Ray of Light - Madonna (CD 1998)

Madonna, often called the mother of reinvention, came to a crossroads in her career. The woman who made a career of being sexually overt, controversial and often sensational was now a mother. The tides in the pop culture were changing and albums like Erotica and Bedtime Stories were no longer going to really cut it. So what s a material girl to do? Well, in Madonna s case she decided to revamp her sound keeping some elements but reinvigorating her music with new ones. Ditching eroticism for introspection and sexuality for more dynamic roles of women she came back with her Ray of Light album. Ray of Light has a very expansive, floating feel that really gives it something different. The songs are more evolved and developed from the last two albums and you can sense a real change of who Madonna was as a person.

Everything that works about this album is apparent in the first two singles from the album. Ray of Light is an intoxicating blend of techno and pop which literally catapults Madonna into a whole new realm. The lyrics are very universal underneath a dazzling array of sounds and swirls as she expresses her feelings of freedom and hope. It s probably one of Madonna s most career defining singles as far as moving in new directions and proving she can t be contained in any decade. Frozen is a gorgeous song that really captures you from the first moment you hear it. The lyrics aren t really anything special but there is something wise and vulnerable about her performance. Dramatic strings announce the song before settling into the gentle but direct verses. Then it shifts into an almost trancelike chorus as she lures the subject of her attention into her world away from the frozen world he keeps himself isolated in. Power of Goodbye is another winner striking an elegant and vibrant balance between the first two singles. It s a more techno flavored song but it also has some introspective lyrics and a gorgeous melody.

Candy Perfume Girl has a brooding little guitar riff, an awesome sensual beat, sexy lyrics and some interesting distorted effects. It s a fun song that adds something a little different to the album but doesn t have the blatant sexuality of songs like Human Nature . Shanti/Ashtangi is a chant of some sorts and it actually works much better than you would think. It makes a nice transition between two more traditional songs. Swim is another interesting piece of pop with a guitar riff that will make you think of the Red Hot Chili Peppers. The melody is somewhat catchy and it s a song that grows on you with repeated listens.

The album opens with the pondering, explorative Drowned World/Substitute for Love which is one of the first times we see Madonna pondering the costs of her fame and what it has meant in her life. This is a trick she pulls on every album afterwards with less effect but on this first outing post-motherhood it comes to the listener as sincere and thoughtful. The music is very smooth and mellow with gentle computerized flourishes and sparkling effects that sounds ethereal and expansive. Little Star is a beautiful love song for a little girl and is inspired and sweet. I love how it has such a open, infinite sound as she lovingly sings never forget how to dream butterfly . This song reminds me of my daughter Kassidy because it s a song that really fits her effervescent personality. Sky Fits Heaven is interesting with it s dreamy piano, stuttering techno underpinnings and pulsating feel. It sounds like a more evolved, less trouble Bedtimes Stories .

Of course, even though there are lots of wonderful moments there are definitely times where the album stops orbiting and definitely crashes back to the atmosphere. Mer Girl has got to be one of the most boring songs. It finishes the album and quite frankly I feel it should have been left off. It just drones on and on as she sings the most uninteresting melody and drab lyrics you can possibly imagine. I ran to the forest, I ran to the trees, I ran and I ran, I was looking for me Eventually you ll be running for the trees just to get away from this endless song. Nothing Really Matters is the only single I though was really underwhelming and lackluster. Over a bland dance beat it sounds like a generic remix even though this is the original. The production towards the end is cluttered and annoying. To Have and Not Hold is a bit better than the previous two mentioned but its missing a little something. It does have a nice little swaying sound to it and a mild hook but it never ends up being more than attractive filler.

Despite some moments that are less impressive, the album overall for Madonna was a career developing success. The techno elements, the deeper and more serious lyrics and the change of focus from carnal pleasure to more universal ones gave Madonna an album that truly furthered her abilities and accomplishments. She managed to live up to the fact that she s got herself a universe separate from Britney and all the other up and coming starlets. It was really a great moment for Madonna.