of a hodgepodge assortment of music, this album is fairly consistent in terms of laying out an atmosphere for the listener to revel in. while, yes, madonna is more of a pop princess icon than anything, i think this album really demonstrates her versatility to expand and include other creative and artistic expressions. i don't mind albums that i just pop in to sing along to and dance around to while i'm dressing up to go out (see "immaculate collection"). but i do appreciate other albums that i can lose myself in a daydream, and this album is definitely one of those. that's a quality that's very rare in such a commercialized entertainment industry.

is this album commercial? another gem of the establishment? probably so. i mean, it's madonna. even if she's reactionary, her rebellion becomes absorbed by establishment. but that doesn't mean we should all just reject this album on that basis.

i give this album 4 and 1/2 stars. just because "immaculate collection" does remain my main madonna staple.

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