James Bond has never been cooler - and neither has a soundtrack
in the action hero's series of blockbuster films. The title is track
by Madonna, who has a cameo in the movie. Along with a score by
one-time Bjork collaborator David Arnold, it also features the classic
James Bond Theme remixed by cutting edge dance master Paul Oakenfold.
The CD is also enhanced with Madonna's 'Die Another Day' music video,
the making of the video segment, Bond bonus extras, women of Bond
gallery and more. Warner Bros. 2002.
The naughtily titled Immaculate Collection culls 15 of Madonna's
Top 10 singles from 1984 to mid-'90, plus 2 new ones that continued
the run (the dirty, trunk-bumping funk of "Justify My Love"--a
Lenny Kravitz production that justifies his entire career--and the
danceable desperation of "Rescue Me"). Rooted in disco
and classic AM pop from girl groups and ABBA to Strawberry Alarm
Clock, Madonna made savvy, touching music throughout her first golden
era. These tracks retain their sonic and historical significance
while, like "She Loves You" or "Rocket Man,"
still brightening any space they're being played in. Far more than
just a wise, irreverent image-maker--like the Beatles or Elton,
come to think of it--Madonna during these years was the gift that
kept on giving, forever fresh, sexy, hooky, and joyously sharp.
So there's this pop singer... you may have heard of her? Madonna,
she's called, and the word is that she's basically all image; she
went through a put-your-hands-all-over-my-body phase, then she got
spiritual, and then she started wearing cowboy hats. Between all
the gossip columns and photo shoots, though, she's left an unmatched
trail of devastatingly wonderful singles--roaring dance records,
tender ballads, and a curious combination of the two that is her
personal specialty ("Secret" and "Ray of Light").
How many artists' best-of-the-second-decade collections crowd out
legitimate hits? ("American Pie," anyone? "This Used
to Be My Playground"?) Unlike 1990's Immaculate Collection,
GHV2 doesn't have any new material; "Don't Cry for Me, Argentina,"
from Evita, and the glorious '60s pastiche "Beautiful Stranger"
are the only songs that haven't appeared on a Madonna album before.
But it compresses her past 10 years worth of records into an hour
of one peak after another.
It didn't take the postmotherhood Ray of Light to prove that Madonna
is a big softie; this collection of ballads and slow jams had already
done that. Somewhat confused in intention--the scalding ache of
"Oh Father," a 1989 song for her own dad, is shoved between
the sex of "Rain" and a version of Marvin Gaye's "I
Want You"--this is nonetheless a highly listenable album for
those who dig Madonna for her music as much as for her cultural
significance.
Amazon.com's Best of 2000
Mama Madonna returned from the spiritual world and got her groove
thing goin' once again for Music. Flanked by Ray of Light's tried-and-true
producer William Orbit and a French newcomer, DJ and producer Mirwais,
Madonna pours her heart out on the dancefloor, combining self-revealing
lyrics with retro-electro beats. Reinventing herself as an urban
cowgirl pimpette, Madonna once again sets the standard for mainstream
pop, which will probably only be topped by her next release.
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.