Ray of Light Tracks
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
Ray of Light 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-centered pat on the back that belies her claim to a newfound 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 center of our spiritual world too. --Roni Sarig
The album begins with "Drowned World / Subtitite For Love", which was the albums third single in the UK, peaking at #10. It starts out with simple long synthesiser notes, and soon explodes into a loud dance track as Madonna sings for the final time: 'The face of you / My substitute for love....' The second song, Swim, is better than the first. It has a dreamy beat and a very serious subject matter, and is one of my favourites of this album. "Ray Of Light" is a track I didn't like at first, but I love it now. Like the first two tracks, it starts out very simple (this time with a guitar), and then leads into a fun dance track. "Candy Perfume Girl" is another song that grew on me. It is a dark song with an excellent climax, but the albums peak is the weird, dark., and complex "Skin". It reminded me of Dannii Minogues "Everything Changes Underwater" (which you have never heard of, I know) but that is a different review. It is a very techno-based song, but also features some Latin influences and it is the longest song on the album, lasting for nearly 6-and-a-half minutes.
"Nothing Really Matters" is the albums fourth and final single. It is a reflection on Madonna's childhood, and a great dance song. "Sky Fits Heaven" is a common fan-favourite, but I personally think it seems to drag on a bit. "Shanti / Ashtangi" is the albums lowpoint, and most fans will agree. It is just a little boring and repeatative, although it is very complex - there are many little things to listen out for, which will not keep you bored. "Frozen" is my second favourite song and the albums first single. It got to #2 in the UK, and was very very successful throughout all of Europe and America. "The Power Of Goodbye" is a song than many fans love. I think compared to most Madonna songs, it is good but not great. "To Have And Not To Hold" is a dark techno song. It is very dreamy and atmospheric. "Little Star" is a song I didn't really like at first, but I love it now. It iwas written for Madonna daughter. "Mer Girl" is another of my favourites. It is the albums most inaccessble, and closes the album beatifully.
9.5 / 10
Althogh most this album isn't very, let's just say it was unlike all pop music in 1998, Madonna had again changed the mainstram, and Ray Of Light sold 14 million copies worldwide.