Madonna truly reigns as the Queen Of Pop to this day (and that really is no overstatement)! For over twenty years in the music business Madonna has never ceased to amaze and surprise with each new release of an album. The Immaculate Collection (1990) is a just mere skimming of some of the masterpiece productions that propelled and catapulted her into world-wide recognition and acclaim with critics. Her shrewd choice of songs remains uncanny!
Holiday, a nifty, distinctley early 1980's, up-tempo Pop classic was infact Madonna's second release, following her debut single, Everybody, which had steered into more club/dance trends of the day (and bombed). Holiday, with its contagious groove is further ignited by Madonna's unique and distinct vocal approach, which has grown stronger and yet more refined over recent years. Holiday became the first in a long line of chart-toppers for the unbeatable, No.1 Pop Diva.
Lucky Star, with it's electronic, synthesised effect is equally of good musical value though was less accomplished than Holiday which didn't meet the commercial success of the previous single, though still stands well today (despite having 1980's
stamped all over it).
Madonna explored her growing artistic integrity on the glowing ballad, Borderline. Borderline conveyed her undoubted wide range of distinctive vocal abilities, proving her voice carried enough emotional load to be able to carry off gorgeous ballads like Borderline with style and finesse. Lovely!
However one of Madonna's ultimate and definitive landmarks of her long and successful recording career is delivered next with the playful, Like A Virgin. Like A Virgin had been written and assembled by R&B master, Nile Rodgers who had also enjoyed chart-topping success with Soul music diva, Diana Ross (Upside Down). Madonnas evocative performance is breathy and seemless and enhances the catchy orchestrations too sensational effect. Unsurprisingly, Like A Virgin quickly zoomed into pole position on both sides of the Atlantic.
Taking an obvious cue from her adoration for 50's movie star, Marilyn Monroe, Madonna next came up with the fun and bouncy, Material Girl which was utterly compelling in its content from it's infectious musical arrangements to Madonnas playful, angelic delivery.
The Immaculate Collection (1990) then highlights one of her early ballads with the beautiful, Crazy For You which still stands incredibly well today thanks to the sparse orchestrations and and exuberant performance from Madonna.
It's then back into party mode with the happy-go-lucky, upbeat, Into The Groove which displays the raw, sassy, streetwise side to Madonna. However of more artistic value was the divine, hauntingly atmospheric ballad, Live To Tell. The song is sensual, exhilirating and breathtakingly beautiful which ranks as one of Madonna's strongest and most passionate ballads of the 1980's.
The opening classical interlude on Papa Don't Preach is masterful. The lyrics offered profound social commentary that was rather oddly perceived as controversial at the time by the more unliberated critics.It was evident that Madonna was vastly maturing impeccably well as a recording artist with her vocal delivery becoming clearer, stronger and losing that slight nasal sound she had when she first began. At this stage in her career she was now fimrly America's leading female pop star of the 1980's.
It's then back into jamming pop terriotry with the delicious, Open Your Heart which Madonna performs brilliantly, sufboarding neatly up and down those familiar, catchy arrangements.
The sultry, Latin effects on La Isla Bonita is one of her most compelling recordings of that era. Madonna's smooth, lush delivery gives the wonderful musical arrangements an extra spark. Fantastic!
In early 1989 Madonna came up with one of her more controversial outings with the startling religious and spiritual undertones on Like A Prayer. The video to this classic was eventually banned but Madonna had made her mark and Like A Prayer is another of her most definitive classics. The gospel backing vocals along with Madonna's crisp, distinct performance is absolutely divine!
The red hot funk sounds of the electric and spectacular, Express Yourself proved Madonna still reigned supreme when it came to delivering great dance music which through all styles she has experimented with, have always initially made it some way into that genre.
More mellow and laid back was the mid-beat sounds to the exotic, Cherish which is vaguely familiar to her earlier work where as Vogue is just a pure pop masterpiece! Atmospheric and reflective in it's content, the stormy dance arrangements on here, complete with a sassy, sultry vocal performance from its star, is simply a genius piece of work!
More evocative and sexually charged was the erotic, Justify My Love which had been recorded specifically for The Immaculate Collection (1990). The tone is red-hot, hypnotic and trance-like through out where as another specially recorded track was the monster affair of Rescue Me. A dramatic affair, it's ignited effectivley from Madonnas almost stark and considerably chilly delivery. Rescue Me rounds this rollercoaster ride of an album off on an absolute high!
All tracks found on The Immaculate Collection are mere jewels in Madonnas crown. They each represent landmarks in her career and in twentieth century Pop music. Madonnas music continues to have a strong impact on the charts to this day and this album reminds you of where Madonna mania all started.
Ian Phillips
September 2006
How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
I love this album, Madonna is one of the few pop artists I'll still listen to - these days I am more into rock and indie - which perhaps says something about how great an artist she is.
anonymili 28.09.2006 08:53
Sounds like I'd enjoy this album, don't really rate her most recent stuff! Mil x
marie130569 27.09.2006 23:16
As a Madonna fan since the 80's i have to agree this is a great album.
Good Review.
Marie x
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
Sep 27th, 2006
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