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SHOPPING > Music > Rock & Pop > Like A Prayer - Madonna > Reviews

Like A Prayer - Madonna

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Like A Prayer - Madonna

Quote-start

Pray that her next album is this good

Quote-end

5 May 20th, 2001 

15 Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful

Advantages:
classic tracks such as Like A Prayer, Cherish etc .

Disadvantages:
Love Song with Prince is a bit disappointing

Recommendable Yes:

Detailed rating:

Originality

Lyrics

Quality and consistency of tracks

How does it compare to the artist's other releases

Value for Money

jonathancowley

jonathancowley

About me:

Lazy lazy lazy

Member since:08.03.2001

Reviews:88

Members who trust:41

I was a little disappointed with Madonna's Music album - yes, it has a lot of great tracks, but there also a few songs I find myself skipping whenever I play the album. After collecting enough ipoints I was able to get Like A Prayer for free, and it's much more satisfying. For me, Like A Prayer is Madonna at her most confident, and there's a great mix of traditional upbeat Madonna songs as well as contemplative ballads and more experimental tracks. The lyrics are also more intelligent than on Music, and seem to reveal a lot more about Madonna herself. Here's the track listing:

1. Like A Prayer - one of my favourite Madonna singles of all time, this is a fantastic way to start the album. The gospel choir and powerful lyrics really build and build throughout the song. I also have fond memories of the opening lyrics - "Life is a mystery, everyone must stand alone" being quoted by Edina (I think) in Absolutely Fabulous as if they were the words of a great philosopher.

2. Express Yourself - a real girl-power style anthem, Madonna is yet again confident and assertive, and if you're a bloke, quite scary! The lyrics are some of Madonna's best, with the Material Girl now saying that "you don't need diamond rings or eighteen karat gold".

3. Love Song - written and performed with Prince, this is perhaps my least favourite track on the album. It seems a bit self-indulgent, and though it does have quite a relaxing, laid-back continental vibe, it never really goes anywhere.

4. Till Death Us Do Part - one of the most interesting songs on the album. The first time I heard it, this track sounded like very simple play it by numbers pop, but the lyrics are actually about Madonna's marriage to Sean Penn and are quite dark. Gets better and better the more you listen to it and is reminiscent to me of the late, great Dubstar.

5. Promise To Try - a song about dealing with her mother's death, the lyrics are again powerful and moving and the musical arrangement is understated. One of her best ballads ever, I would say.

6. Cherish - a welcome burst of happy pop after Promise To Try, this song is just a delightful celebration of love. Another Madonna classic.

7. Dear Jessie - even though this was released as a single I hadn't heard it at all until I bought this album. And it's an excellent track that takes you into a childish wonderland with rainbows, magic lanterns and ponk elephants. A bit Beatles-esque.

8. Oh Father - has an orchestral backdrop that really adds to the drama of the lyrics talking about tears, pain and hurting. I prefer Promise To Try but this is still a moving, powerful ballad.

9. Keep It Together - has been described as Express Yourself Part Two on Ciao before now and I wouldn't disagree with that. It's all about the importance of family ("'cause blood is thicker than any other circumstance"), and although not as good as Express Yourself, it's still excellent.

10. Pray For Spanish Eyes - about the Spanish Civil War, this reminds me of Madonna's later single Take A Bow. Unsurprisingly this has a strong Spanish feel to it, but I don't think it would have been strong enough to be chosen as a single.

11. Act of Contrition - uses Like A Prayer played backwards and Madonna praying and eventually shouting about computers. A very brief, disturbing end to the album, you really have to hear it to know what I'm going on about!

Overall Like A Prayer is full of songs of a consistently high standard that showcases an artist at the height of her powers. It certainly challenges Ray Of Light as my favourite Madonna album and the songs have not aged even though it was released way back in 1989. If you don't have a copy, start collecting those ipoints now! 

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Comments about this review »

LostWitness 08.09.2001 14:21

Couldn't rate this cos Ciao is fucked at the moment, but have to agree with you - this is probably my favourite Madaonna album! :O)

joannahudson 04.07.2001 23:03

I too was very disappointed with Music, it seems very superficial. Like a Preyer is classic Madonna! Good op. JO :@)

elspeth334 20.05.2001 16:12

Great review Cheers Elspeth

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Like a Prayer - Madonna

Considered by many to be the Material Girl's most mature effort of the 1980s,Like a ... more

Prayerupped the ante of controversy with its
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Like a Prayer - Madonna

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Considered by many to be the Material Girl's most mature effort of the 1980s, Like a ... more

Prayer upped the ante of controversy with its
gospel-infused title  track and the singer's
emotional confessions throughout. It also unveiled
the  hit  "Express Your...

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Like A Prayer Express Yourself Love Song Till Death Do Us Part ... more

Promise To Try         Cherish         Dear Jessie
        Oh Father         Keep It Together        
Spanish Eyes         Act Of Contrition

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