Madonna - Ray of Light [1998]
Family matters have always been a good forum for Madonna. After all, 1989’s “Like a Prayer,” dealing with the breakup of her marriage, her mother’s death, and her complicated relationship with her father, shattered the notion that Madonna was an artist best relied on for singles; the deep and expressive set made for a mature album that could be enjoyed from start to finish. Unfortunately, subsequent recordings weren’t as sharp: “Erotica” and “Bedtime Stories” definitely had their moments but just as surely had their share of filler. Luckily for us, “Ray of Light” picks up on the flip side of “Like a Prayer”: this time around, Madonna’s the parent, and the topic of family provides a springboard for musings on love versus fame and what a grown adult considers truly important. Adding to the mix is her collaboration with electronica producer William Orbit, making “Ray of Light” one of the most mature and satisfying albums of dance music you’re likely to ever hear.
And while the opening track gets things off to an unexpected start with a hypnotic slice of slow rock, the lyrics of “Drowned World/Substitute for Love” set the pace of the record: “I traded fame for love/without a second thought…I found myself in crowded rooms/feeling so alone.” Halfway through the song the music backs off and Madonna distances herself from side-effects of fame: “no famous faces, far off places/trinkets I can buy/no handsome stranger, heady danger/drug that I can try.” As the list continues the decibel level grows until both Madonna and her music are at an in-your-face level, clearly declaring that fame may be nice but enough is enough.
Full Album Tracks Listing
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1. Drowned World/Substitute For Love.mp3 [MP3Today.Info]
2. Swim.mp3 [MP3Today.Info]
3. Ray Of Light.mp3 [MP3Today.Info]
4. Candy Perfume Girl.mp3 [MP3Today.Info]
5. Skin.mp3 [MP3Today.Info]
6. Nothing Really Matters.mp3 [MP3Today.Info]
7. Sky Fits Heaven.mp3 [MP3Today.Info]
8. Shanti/Ashtangi.mp3 [MP3Today.Info]
9. Frozen.mp3 [MP3Today.Info]
10. The Power Of Good-Bye.mp3 [MP3Today.Info]
11. To Have And Not To Hold.mp3 [MP3Today.Info]
12. Little Star.mp3 [MP3Today.Info]
13. Mer Girl.mp3 [MP3Today.Info]
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