Madonna

Ray Of Light

Captivating, Alluring And Very Interesting....

Review Score:

(10/10)
Ray Of Light is without doubt Madonna's finest work from her lifetime career. There are only a few tracks which can be compared to any of the work from this album, for instance tracks like ''Paradise (Not For Me)'', ''Love Don't Live Here Anymore'' and ''I Want You''.

I haven't liked a CD of hers this much except for ''Something To Remember'' which I might add is one of the most depressing collections of songs that Madonna has gathered together. The ''Ray Of Light'' CD I purchased is the import CD, but I decided to review this one since the Import did not receive allot of attention (Unfortunately). So before I give you an idea how satisfying this album is, I would like to say that on the import CD there is a bonus track ''Has To Be'' and I cannot come to the conclusion to understand why this track was left out from the original record, it is by far one of the best tracks Madonna ever recorded. I can still understand why ''Revenge'' was not added to the album, because although it has very good lyrics, the rest of the album including ''Has To Be'' clearly outshine it. So therefore you should try and get the Japanese Import CD of ''Ray Of Light''.

I'm going to give you a hint about some of the songs that are included on this album......

Drowned World (Substitute For Love), is a very consequential ballad, which describes not being able to have a personal life without the press hounding you, I think the video of this song was based on Princess Diana, although it was not mentioned as a dedication.

Mer Girl, is the album at its most dramatic point, a track which Madonna dedicated to her lost mother. She delivers the vocals dreamingly and expressively, its the kind of song you will hear playing in a very dramatic film.

Shanti (Ashtangi), is a North African & Arabic influenced track, very up-beat and rhythmic- also tends to have allot of Brazilian subjective beats and sound effects, very mystical sounding I would say, but an out-and-out good track.

Ray Of Light, being the title track; Is a very energetic semi-house track which summons allot of erratic and electronic sound effects, and then of course you have Madonna's vocals which sound very circulate and inspiring. (Note: The Calderone Remix of this song, is totally awesome, try and get the CD-Single).

Nothing Really Matters, has more of a pounding beat thrown in, with very assuring vocals and lyrics.

Frozen, is a exceptionality good track, which sounds undeniably dreamy, sensational and above all- a VERY interesting track if you ask me. The video for this song is my #1 favorite video by Madonna, my #2 favorite is ''Love Profusion'' where she looks absolutely gorgeous with shouldered blonde hair.

Sky Fits Heaven, sounds allot like ''Ray Of Light'', it's definitely energetic and captivating if you're a big fan of Dance, Techno, House. The lyrics and vocals are very choral-sounding and reflective.

(Now here comes the real treat)....

The Power Of Goodbye, is without doubt the best song on this album. It sounds very haunting, emotional, dreamy, and rather a bit sad. The music effects are very compelling, the kind you'd hear on a Massive Attack CD. This is my personal favorite and although it can be viewed as a sad song...It is the most beautiful song I have heard by Madonna. Truly incredible...

The remaining songs on this CD are quite fine tracks but- ''To Have And Not To Hold'' and ''Candy Perfume Girl'' aren't very alluring.

This Album is for anyone who liked Cher's [Believe]. Both [Believe] and [Ray Of Light] won very deserving Grammy's, this one was the winner for best Pop album of the year.

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