Ray of Light

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Editorial reviews

Amazon.co.uk Review
Never underestimate Madonna's power of persuasion: by nearly all critical accounts, Ray of 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

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Description
'Ray Of Light' was produced by the ambient pioneer William Orbit. Michigan-born Madonna started work on this album following her involvement in a film production of 'Evita'. The no.1 singles 'Frozen' and 'Ray Of Light' are included.

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Customer reviews

review by: date: 2008-07-08 rating:
Madge exploits Giorgio and us once more - YAWN!
How amazing! How out there! How fab is the ever reinventive Mrs Ritchie? Well, actually no, she is none of these things!! She of the Minnie Mouse vocal chords and limited musical talent (if she has any at all, lets face it!) has discovered that 20 years after the fact the general public have forgotten late 1970s Italian disco producer Girogio Moroder and so the exploitative witch beautiffully rips him and we the masses right off - AGAIN! The Empress' new clothes horse is also all Eastern Mystic here, how quaint? Quite gross really! 'cos you know she don't mean it! Someone put this manipulative old cow to sleep, please!

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review by: scifihorror fan date: 2008-06-16 rating:
Frozen on The Ray Of Light
Bedtime Stories was a mellow album by Maddie and Ray of Light just kicks it up a few notches by creating a different feel of tune and a very creative formation of songs.
i personally feel that this is a very good album and love the majority of the songs on offer here,but there are other albums that beat it(see Music,Like a prayer,Erotica,True Blue,Confessions,Hard Candy,and American Life)but that doesn't mean this album isn't good it just means there are albums i prefer to this...i see why loads find this album to be one of her best...it is one of her best,having become a mother and reached 40 she matured and delivered some more touching and deep songs (deeper and more hard hitting than bedtime stories)while not becoming traditional ballads.
by collaborating with other producers,it gives Ray of Light the feel it should have,some dance,some ballads,and some deep tracks that interlude into each other(a similar technique is used with Confessions).
the tracklist-
Drowned world/substitute for love-4/5-very good track that lures listners in.
Swim-5/5-powerful and very meaningful song with great lyrics.
Ray of Light-4/5-made a great single and good for dancing to.
Candy perfume girl-3/5-an unusual track but blends in nicely.
Skin-4/5-another unusual track that combines meaningful tunes with a dance orientated feel.
Nothing really matters-5/5-based on a character from a story Madge read about...and the music video showed the confused mood created,great track.
Sky fits Heaven-4/5-enjoyable.
Shanti/Ashtangi-5/5-great lyrics and makes a change...it's written in a completely different language,while consists a great beat.
Frozen-5/5-her first single from the album and a very deep moving track it is too.
The Power of goodbye-4/5-very meaningful and very moving lyrics making it a fabulous ballad(brings a tear).
to have and not to hold-4/5-great vocals.
little star-3/5-"never forget who you are,little star."very good and symbolizes Madge's motherhood.
Mer girl-3/5-strange and haunting closure to the album.
as you can see it is very enjoyable and if you don't own it already i recommend it to you along with the astounding-Music,Like a prayer,Erotica,True Blue,Confessions on a dance floor,Hard Candy,and American Life,also Bedtime Stories is a soothing album that is equally as enjoyable as Ray of Light.

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review by: Ron date: 2008-04-29 rating:
Bad Girl...
...Spiritualized!

1. Drowned World/Substitute For Love. 10/10
2. Swim. 9/10
3. Ray of Light. 10/10
4. Candy Perfume Girl. 8/10
5. Skin. 8/10
6. Nothing Really Matters. 10/10
7. Sky Fits Heaven. 7/10
8. Shanti/Ashtangi. 8/10
9. Frozen. 10/10
10. The Power of Good-Bye. 10/10
11. To Have Not To Hold. 7/10
12. Little Star. 9/10
13. Mer Girl. 8/10

OVERALL GRADE: 10/10
This is an album that you dream of finding, beautiful beats, brilliant lyrics and interestingly put instruments. Have it, you won't be dissapointed!!!

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review by: date: 2007-11-14 rating:
madonnas best album ever!
up to the release of this album in madonnas career had been in a bit of a decline...the pop of her youth had given way to blatent sex and shock..always delivered with madonna flair!

released in 1998 after the birth of her daughter and her interest in karma and such the lyrics are heartfelt and personal and show where madonna was as a artist/mother/person at this point....william orbit produces the album beyond perfection!

anyone who had put madonna down as another pop singer had to eat there words with this album!
"drowned world/substitute for love" was the 3rd single to be lifted and only reached no.10. its a brilliant song with great atmosphere and very personal lyrics..maybe not a great choice for a single but a stunning track 10/10

"swim" builds the atmosphere from the last track...its a great track but due to the quality of most of the songs it doesnt stand out 8/10

"ray of light" was single no.2 and reached no.2...it deserved to take the no.1 slot! the mad crescendo of dancefloor electronica, great vocals, hysteria provides a madonna classic 10/10

"candy perfume girl" is a poor track and should have been left off...4/10

"skin" like "ray of light" is a stunning electronic dance track..it builds and builds and builds to a dancefloor heaven 10/10

"nothing really matters" was single no.4 and reached no.7 and of all the tracks it is more of the early madonna sound..its good and solid but not amazing 8/10

"sky fits heaven" is another great big dance track that alternates between club beats and electronic heaven 10/10

"shanti" is a fast forward pile of rubbish 2/10

"frozen" was the 1st single and put madonna back on top of the charts...its amazing and like the whole album has stood the test of time as a classic track! it was so different to what was around at the time in the same vain as "like a prayer" did 10/10

"to power of goodbye" was single no.5 and reached no.6 it is a standout track on an amzing album and if it had been released before everybody owned the album would have topped the charts 10/10

"to have and not to hold" is another stunning track that gets overlooked..the great lyrics..perfect vocal performance..the hypnotic production 10/10

"little star" is madonnas track to her daughter and shows all the contentment and stability it brought her...it is a beautiful track..again very personal lyrics as madonna opens her soul 10/10

"mer girl" is an overindulgent song about the loss of her mother and trying to deal with it..its deeply personal..almost voyeuristic...but unless you have been there the deeply moving lyrics will mean mothing...its sparse and anyone who has not experienced the pain and loss will think its useless..i did till i was in the situation 10/10

the album is 100% personal and if was a 'serious' artist it would be classed as a life changing album - which it is!

its great for getting ready to go out..to dancing about to..but take an hour sit back, turn off the lights and read the lyrics as you listen...point if you have turned of the lights you cant see the lyrics...solution...lots of candles!!! it will add to the effect!

a stunning timesless album!




review by: Game Addict date: 2007-08-08 rating:
Ray Of Light
Great album i love it best tracks are the singles and skin 9/10 must buy.

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