The Batlord

Madonna: Ray of Light

Having listened to the coldness of Erotica I need something lighter, so it seems a good time to try the album that seems to be Madonna's most revered.




One song in and I'm already baffled at the difference. Where Erotica was deliciously cold and robotic, this is lush, dreamy, and joyful. I guess it's not entirely surprising since she'd just discovered Kabbalah at this point, but I'll try to ignore Madonna's pretentious goofiness. It should be easy since I'm already sort of in love with this.

And there's the title track. Obviously everyone and their mother has heard this song. Having heard this song before doesn't dilute just much fucking fun it is. This is an expression of pure joy that will put a smile on your face if you have a pulse.

As sunny as the album is, it never forgets to be a dance pop album. The production is hip hop meets disco like one would expect, and it's thoroughly engrossing and toe tapping. Good music for either a rave or night of introspective ceiling gazing.

Oh, good lord. Apparently the song "Shanti Ashtangi" is sung in Sanskrit. Is it physically possible to be any more pretentious? The song is actually pretty awesome, and pretentious or not singing in Sanskrit sounds pretty cool, but it still makes me wanna go find a copy of Eat, Pray, Love and burn in front of a Gitmo detainee.

Nearing the end of the album and I have every intention of listening to it at least one more time. Two albums that have blown me away with both their quality and their individuality. I'm already ready to say that I have found my favorite pop artist. Even if she is a fruitcake.

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