Some of the BEST early Madonna (Like A Prayer - Madonna)

Member Name: aebone

Product:	Like A Prayer - Madonna
Date:	27/04/01 (115 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Marvellous album. One of the best of her career, Some truly great songs

Disadvantages: Prince got on it....

This album has to rate as one of the best Madonna has ever produced. Released in 1989, it strikes as one of the more mature earl(ier) albums.

It begins with the amazing 'Like a Prayer', a song which was surrounded by much controversy. It was slammed as blasphemous and lead to problems with her Pepsi sponsorship. However, the song is fabulous, and interestingly a different version to the one you will find on 'The Immaculate Collection'. This version starts with a rock guitar intro before the gospel choir comes in. The choir really adds to the atmosphere of this song. The drums stop and start around the voices in this album version of the song, but it builds it up nicely into the chorus. Splendid stuff.

What could be a better follow up to this than 'Express Yourself', another hit from this record, and another one to feature on the 'Immaculate Collection'. Has a cracking rhythm and is another one to hit the dance floor to.

'Love Song' stars Prince, and I personally think this is the weak link in the album, the song seems to really struggle to get anywhere, and the two voices do not seem to go together very well. It could almost stop at any time, I try and avoid it when I can.

'Till Death do us Part' is about a couple who have fallen out of love. It is really quite a sad song, but the music surrounding it is upbeat, and we are back on track after the small stumbling block of 'Love Song'! The lyrics smack a punch in places, but are not as fantastic as in some of the other songs.

'Promise to Try' makes me feel a little sad every time I hear it. It is a song right from the heart, about Mads mother. It is sung with a touch of emotion, to the backing of a piano and a few strings. Beautiful, and unlike anything heard before this album.

After the sadness of this song is the wonderful 'Cherish', (a song which makes me really happy, and reminds me of
long summer days). The perfect pick me up after our little bout of sadness. It has a good beat and a great guitar solo in the middle. It is also an extended version of the single release and 'Immaculate Collection' versions. It has to be one of my top 10 Madonna songs, and just oozes cheerfulness!!!

'Dear Jessie' is a more mellow song, very dreamy, with images of elephants and all things sweet. She really is taking us on a little rollercoaster ride of songs. I never really took a shine to this song...itwas always a little too dreamy for me, and I didn't like the images of 'pink elephants in lemonade'. But, a lot of people really do like this song.

The outstanding 'Oh father' again shows Madonna's voice with more depth and maturity than before. This track has some lovely strings on it, and flows brilliantly, building up to the crescendo of the chorus, before settling back down into each verse.

'Keep it together' is a reminder that your family should always come first, and is very upbeat. It has a good rhythm and some great slap guitar. Makes you bounce around. more like some of the early stuff.

'Pray for Spanish Eyes' has an understandably Latin feel to it. This is another high point on the album vocally. A nice ballad, which was released as a single in some countries, it begins with a lone acoustic guitar, before a big bass drum thumps in. I like the music on this one nearly as much as the voice. It is not her greatest ballad, but it is certainly not her worst either!!!

Finally, the album closes with the jumble that is 'Act of Contrition', many sounds and voices all into one. It is quite weird, and I personally think its a shame the album closes with it.

This certainly is an album that EVERY Madonna fan should have in their collection. For those just beginning to listen to her music, this is one of the best earl(ier) records. Her voice has been de
scribed as very 'squeaky and girly' before, but this album surely shows the maturity of her voice throughout. As with all Madonna records the production is superb. This lady is somewhat of a perfectionist, and it shows in her work.
This was also another change of direction for her, though those changes we have become used to. Somehow they always manage to create a storm, either of contoversy or praise. this album is now highly praised, and so it should be!

So an excellent album, but I rate it as 4 out of 5, as I have recently been listening to Madonna's back catalogue and reviewing it. The weak links of 'Love Song' and 'Act of Contrition' made me give this 4. It is not quite the perfect album, but certainly very very good and close to that 5 stars. It would be a 5 compared to most albums by other artists, but compared to some of Madonna's other albums (e.g Bedtime Stories) it is not so well rounded, and doesn't flow as well. Of the earl(ier) stuff, this and 'The First Album' are the best. 'Like A Prayer' is in my top 4 Madonna albums for sure.

Go and have a listen, and try not to sing along too loudly!!!

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