Madonna - Music

"Music", typical to form of the reigning queen of pop is certainly a brave release. With all it's bare and simplistic production, Madonna refuses to fall victim of the "Over-Production" virus that has claimed so many of her peers over the years. Once again teaming up with William Orbit (One of her wisest collaborations ever, and perhaps one of the wisest in pop music history) has been fruitful once more with the key tracks "Runaway Lover" and "Amazing" proving the collaborations worth. The lead single "Music" is as obnoxious as it gets and will have no doubt turned many off - not one of my favourites but a testiment to what a brave record this is. The less brash "Don't Tell Me" is excellent with lyrics that display what is good and well with Madonna's writing. My personal favourite, "What It Feels Like For A Girl", is another with solid writing but it's in production that this track comes into it's own. Perhaps the inclusion of the William Orbit remix would have been nice. "Amazing" is just that.

All in all, there are some key crowning moments in this album that prove just why Madonna accomplished her goal of taking over the world. The albums trips up over it's own electro-fuelled futuristic sound a couple times though. "Paradise (Not For Me)" definatley isn't for me, and "Nobody's Perfect" is nowhere near approaching anything 'perfect'. A decent relase that nearly reaches the impossible heights of "Ray of Light" but falls just short of the mark. Still, a worthwhile release that has yet more crowning moments in Madonna's amazing career.

Madonna certainly knows how to keep up with current affairs. Never liked her old stuff, but this is quite good. The album is produced by amongst other William Orbit and Mirwais. Check out Mirwais' album 'Production' on Epic for some excellent electro.