Ray of Light

Ray of Light.
I don't remember where I got this CD exactly, but I know it's one of my most favorite albums from Madonna. My most favorite tracks from this album are Frozen, Ray of Light, Skin, Shanti/Ashanti, Power of Goodbye, and Drowned World/Substitute for Love. I recommend you buy this. Her voice and the lyrics on this album are so powerful, Drowned World/Substitute For Love. Another thing that I want to share on why I love this album is the music video for Frozen. The desert, the floating Madonna, all of it. Heck it's got me curious on Mysticism. (I think that's what you call it.) I am interested in checking it out, see what it's like. I'm also curious in Kabbalah too.

Madonna ... RAY OF LIGHT (1998)
In 1998, Madonna released her eleventh album entitled, RAY OF LIGHT. This amazing albumshows us a new Madonna, a Madonna that we've never seen before: A late '90s spirtual Madonna, with the sound of spiritual dance & techno. Madonna has worked with many great producers in the past, but for this album, she wanted the spiritual sound of the '90s, she recruited William Orbit to produce this album. DROWNED WORLD / SUBSTITUTE FOR LOVE The album's third single, though, not released in the U.S. This amazing song describes how Madonna has felt about her fame, since the birth of her daughter, Lourdes. What an amazing song. SWIM Great song. RAY OF LIGHT The album's second single. One of the best and energetic songs in Madonna's career. I can listen to this song all day, if I had to. CANDY PERFUME GIRL This song is just absolutely brilliant. I love the fusion of techno and rock on any song. SKIN Love it. NOTHING REALLY MATTERS The album's fifth & final single. Love this song. The sound and Madonna's vocals are just pure amazement. SKY FITS HEAVEN Great song. SHANTI / ASHTANGI An amazing song, actually. This song is sun entirely in Sanskrit. FROZEN The album's first single. This is one of the best songs on the album, not to mention one of my all-time favorites. The music video is definitely one of Madonna's greatest. Seeing Madonna taking up a Gothic look for the music video put a huge smile on my face. THE POWER OF GOOD-BYE The album's fourth single. Another awesome song. TO HAVE AND NOT TO HOLD Great song. LITTLE STAR This beautiful song is about Madonna's daughter, Lourdes. MER GIRL What an amazing song, although, it is rather creepy. This album is a masterpiece and only Madonna could have done an album, like this. All Madonna fans should already have this album in their collection. I know I have it in my collection.

One Hour : From the Thunder to the Rain
"Ray of Light" may not be the greatest album ever recorded, but it is by far the most accomplished album released by Madonna Ciccone. If anything remains her musical legacy, all of it is found on this album - her controversial takes on all modern issues aside, its also rather spiritual - and not really in a hokey way. "Ray of Light" was a landmark moment for music in the 1990s, and for many people this remains a touchstone of all things pristine in that era - listening to it now, it sounds fresh and vibrant, almost transcendent, and you could tell that they were on to something. Highlights are many - primarily the lead track entitled "Drowned World/Substitute for Love", which begins as a subdued anthem to lost love and instead winds up a lament on fame and the perils and foolishness of fortune. Absolutely stunning. William Orbits' legendary production on this record is perhaps what made it win those Grammys (Orbit employed similar techniques on the underrated "Saints and Sinners" album by All Saints), but this remains his most fully realized work by a long shot. Lead single "Ray of Light" is iconic, but the true gems are those that have received little or no public acclaim. "Shanti/Ashtangi", for instance, is a quaint Sanskrit track, which works as a prequel of sorts to Madonnas' 2000 track "Cyberraga" (a rare B-side to her "Music" single). While diction isn't the key here, its interesting to see Madonna venture into Bjork territory, using some dark production, at times reminiscent of Trent Reznor and some of the Nine Inch Nails catalog. That said, this is a deep, rich record, overflowing with texture and moods, almost trance-like in its' flow. "Sky Fits Heaven", an epic anthem on traveling down ones own path with an eye on the road in front of you, is an unlikely candidate for best track of the album, but it competes closely with "Frozen", the almost gnostic hymn that was this albums' first single. Understandably, Madonna both won and alienated many people with this fantastic album - only because all these tracks function on a different plane altogether. It would be demeaning to call this 'pop music', though it is indeed from a popular artist. The mixture of genres and the insistence on not going an easy route is evident, and even on songs such as "Swim", and the seemingly silly "Candy Perfume Girl", the production and songwriting is stellar. Of course, the album art perfectly reflects the music - this is shimmering, tranquil territory where everything seems precious and luscious, and "Ray of Light" is a fine slice of true electronica done right. Even with the gratuitous ode to her daughter on "Little Star", the end of the album (especially the hypnotic final track) ensure that this remains a bonafide cult classic. Five Stars.

Madonna's Ray of Light!
Madonna has been around for almost three decades which is hard to believe. I remember when she first came on the music scene with Borderline and the rest is musical history. With the recent and sudden passing of Michael Jackson, Madonna even paid homage during one of her concerts to his memory which I thought it was touching. Madonna's Ray of Light is above average but not excellent but she keeps trying and recording. Her songs here are fine but not groundbreaking anymore. She has broken a lot ground during her career and there is not much left. As a mother and wife, Madonna has matured and so has her musical inclinations. She is a solid performer and can dance as well as sing a tune. The collection of songs here are mixed and no two are really alike.

Keeping it all together.
One of her greatest works! I'm only 17 and back in '98 was when I was fully exposed to Madonna. I remember watching MTV (when they actually cared about videos) being so intrigued by this woman dancing inasanely, but so happily! A few weeks ago I purchased the album @ a Borders sale and boy was I happy. Every song including the title track had me shakin in my boots LOL. My 3 fav songs: Swim-Excellent song, IMO a true 90's classic. Nothing Really Matters-So beautiful! The lyrics really speak to the heart. Sky Fits Heaven-Superb! Any open minded person connected to their fsmily & surroundings will love this song!