Ray of Light

And while the opening track gets things off to an unexpected start with a hypnotic slice of slow rock, the lyrics of "Drowned World/Substitute for Love" set the pace of the record: "I traded fame for love/without a second thought...I found myself in crowded rooms/feeling so alone." Halfway through the song the music backs off and Madonna distances herself from side-effects of fame: "no famous faces, far off places/trinkets I can buy/no handsome stranger, heady danger/drug that I can try." As the list continues the decibel level grows until both Madonna and her music are at an in-your-face level, clearly declaring that fame may be nice but enough is enough.

The club-happy "Nothing Really Matters" is another summation of her new point of view; singing to her newborn daughter, the onetime Material Girl admits that she once "lived so selfishly," but now "everything's changed because of you/nothing really matters, love is all we need." The concept is simple but nonetheless a touching one. It could even be argued that the album's first single, the entrancing "Frozen," holds a deep premise. Lyrics like "you only see what your eyes want to see/how can life be what you want it to be/you're frozen when your heart's not open" could have easily been written from her daughter's point of view, as if Madonna realized during pregnancy what changes in outlook her child would need from her and decided to set it to music.

Not all the lyrical content is parental, however: the slow hip-hop of "Swim" offers a grim look at current events with a nonetheless optimistic plea for change, while "Shanti/Ashtangi" sets her spiritual beliefs to a funky, computer-laden rhythm. And then the midtempo "Power of Goodbye" and the near-Bossa Nova "To Have and Not to Hold" are flat-out love songs, albeit doomed ones. Still other songs appear to be about nothing in particular: "Candy Perfume Girl" is a trippy electronica workout laced with seemingly random poetry, while the frenetic title track has a lyrical spin that is either about Mother Earth, the downscaling of celebrity, or something in between.

And while the drum-and-bass lullaby "Little Star," a blessing to her child for a contented life, may come off feeling a little lightweight, the album's only true stumble is the spooky closer, "Mer Girl." Whereas "Like a Prayer" offered a moving account of a young girl missing her desceased mother in "Promise to Try," "Mer Girl" is instead a dreamlike sequence in which a new celebrity mother is still in search of the mother she didn't have long enough. It may sound like a touching idea, but lyrics like "I smelt her burning flesh/her rotting bones/her decay" are too dour and heavy after twelve tracks of mostly dance music. But all in all, "Ray of Light" marks her most successful connection with dance music and her most compelling efforts as a lyricist. It's a relief to know that, years after enjoyable ear candy like "Holiday" and "Like a Virgin," Madonna grew up and matured over the years just like the rest of us. As she observes on "Sky Fits Heaven": "isn't everyone just travelling down their own road/watching the signs as they go/I think I'll follow my heart/it's a very good place to start." Very good? Some would say brilliant.


Ray of Light truly is like a prayer   August 26, 2007
JGC
16 out of 16 found this review helpful

This is Madonna's work of art. And this CD is the very best collection of any music she has ever produced since "Erotica." Madonna's lyrics are beautiful and strong because even after 9 years it still stands the test of time. It's completely impossible for this CD to be dated; with the electronica beat and fast moving dance numbers, such as the title-track this CD was way ahead of its time. Even in the double-00's "Ray of Light" is still very trendy.

Besides the song, "Ray of Light," I also adore "Frozen." This was the perfect song to be the lead-single because it mixed both the old and new Madonna into one. "Frozen" also helped resonate a steady flow of continuity.

I also love the song "Shanti/Ashtangi." In this song Madonna sings a very pretty melody in Sanskrit that is both unique and uplifting. I don't know what she's saying but I do know that I want to keep listening. I wish she would have done an entire CD like this (although she did release a similar song, "Music's" B-side, "Cyberraga" in 2000.)

Some of the other truly magical tracks on this CD are: "Swim" "Skin" and "Sky Fits Heaven." These songs are like pieces to an intricate quilt that come perfectly together. "Ray of Light" is almost like one big tune because all the songs on this CD live as one in perfect harmony.

Why is this CD so perfect? Because it mixes the old with the new. It includes a very young sound that still sounds familiar and welcoming. "Ray of Light" totally reminds me of Madonna's two other greatest masterpieces, "Erotica" and "Like A Prayer."

This is the Madonna that I truly love because this CD was so unique and artistic. She took a huge gamble with "Ray of Light" because she hadn't had a hit record in years and boy did it pay off. You cannot deny "Ray of Light" its place in music history as one of the greatest popular dance records of the 90's.

A reporter in Europe once asked Madonna what she liked the most about the "old Madonna" and she said something to the effect of, "both the old Madonna and new Madonna have a sense of humor about these sort of questions." I suppose she didn't want to spend her time talking about the "old Madonna." Instead she was more interested in the present. And that's what "Ray of Light" is about. It's like a day at the beach with someone you love. It's a reminder that even after the dark there is some light. It's like a sunny day when everything turns out great. In this crazy world, "Ray of Light" gives me hope that there is still some optimism out there. You are home with "Ray of Light."


People, if you're gonna review do it for real   December 16, 1999
Juan Camilo Vera (FL)
29 out of 34 found this review helpful

This is a superb album. It is well produced and the music is beautiful. The lyrics are simple yet deep and somewhat thought provoking. The artist herself shows an evolution in her vocal ability as well as her songwriting style. Some clever moments are seen in tracks like "Nothing really matters," "To have and not to hold," and 'The Power of goodbye." The latter is a sad yet uplifting ballad which truly stands out as one of Madonna's best tracks in the 90's. Other songs like "Ray of Light" and "Frozen" are good dance anthems that stand out as very good pop material (although this album is touted as "electronica" I wouldn't really place it in that category---except for the fact that William Orbit's genius is behind it). In general I believe this album to be a great recording and I'd like to take a moment to tell all of those people who "review" this album (or any other for that matter) and say a bunch of horrible things only to anger other fans or to insult the artist, you people need to grow up, stop being stupid and offensive. If you don't like a book, CD, movie or any other product please be objective and explain in your review what the flaws may have been. Don't just say that this or that stinks or "I want my money back"type of cliches. Those readers and listeners who actually respect others expect more from Amazon than to read your ridiculous little brain type of comments, OK?


Haunting...mesmerizing...left me speechless...   November 27, 2005
B. Ang (New Brighton, MN USA)
9 out of 9 found this review helpful

I am big Madonna fan myself. I loved her since the "Borderline" days. I have copies of "Like A Virgin," "True Blue," "Like A Prayer," "Immaculate Collection," "Erotica," "Bedtime Stories," "Something to Remember," "Music," and "American Life." These were all great pop albums, but I am looking for songs which I really can relate to my emotions. If you're also looking for the same thing that I do...you're in the right place. It's the "Ray of Light" album.

I will not dare review all of the singles, simply coz I'm too lazy to type:-). I will just review the songs which simply appealed most to my heart: "Frozen," "The Power of Goodbye," and "To Have and Not to Hold." These 3 tracks is enough to make you purchase the album and say to yourself: "Damn, I made a good purchase!"

1) "Frozen"---A song perfect to dedicate to someone who you really love but can't love you back, but you're still hoping that he/she would open your heart to you. It's like a chant actually...its like invoking to a Superior Being and asking him to make that person love you back. Madonna is also trying to convince the one that she loves to "melt" his heart and eventually love her. Clever and optimistic thought. The sound effects here are enchanting. I listen to this song when I feel "down," as I try to move on. Its somewhat comforting and reassuring, just like a pill...

2)"The Power of Goodbye"---Perfect song for someone trying to move on. You're trying to convince yourself to let go...but sometimes it's just damn hard to say "goodbye" to someone you really love who hasn't loved you back. One of the most emotional Madonna songs ever---with the lines "There's nothing left to lose, there's no more heart to bruise." I love the lyrics, which was aided even more by its sound effects. I imagine myself to be in Near East when I listen to this---it has a certain "Middle Eastern feel" to it. Video is great too---a vacation house near a beach is a perfect place to meditate and mend your broken heart...

3)"To Have and Not to Hold"---Perfect song for someone who you really have an attraction on, but you can't pursue him/her due to certain constraints. Its like blaming your heart for falling for this certain guy or girl, but you shouldn't. A good example---falling for your classmate but can't pursue him/her because he/she likes someone else, so both of you can end up as close friends---but not intimate lovers. This happens to me all the time, and when it happens, I always play this song:-)

Other excellent tracks are "Sky Fits Heaven"---perfect for travelers of "life," "Shanti Ashtangi,"---very mesmerizing, you can even dance to it in the end. "Ray of Light"---the song in which Madonna delivered her most powerful vocals ever, and "Mer Girl,"---very mysterious. In here Madonna became a visionary, just like Bjork.

BOTTOMLINE: Don't patronize my review. BUY this album yourself and give it a try. Trust me, you will be enchanted and you won't regret it...




Utter joy....   November 22, 1999
A. Bennett (New Hampsha)
8 out of 8 found this review helpful

Madonna has the knack for grabbing you attention and with Ray of Light she keeps it. Profoundly deep and spiritually moving Madonna leads the way(again) for female singer of a new generation. Not to knock others down but what is Mariah Carey or Whitney Houston doing? The same old things...enlisting hard core rap artists to reinvigorate their music. Madonna is on her own-not trying to impress anyone but herself. "Frozen" is an utter masterpeice-the strings and drums give me goosebumps, and vocally she has never sounded better. People don't buy her records to hear her voice as they do Barbra Striesand or Celine Dion-they buy them because she always provides something fresh and new. I wouldn't classiy this album as electonica-it is pop. I think that the electonic sounds give a depth that is unreal. Take "The Power of Goodbye" for example-it is not you typical ballad-the syth sounds and vocal effects give it life and vitallity-unlike so many stagnant "power ballads" of recent years. If you choose to buy her album expect an aray of sounds and feelings-life, death, love, lose, pain, joy, and millions more; expect to be shocked at the music-extremely layered and provoative. Who else would turn an chant into a pop song? But most importantly expect to be moved-you'll be amazed...