One of Pop Music's Greatest First Impressions!
Madonna (1983)
1. "Lucky Star"
Man, that opening synth music is magic! Sure it's just a quick intro beat but it completely captures the essence of that decade to the point where I can't help but smile. I forget how young Madonna sounded back then (I know, she was like 25 at the time, duh!). But in just this first song you can already feel her irresistible charm through her cutesy vocals and chants "You must be my lucky star/Cause you shine on me/Wherever you are". This is just a bright, fun dance tune that was a pretty big first hit for her and many casual listeners who grew up in the 80s until now can just sing along to because it really is a classic!
(A+)
2. "Borderline"
This is also another classic 80s gem as Madonna sings about a rocky relationship but it's such great tune. She actually sounds a bit more mature on this track than this last, as not only is she singing this well but I can feel the emotion behind the song is genuine. I wouldn't be surprised if one of Madonna's relationships at the time was the muse behind this song's conception...or maybe I'm over analyzing?? I do that from time to time, so an early warning if you plan on actually following my reviews. But anyway, I love this song, such a great song to hum to or sing along to during karaoke night. Though, I feel the version of the song I listened to is some lengthy remix where Madonna's voice echoes after she sings "Borderline". Could be a Spotify thing? I don't know.
(A+)
3. "Burning Up"
Shockingly enough, "Burning Up" was a commercial flop when it was released! Which is such a shame as this has such a great rock/pop crossover appeal. This almost has an Janis Joplin feel to it...or maybe that's just me again?? Janis was more heart wrenching soul music while this is fairly upbeat! But something about this song has this rebellious nature to it. Maybe I'm thinking of Joan Jett?! That would make more sense! Anyway, I love the classic 80s vibe of the song and it was sure a hell catchy enough to be a hit so what went wrong?? Ehhh, who cares! This is awesome overall!
(A)
4. "I Know It"
Okay, this is a pretty cute song, once again, about Madonna in a rocky relationship, this time worrying about a guy taking her love for granted...or more take it and run. It's nothing really special or a standout but it's enjoyable enough to not be basic.
(C+)
5. "Holiday"
I'd say this was one of Madonna's most universal hits. Sure, it wasn't a #1 or a big hit across the world but it's a song I'm sure many of us have heard at birthday parties, wedding receptions, barbecues, etc. Yes, it's one of those kind of songs, people! It's a song the whole family can enjoy and you can't say that about MANY of Madonna's songs, making this song's legacy that much more shocking. But once again, we have a classic tune here that's enjoyable for all ages, cultures, etc. A timeless track in every sense of the word!
(A+)
6. "Think of Me"
This is like Madonna's only version of "Respect" for the 80s. She is pressed and sick of her man taking her for granted. She expresses so real discontent and it makes for a cool jam. The chorus is solid, with some nice background vocals from unknown singers and then...there's the sax solo. So typical for music in the 80s/early 90s but it works. It all correlates to another strong track, that's part dance music, part feminist anthem.
(B)
7. "Physical Attraction"
Hmmmm...filler?? I don't know, "Physical Attraction" feels a little to cutesy and generic for me. Nothing really separates it from the other tracks on the album and it goes on far longer than it needs to be. Maybe if it was shorter I would like it better, but it's just kinda there. Nothing bad, just average.
(C)
8. "Everybody"
Madonna's very first single and while it's been pretty much forgotten among her glorious catalog of hits and by the general public, it actually captures the feel of dance/club scene of the early 80s. Hell, you can say Madonna played a part in making that scene as popular as it was. It's catchy tune that I'm surprised got absolutely no love like "Burning Up", but it's very fun and pulsates with an electric synth beat that I'm sure got many people on the dance floor despite it's frustrating failure commercially.
(B+)
You know, I'm astounded by how tame Madonna's first album. Considering she would go to be the Queen of not only Pop but controversy, there is little none to be found here. It's hard to believe there was a time where Madonna was just a struggling artist trying to find her own place amongst other pop contemporaries during the early 80s but....she was! By the late 70s, she had moved to New York for a chance at super stardom by performing at night clubs, which soon led her to be signed by Sire Records, due to the moderate success of her first single, "Everybody", released in late 1982. What is so great about "Madonna" how from the start, Madonna herself, was clearly on a path to improve the current musical precipice by taking control of her music from the jump. While she may have signed on with Reggie Lucas, she eventually dropped him and soon invited John "Jellybean" Benitez to work on the album which was the first of its kind to use never before used technology for the dawn of the new era of pop music. The soon to be dubbed "Material Girl" would give birth to signature 80s staple productions like the linn drum machine, Moog bass and Oberheim OB-X synthesizers. Released on July 27th, 1983, "Madonna" became a moderate hit on the charts, making it to the 8th spot on the Billboard 200. Coming in during the birth of music video era, Madonna would go on to promote such iconic and timeless singles as "Lucky Star", "Borderline" and especially "Holiday"; a trifecta or hits that would only be the groundwork of what was to come from the future Queen of Pop. The album itself is very of it's time...yet feels very fresh and fantastical til this day. With only 8 tracks, that's very impressive. While not every song works in Madonna's favor, with "Physical Attraction" leaving me more cold and reserved than hot and bothered, the album itself has a great number of standouts that perfectly fit into the rising pop music climate of the 80s. The criminally underrated and underperforming "Burning Up" is so classic MTV age rock that shows early signs of the Material Girl venturing into other musical genres that she would help become trendy instead of following like most artists of her day. Don't get me wrong, there is nothing here compelling and worth stopping one in their musical tracks, but this is a superb debut of an artist who is already showing her potential and feeding into a decade of outlandlish and visionary pop art form that would define the modern era of music til this day.
"After struggling to become a household name in the music industry, "Madonna", the delightfully radio friendly and hit heavy debut album from the renowned Material Girl is beyond satisfying with its revolutionary 80s pop signature sounds, irresistible lyrics and timeless melodies that would only hint at what was to come from pop music's most groundbreaking female superstar!" :)
(A- )
5. "Holiday"
I'd say this was one of Madonna's most universal hits. Sure, it wasn't a #1 or a big hit across the world but it's a song I'm sure many of us have heard at birthday parties, wedding receptions, barbecues, etc. Yes, it's one of those kind of songs, people! It's a song the whole family can enjoy and you can't say that about MANY of Madonna's songs, making this song's legacy that much more shocking. But once again, we have a classic tune here that's enjoyable for all ages, cultures, etc. A timeless track in every sense of the word!
(A+)
6. "Think of Me"
This is like Madonna's only version of "Respect" for the 80s. She is pressed and sick of her man taking her for granted. She expresses so real discontent and it makes for a cool jam. The chorus is solid, with some nice background vocals from unknown singers and then...there's the sax solo. So typical for music in the 80s/early 90s but it works. It all correlates to another strong track, that's part dance music, part feminist anthem.
(B)
7. "Physical Attraction"
Hmmmm...filler?? I don't know, "Physical Attraction" feels a little to cutesy and generic for me. Nothing really separates it from the other tracks on the album and it goes on far longer than it needs to be. Maybe if it was shorter I would like it better, but it's just kinda there. Nothing bad, just average.
(C)
8. "Everybody"
Madonna's very first single and while it's been pretty much forgotten among her glorious catalog of hits and by the general public, it actually captures the feel of dance/club scene of the early 80s. Hell, you can say Madonna played a part in making that scene as popular as it was. It's catchy tune that I'm surprised got absolutely no love like "Burning Up", but it's very fun and pulsates with an electric synth beat that I'm sure got many people on the dance floor despite it's frustrating failure commercially.
(B+)
You know, I'm astounded by how tame Madonna's first album. Considering she would go to be the Queen of not only Pop but controversy, there is little none to be found here. It's hard to believe there was a time where Madonna was just a struggling artist trying to find her own place amongst other pop contemporaries during the early 80s but....she was! By the late 70s, she had moved to New York for a chance at super stardom by performing at night clubs, which soon led her to be signed by Sire Records, due to the moderate success of her first single, "Everybody", released in late 1982. What is so great about "Madonna" how from the start, Madonna herself, was clearly on a path to improve the current musical precipice by taking control of her music from the jump. While she may have signed on with Reggie Lucas, she eventually dropped him and soon invited John "Jellybean" Benitez to work on the album which was the first of its kind to use never before used technology for the dawn of the new era of pop music. The soon to be dubbed "Material Girl" would give birth to signature 80s staple productions like the linn drum machine, Moog bass and Oberheim OB-X synthesizers. Released on July 27th, 1983, "Madonna" became a moderate hit on the charts, making it to the 8th spot on the Billboard 200. Coming in during the birth of music video era, Madonna would go on to promote such iconic and timeless singles as "Lucky Star", "Borderline" and especially "Holiday"; a trifecta or hits that would only be the groundwork of what was to come from the future Queen of Pop. The album itself is very of it's time...yet feels very fresh and fantastical til this day. With only 8 tracks, that's very impressive. While not every song works in Madonna's favor, with "Physical Attraction" leaving me more cold and reserved than hot and bothered, the album itself has a great number of standouts that perfectly fit into the rising pop music climate of the 80s. The criminally underrated and underperforming "Burning Up" is so classic MTV age rock that shows early signs of the Material Girl venturing into other musical genres that she would help become trendy instead of following like most artists of her day. Don't get me wrong, there is nothing here compelling and worth stopping one in their musical tracks, but this is a superb debut of an artist who is already showing her potential and feeding into a decade of outlandlish and visionary pop art form that would define the modern era of music til this day.
"After struggling to become a household name in the music industry, "Madonna", the delightfully radio friendly and hit heavy debut album from the renowned Material Girl is beyond satisfying with its revolutionary 80s pop signature sounds, irresistible lyrics and timeless melodies that would only hint at what was to come from pop music's most groundbreaking female superstar!" :)
(A- )
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