... I would normally expect a Madonna album to be the former, but for me, Ray of Light was very different. I originally purchased the album during its first week of release, and was so indifferent towards it that I sold the album to a work colleague. Months later, and after the release of several ... Read review
This review already contains more than 120 words. As a Ciao member you could earn up to £5 with this review.
Ray of Light - Madonna
Never underestimate Madonna's power of persuasion: by nearly all critical accounts, Ray of
... more
Light, Madonna's first album of new material since 1994's Bedtime Stories, and her first since motherhood, is her richest, most accomplished record yet. While Ra...
RAY OF LIGHT
Personnel: Madonna (vocals); William Orbit (guitar, electronics); Mark Moreau (guitar);
... more
Pablo Cook (flute); Marius De Vries (keyboards, programming); Fergus Gerrand (drums, percussion); Steve Sidelnyk (programming); Donna DeLory, Niki Harris (backgroun...
Ray of Light -
Never underestimate Madonna's power of persuasion: by nearly all critical accounts,Ray of
... more
Light, Madonna's first album of new material since 1994'sBedtime Stories, and her first since motherhood, is her richest, most accomplished record yet. WhileRay o...
Light, Madonna's first album of new material since 1994's Bedtime Stories, and her first since motherhood, is her richest, most accomplished record yet. While Ra...
Light, Madonna's first album of new material since 1994's Bedtime Stories, and her first since motherhood, is her richest, most accomplished record yet. While Ray of Light is being tagged as Madonna's big leap into electronica, it's important to note two things: first, her music has always had close ties to dance culture, and, second, her collaborator William Orbit is no Chemical Brother. Though it has all the latest blips, bleeps, and crackles electronica has to offer, Ray of Light is still largely an adult album, completely within Madonna's realm. Still, Orbit's tasteful sonic constructions provide Madonna with her most adventurous, hippest musical backdrop ever. What's more, the arrangements and production are understated enough to highlight an even bigger development: fresh from singing lessons on the Evita set, Madonna's vocal range, depth, and clarity have never been stronger. But larger pipes don't necessarily make for deeper, truer music. Never a master lyricist, Madonna's words have worked best when they've practically been slogans ("Vogue," "Express Yourself"). This time she goes for more emotional depth, and even tries her hand at ethno-techno-mysticism ("Shanti/Ashtangi"). She largely stumbles, however. The tone conveyed on songs like "Nothing Really Matters" is a self-centred pat on the back that belies her claim to a newly found altruism. It's enough to make you wonder, now that Madonna's given up being our material girl, if maybe she's set her sights on becoming the centre of our spiritual world too. --Roni Sarig
WORK OF ART Review ofRay Of Light - Madonnaby
LostWitness
Advantages: Beautiful haunting music Disadvantages: Track 8
...the former, but for me, Ray of Light was very different. I originally purchased the album during its first week of release, and was so indifferent towards it that I sold the album to a work colleague. Months later, and after the release of several singles, I found myself drawn once again to the album, and I now consider Ray of Light to be one of the finest creations that Madonna has ever made.
Ray of Light is widely regarded as the album that regenerated ... ...career had started to stall. Ray of Light is a blend of the old, overlaid with plenty of innovation and style. The album was largely co-written with the (hitherto relatively unknown) producer William Orbit, who had brief success in the 1990s with Bass-o-matic’s Fascinating Rhythm. When I read that he had co-written most of the material on Ray of Light, I wasn’t really sure what to expect – and the finished product was very much ...
Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful
Originality
Lyrics
Quality and consistency...
How does it compare to ...
Value for Money
very helpful
16.09.2002
Blindin' Review ofRay Of Light - Madonnaby
Glorificus1
Advantages: Relaxing AND dancey Disadvantages: Mer Girl?
...to be her. Ray of Light shows that Madonna is more than a beautiful woman who can take her clothes off and shock people. This glorious record sees her and lyrist Pat Leonard in a resounding return to form. The lyrics are personal and insightful. This combined with the collaboration of William Orbit results in one of the most energized CD's for a long time. This CD also features the talents of Marius De Vries and Rick Novels. Has Madonna got this ... ...doesn't have the boundlessness of Ray of Light and maybe you do get to a point in the record when you're thinking, well just say goodbye then, but its very good I'm getting over him/her music. 11. To Have and Not To Hold 7/10 'My heart is in your hand / And yet you never stand/ Close enough for me to have my way/' Another Novels collaboration. The lyrics aren't my favourite, but it has a somewhat Latin flavour to it than rubs along nicely 12. Little ...
Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful
Advantages: Outstanding, Thought prevoking and a Masterpiece Disadvantages: None
Okay... So I bought this in 1998 I was 15 at the time. and now 6 years later I still listen to it and continue to find elements of the tracks that I hadn’t heard before. This quality is rarely found. William Orbit rose to fame with this album, and his work is superb. It covers every emotion from heartache to the joy of life. It lifts you up when you are down, it grabs your attention and never lets you go. Its an album that you can relate to ... ...in and never coming back. The sheer attention spent on the writing, lyrics and production is simply outstanding...
Onto the Tracks...
**Drowned World/Substitute For Love**
The album gets of with a subdued pace. But this is certainly not a bad thing. This track is gentle tt is very atmospheric. Its a though you are gently floating through clouds. There is a subtle beat throughout the song. With the ending packing a punch being taken into a louder ...
Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful
Advantages: graet songs, great vocals Disadvantages: a few songs aren't up to the v.high standard
Ray of Light was the album that really relaunched Madonna's career. It's quite an introspective, intelligent album, but also includes Madonna's usual mix of uptempo tracks alongside a few ballads. All this is greatly helped by William Orbit's help with the production on the album which gives the record a modern and distinctive vibe. Madonna's vocals are much stronger than in her earlier albums, maybe as a result of her vocal training for her role ... ...Here's the rundown on Ray of Light:
1. Drowned World/Substitue for Love - a exceptional start, this is one of my favourite Madonna songs ever - "I traded fame for love/without a second thought/it all became a silly game/some things cannot be bought" she sings. Very reflective and intelligent lyrics. The song builds and builds to a dramatic finish.
2. Swim - this guitar driven track makes you feel immersed in water, again the lyrics are very clever ...
Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful
Originality
Lyrics
Quality and consistency...
How does it compare to ...
Value for Money
very helpful
16.04.2001
Ray Of Light Review ofRay Of Light - Madonnaby
Toady
Advantages: See op Disadvantages: None
Ray Of Light was released in 1998 and on the album are 6 tracks that reached the charts which are as follows: Substitute For Love, Ray Of Light, Nothing Really Matters, Frozen, The Power Of Good-Bye and Little Star.
There are three tracks which I’m not to keen on which are Candy Perfume Girl and Shanti/Ashtangt and Mer Girl.
The tracks Swim and Skin I found to be ok but I prefer the tracks Sky Fits Heaven and To Have And Not To Hold.
Of ... ...for me.
Track3: Ray Of Light
I think this song is a very catchy tune and quite a happy tune with a good beat to it, well that’s what I think of it when I hear it. I do like this song it’d be my 5th favourite on the album. I’m not quite sure what this song is supposed to be about but I’d say it’s a very spiritual song.
Track4: Candy Perfume Girl
I didn’t like this song at all as I found it to be to slow and ...
Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful
Album Notes: Personnel: Madonna (vocals); William Orbit (guitar, electronics); Mark Moreau (guitar); Pablo Cook (flute); Marius De Vries (keyboards, programming); Fergus Gerrand (drums, percussion); Steve Sidelnyk (programming); Donna DeLory, Niki Harris (background vocals).
Album Reviews: Rolling Stone (5/13/99, p.82) - Included in Rolling Stone's "Essential Recordings of the 90's."
Titles on disc 1
1.: Drowned World (Substitute For Love)
2.: Swim
3.: Ray Of Light
4.: Candy Perfume Girl
5.: Skin
6.: Nothing Really Matters
7.: Sky Fits Heaven
8.: Shanti/Ashtangi
9.: Frozen
10.: Power Of Goodbye
11.: To Have And Not To Hold
12.: Little Star
13.: Mer Girl
Ciao
Listed on Ciao since : 05/06/2000
Compare Ray Of Light - Madonna to other similar Rock & Pop