Madonna. Love her or hate her, but either way, there's no avoiding her; she's been around for nearly twenty years, released over forty singles, more than ten albums, starred in many a film, and is constantly on the news or in the papers. She's everywhere. Infact, she's so everywhere that there has been a suggested conspiracy that she is a free mason and that she is trying to take over the world, even that her songs, played backwards, read out satanic verses. Well, whatever. That's not really my concern when her Immaculate Collection is my most played CD and makes MY collection immaculate.
Now for the tracks:
1. Holiday 10/10 This is one of my favourites. Its upbeat tune is very simple and basic but that's why it's great- it's such a simple and uplifting track that it makes one forget one's troubles. (ooh dear I sound like the Queen!) It's best, funnily enough, to play just before you go on holiday. It's a very catchy tune, as are most of the tracks on this album, but this has to be the catchilest.
2. Lucky Star 7/10 Some high pitched vocals from the Queen of Pop here. Her voice sounds so shrill compared to how it sounds now. Released in 1987, this is one of the earlier tracks. Nice sythesiser bits- typical of the 1980's- but not one of my favourites as it sounds like she's been inhaling helium just before she recorded this one. Nevertheless, there are some good "starry" twinkly sounds in the chorus.
3.Borderline 8/10 This tune has the most cheesy backing music ever; it sounds like it could be the theme tune to sometacky eighties crappy show like Quincy or something (or was that seventies?) However, this is still a great
track! I know all the words as it's so easy to learn. So simple, like most of these tracks.
4. Like A Virgin 9/10 Well, what can I say? One of Madonna's most famous tracks and typical of her image in the late eighties. My karaoke favourite. I think we all know how this track goes but for those who don't, basically, Madonna had a bit of a reputation for putting it about a bit- if you know what I mean- when she was younger. Well, in this track, she's finally met someone who she wants more than just for sex. Infact, she likes him so much that she feels "shiny and new" like she's being "touched for the very first time". You get the idea. Again, extremely catchy. Can also be a tad annoying, but top tune!
5.Material Girl 10/10 Madonna sings about Materialism (suprisingly enough)which was another thing for which she was famous in the 80's. This is a very light-hearted track, which got to number one in the singles charts when it came out. This is quite different from her usual high-pitched, squeaky tunes; it is sung in a lower key and there are also some blokes singing in the background. This was more of a joke track; it was one which wasn't to be taken seriously, but it helped to further Madonna's eccentric image and is more of a performance than a serious tune.
6. Crazy for You 6/10 A slow love song which is quite a rarity from Madonna in this day and age and is one of only two more toned down songs on the album. Some might say that this track sounds really soppy- and it does, but it's a classic and sounds typical of the eighties. It is a bit boring the first couple of times you hear it, but it's one of those tracks that grows on you ...
7. Into the Groove 10/10 A groovy tune (literally!) and the theme tune for one of my favourite films, Desperately Seeking Susan, which, suprise suprise, stars Madonna as the lead role. The film is based around show girls and dancing so this tune was written to suit it, and it is rather obviously, about dancing and getting into the groove (sorry for the amount of stating the obvious I seem to be doing but there really isn't that much to say about her songs apart from the obvious- they don't exactly have much depth- what you hear is what you get.
8.Live To Tell 7/10 A mellow, low key song for which Mads uses her deeper voice. You have to be patient with this song as it takes time to climax and evolve, but once it does, it is quite powerful and the lyrics have more depth than usual as she is talking about having this massive secret... makes you wonder what exactly it is that is the big secret that she may not live to tell...? Is it that she's been a free mason all along and that she is "the chosen one" who will take over the world unless someone assassinates her first?
9.Papa Don't Preach 10/10 Madonna's got herself up the duff by the town's bad boy and needs advice from her daddy, but she's scared to tell him because he warned her all about him and that he was bad news. Her friends keep telling her to give it up, they say she's too young, she oughtta live it up. But she's made up her mind- she's keeping her baby. Good on her! And also good on her for making this track; it's very original and it even has violin players in the intro!
10. Open Your Heart 7/10 She has quite a gruff voice in this oneand actually sounds quite scary; it sounds like she is stalking some guy, "I follow you around but you can't see", "don't try to run I can keep up with you". Phew, I wouldn't like to bump into her down a dark alley...
11. La Isla Bonita 10/10 I love this! One can judge by the title that this is a Spanish themed song. It's about a place called San Pedro and some guy she met and had a holiday romance with. It's a beautiful sexy tune with romantic lyrics, and really gets you daydreaming. You almost feel sorry for poor Mads, hopelessly pining for her Spanish love. Lovely Spanish sounding backing music and Spanish musical instruments (I forget what they are called). It makes you picture a beautiful Spanish coastline in the moonlight and the listening to the light sea breeze and the sound of the waves. Arhh! I've got to stop daydreaming about being on holiday again!
12. Like A Prayer 9/10 Choir like backing singers, sounding like angels. Church organ music in the intro. Then the song bursts into a vibrant and powerful tune sung all about Heaven and angels and all things nice. This is the longest tune on the album, lasting approximately six minutes. Heavenly tune.
13. Express Yourself 9/10 This is all about not wanting money and materialistic things from a lover, but just wanting love. Maybe this is a bit hypocritical after Material Girl, but who cares? Again, this is one of those tracks that grows on you rather than liking it straight away.
13. Cherish 10/10 This is a very sweet and uplifting tracks which will make even the most miserable of people feel happy; it's like a ray of light when you are feelling down in the dumps. Although she does sound about ten years old when singing this, but it sort of adds to the cute appeal of it. Upbeat and lively, real feelgood tune.
15. Vogue 6/10 A glamorous song with a spoken verse by Madonna in the bridge where she talks about all of her idols such as Grace Kelly and Marilyn Monroe. This song is like a tribute to all of her role models for helping her get her image. Not really much else to say about his except that it has the longest intro, but don't let that put you off- keep listening- it gets better.
16. Justify My Love 1/10 A "bonus" track. More like a booby track. I thought this may be one which might grow on me, but unfortunately, no matter how many times I Play it, it is still boring. There's hardly any tune to it, not many words, no surprise that it wasn't released. I don't know why it is on the album.
C'est tout. Buy it and enjoy. Or buy it and be driven insane. But buy it anyway to make your record collection Immaculate like mine.
How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
This is the perfect way to hear Madonna: no album filler, just one hit after another. As a ... more
singles artist, she works wonders: quick, danceable tunes that are occasionally "controversial" but never set out to change the world (and don't).The Immaculate ...
Postage & Packaging: £1.21 Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
Advantages: A feel good album with some classic 80s Madonna tracks, brings back lots of memories Disadvantages: Doesn't cover her whole career to date, a few weak songs
Aug 11th, 2002
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