Reviews (page 2 of 8)
Not my cup of tea
A little dull
Zach review sums it up pretty well
Wow, I have not given Madonna a real chance before and I am floored. This was amazing back to back. Added Express Yourself to the Gaylist
Honestly, this is one of the greatest openers of an album ever. The rest of the album didn’t disappoint either.
Madonna becomes an irreverent Kate Bush over Prince beats. Divine pop in more ways than one, and especially impressive for being totally crowd-pleasing and totally subversive at the same time. Have you seen the music video? You need to see the music video.
i don't think i've given madonna enough thought (or even credit, sadly) so far, but coming to think about it she has such a huge, vast and longlasting career that is very interesting and impressive. so in the 80s she sounded... 80s-ish. this is not a record i was expecting from what i know of hers, and it is kind of a good surprise, again because you can really feel the artistic development, simply from experience or from the products of different times. this is not very consistent or coherent in my opinion, but that makes it better this way: there is enough variety and different ways to enjoy it. i don't particularly adore the more ballad oriented songs, although they DO sound good, and i'd think madonna wouldn't get where she is at now if it was only for this sort of music (but then we get something like "love song" which is feels VERY michael jackson adjacent, but even more interesting imo, so certainly that WAS the fame's way), so tracks like "till death do us part" or even "dear jessie" which sounds like an altered or more mainstream appropriated dream pop sound are my favorite out of the bunch. this was my first madonna experience and it certainly gives me a lot more curiosity into her work
I never listened to this album in its entirety, it was okay.
Fire
Kinda boring, maybe it’s just not for me. Title tracks good though
Title track goes hard of course but I really liked the last one
AAAA I F LOVE THIS ALBUM, Amen <3
I can't believe I'm saying this, but this album is pretty great in a lot of places. The song Like a Prayer is such a complete sounding pop song. Till Death Do Us Part has a really catchy instrumental thing going on here. Keep It Together has a good bass going on. Spanish Eyes tossing some flamenco guitar in. And yeah sure, Prince is doing his thing well here too. There are a lot of people who know what they're doing on this album. This is genuinely better than I thought Madonna was.
This isn't the music for me, but I can't deny that this is a well crafted album. With a run of pop music like she had, she deserves the title The Queen of Pop. That title track has crazy pop power. It's like a team of scientists created this album. Not every track is great and a few are too long for a pop album, but the sound holds up.
Es dificil poner puntajes serios con una escala del 1 al 5 en enteros. Es un album que se deja escuchar, excepto por el ultimo tema. Como siempre no me fijo en las letras tanto como deberia, sin embargo no creo que busque hablar de mucho. Se escucha bien, vocalmente madonna no te deja a gamba ni a palo y algunos temas keep it together tienen un groove interesante. Es un 3 redondo.
A very good album, with lots of really string singles, and I remember the positive impact of songs like Express Yourself at the time. The non-singles aren't quite as strong imo.
Highs are high, but some tracks really drag, especially the ballads. Madonna is officially a cool girl, but expected a bit more from this.
Madonna didn't steal her title of Queen of Pop. While I prefer Cyndi Lauper in that aspect, Madonna's songs are always a bop. This album is also pretty diverse in terms of musical styles and influences. Everybody knows "Like a Prayer" and "Express Yourself", they're quintessential pop songs, but there's also "Love Song" with Prince and its funk elements, or "Till Death do us Part", a brave song for a pop album (who would have thunk that you could make such a banger out of domestic violence???). "Promise to Try", "Oh Father" and "Spanish Eyes" are also very beautiful, powerful songs that are more soul than pop. But I have to say my favorite of the bunch has to be "Dear Jessie". I just love the child-like wonder of the lyrics and instrumentation, it feels like being transported into a dream where everything is easier. Love it. Might not be the most "Madonna" song out there, it's a bit jarring coming from the woman who sang "Material Girl" and "Like a Virgin", but it's still fantastic. All around, this album is great. Of course it's still pop, it's not going to shatter anybody's world, but for what it tries to achieve, it's pretty much perfect.
What I'm learning is that I really don't care for Madonna outside a handful of hits, none of which are on this album
Not bad, not my thing. Reinforces my opinion of Prince I guess because oof that song was boring. I don't like pop, but I dislike Madonna less than most other pop.
The music itself wasnt great on a fair few of the tracks but there were some good lyrics. some of the ditties aside that sounded like Lock Stock and acherman or whatever theyre called, which were naff, the rest wasnt really that bad. Some slick production.
Bar the title track, this is naff. I didn't like it. She deserves more than 1 objectively as a pop star, but this album is really weak.
Madonna really reminds you why she was such a force of nature in the music industry. She crushes it this whole album, Like a Prayer and Express Yourself coming out swinging and the rest of the listen refuses to let up. Also it has that really enjoyable and joyful quality of an early 90s pop album. I needed a neon windbreaker and some wired headphones to enjoy this properly.
Shocked by how much I enjoyed this album! Just endless bops. Spanish Eyes is so good are you kidding me?!? Express Yourself are you kidding me?!? The titular Like a Prayer holy shit!
Album #176: Madonna – Like a Prayer ⭐⭐⭐⭐ One of my first full-fledged listens to a Madonna album. I think outside of this, I’ve only ever listened to Ray of Light. I like Madonna. I think she’s got some pretty iconic songs, and she herself is an icon. What I found interesting here is that the singles are probably some of the weakest songs on the album for me. Songs like Cherish and Oh Father have a little bit of that Disney-style strings, fantastical kind of sound to them that I just wasn’t really into as much. And then something like Express Yourself, even though it’s a super positive song, I think she’s got better tunes in the same vein. Things like Holiday and Into the Groove, I prefer those tunes to this one. But it’s a fairly eye opening listen, as someone who’s only familiar with her singles, I think the deeper cuts are the better tracks here. Spanish Eyes, which is probably my favourite song on the album, is absolutely gorgeous. Till Death Do Us Part is a really interesting tune with a great little slide guitar bit in it. There’s a smorgasbord of styles on this album. All these strange little choices for pop music keep popping in. The drum machine work is phenomenal. I mean, that’s the star of the show for me, more so than Madonna herself. I just love the sound of the drums on this album. They’re pumping, they’re really well used, there are great effects on them. I just love it. And then you have Prince and Madonna’s Love Song, which is kind of a Sign o’ the Times-era Prince song. What I love about Prince is that he’s able to squeeze such amazing pop sounds out of so little. That song is basically just a drum machine, a little guitar lick here and there, and then the vocal melodies do all the work. These intricate, intertwining vocal melodies between him and Madonna are just phenomenal. I love that song. As a big fan of Sign o’ the Times, it was so cool to hear essentially another Sign o’ the Times song. And then you’ve got Like a Prayer, which is almost the antithesis of Love Song. Whereas Love Song is so minimal, Like a Prayer is bombastic, extravagant and huge. It is literally a monumental song. And it’s so cleverly written and unconventional for a major pop single with many distinctive parts. It’s such a powerful piece of music. So clever, and what an opening track to have on an album. Madonna herself is great throughout. Lots of great lyrics and great vocals. I loved it. Really, really happy with this one. I’m sure there’s more Madonna on the list, and she’s not the type of artist I’d ever usually listen to. She’s not my style. So it’s great to have these opportunities to give myself an excuse to listen to this stuff. Similar to Prince, I wasn’t a fan of Prince before the 1001 Albums Generator. But I sure as hell am now.
Dope
Before listening to the album, I saw the average review score and thought it was surprisingly low given Madonna's status in the pop world and how much of a banger Like a Prayer (the song) is. Having now listened to it, I understand completely. Most of this is disposable. It isn't a bad record, but it is mostly a forgettable one, which is probably a bigger surprise. I do like a few songs though, such as Like a Prayer and Til Death Do Us Part. Also honourable mention to Act Of Contrition which is weird enough to at least be interesting.
How do I have none recollection of Madonna and Prince ever doing a song together?
Llegamos al miércoles con éste mostrón de mujer. Frente a esta artista, que es como una semidiosa, cabe la pregunta de qué se puede decir de nuevo, como ha pasado con varias y varios de éste reto. Qué opinar de distinto sobre esta tipa. Quizás, reafirmar lo que ya se sabe: que es un genia. Es la primera vez que voy a escuchar un disco completo de ella. Conozco decenas de singles pero nunca escuché uno de sus discos y suena muy bien de princicipio a fin, con sus ecos llegando a la actualidad. Muchas gracias y hasta mañana
Liked this a lot more than Ray of Light, like by a mile. The title track is a bop, and admittedly I did not know that the song with that melody I had heard before was Like a Prayer. There were some tracks on here that felt just like kinda generic pop that went on longer than they needed to, but there was also some interesting variation. The second half of the album was certainly more interesting than what I had come to expect from Madonna.
Better than the previous Madonna album but still not really my thing. Like a prayer was the best song I've heard through these two albums but much of the album dragged for me. I appreciate what she's doing with this as it was probably very unique at the time but it just wasn't very enjoyable imo
The title track is a classic, obviously. That choir coming in behind Madonna still sounds huge, and there’s a reason the song has survived as long as it has. “Pray for Spanish Eyes” was the other song I actually liked. The castanets and mariachi-style trumpets gave it a completely different sound from the rest of the album, and Madonna’s voice gets surprisingly raw during the choruses. That song had some personality that I thought most of the album was missing. Outside of the title track and “Spanish Eyes,” I was pretty much ready for this thing to be over. There’s a lot of late 80s pop production here that does absolutely nothing for me, and even when the album tries to get more serious, I wasn’t particularly interested in the songs themselves. So I give one star a piece for the songs I liked here.
iconic, this is from my era and I like it.
3 - decent
I enjoyed it more than I thought. I’m just not that into pop but it was fun. I loved hearing Prince and his iconic guitar licks. 3
Did I think I was going to enjoy a Madonna album? Not really? Did I enjoy a Madonna album? Surprisingly, yes. Going in, I’d only heard the title track of the album and didn’t really know how interested I would be in listening to a whole album of Madonna, but after listening to it, I’ve definitely come to appreciate Madonna as an artist. The main draw of the album is the fact that the songs don’t just feel like sugary pop hits, but instead, they actually feel like an artistic expression by Madonna. This is shown in the variety of different styles used throughout the album, such as the funk style Love Song, my first standout track, which is a duet with Prince, who does really add to this track, being able to add an R&B touch to the song and rivaling Madonna’s range with his own falsetto vocals. The song Spanish Eyes, with its unique percussion and emotive guitar playing.The title track would have to be my second standout, even though it is a more straightforward pop song, it still feels like it has substance, with Madonna’s vocals being the star of the show overtop of a catchy synth riff. Surprisingly, Madonna’s songwriting is another reason why the album stands out. Her attempt to shed the teen appeal of her previous albums in order to write more meaningful songs pays off on this album. Especially with two ballads contemplating her relationship with her parents, Promise to Try and Oh Father, my last two standouts. Both of these songs are emotional peaks on the album, especially the former, which deals with the death of Madonna’s mother when she was young. The album shows Madonna’s development from the earlier points in her career, and honestly, most of the songs are just fun to listen to. Dear Jessie, especially, it may be kind of silly, but it’s a fun kind of silly. Overall, a surprisingly enjoyable album for me to listen to. Now, I’m gonna say a prayer and hope I get another good album.
First time listening to this album (and the original versions of these tracks, apparently). I'm feeling mixed about this, overall. On the positive, this was comparatively a much easier listen than most of the albums on this list. Odd versions aside, the first four singles are solid. And like her or hate her, Madonna HAS influenced an entire segment of the music industry (this album playing no small part in that). However, I can't really say I loved it. Outside those first four singles, the only track that grabbed my attention was 'Love Song', and that was more because of its Prince vibe than Madonna's contributions. In fact, if I'm being totally honest, this album felt like it had quite a lot of filler. Even though it too has a few throwaway tracks, 'True Blue' would have been a stronger entry for this list (it's got a better substance ratio, at any rate).
Besides the hits this was rather lackluster. The album as a whole gave me the impression that Madonna was confused when making this album. Which I guess tracks.
Madonna genuinely deserves her reputation and thats about all I've got to say about that.
8/10 Classic Fav song: till death do us part
Kinda lost some of its energy in the later tracks. Starts off bangin.
I mean she became a megastar. She’s not the greatest singer or dancer but she knows what constitutes a pop song. She pushed every edge it was possible to push while still remaining a megastar. This album is a big part of it. Not quite all killer no filler: those singles though. They are magnificent. After this she was to stay relevant for far longer than even a major career could suggest. And she’s still active. That Dolly Parton did a lot of similar Achievements about 3-5 years before Madonna diminishes neither woman.
Great reminder that in the 80s and 90s all we heard was Madonna for a while. She sure works hard. Fame is a Monster. She reinvented more times than David Bowie, and she wont stop. She has just done a Kylie colab. Never retire, I say, and that goes for us all. This album - some hits. the rest was okay, but the sound was so TINNY, even on my big speakers. it still sounds like it playing an 80s boombox / $99 plastic stereo with "detachable speakers. Essential? hmmm
Great to go back and listen to. It's lost none of its potency, the production is a tad late 80's but not in an way that dates it. I forgot that this is the record where she intersects with Prince, they were made for each other. The songwriting is fantastic, she knew how to craft a tune, and hats off to Bray for the collaboration. It was exciting then and it is still exciting, this is a once in a generation talent, she is up there with Aretha in terms of the great female artists of the 20th century. you know the songs, they speak for themselves, put it on to enjoy life.
“My first couple of albums I would say came from the little girl in me, who is interested only in having people like me, in being entertaining and charming and frivolous and sweet,” Madonna told Interview in May 1989. “And this new one is the adult side of me, which is concerned with being brutally honest.” Madonna was one of the world's biggest pop stars in the 80s, but this showed that she was one of the world's greatest (ever) pop _artists_. I remember very serious academic debate about this time as to whether Madonna was an admittedly successful commercial pop-fluff performer (and a danger to the feminist cause) or whether she was an important artist exercising powerful female agency. While I don't think everything Madonna has ever tried worked or that it was always consistent with feminist thinking, her long and astoundingly successful career is singular, especially working in the pop/dance genre, obsessed as it is with youth and novelty. She is now over forty years into her career and still releasing charting singles and albums that demand critical attention. And this is the album where she really starts to flex what she can really do. This album as the watershed that showed Madonna's ambitions to be an important artist (working in the pop genre). It is smart and provocative and catchy and offensive and charming and emotionally vulnerable and honest and polished and imperfect and full of artifice, and you can dance to it. It is full of controversies, complexities and contradictions and some really banging singles. She told The New York Times in 1989, “What I do is total commercialism, but it’s also art.” But not gratuitously or unapproachably arty. Generally, I think the best way to approach Madonna is via her extensive catalogue of amazing singles (38 US Top 10 singles and 50 US Hot Dance chart #1s. Fifty!) rather than albums, but this one stands up as a great listen. Today I learned how much Prince played on the record, with uncredited playing on four songs, on top of the peak-80s Prince collaboration 'Love Song'. Now that I know, it is obviously Prince playing the lead on 'Act of Contrition', and I can't believe I hadn't picked it prior. Hard to believe this was only her fourth album - she is so confidently in charge. I love the cover art flex on the Rolling Stones' Sticky Fingers.
Me gusta Madonna, de verdad que si, pero creo que soy más fan de sus discos más modernos. Tampoco tengo a Like a Prayer entre mis canciones favoritas de ella, es buena pero a mi no me encanta. El único hit de este álbum no me gusta así que eso no me dejó mucha esperanza. Vaya, no es horrendo pero me duerme.
Great pop music, not really my thing. I was surprised that most of the tracks are 5 minutes long or more. For me, it felt like the poppier tracks outstayed their welcome a bit and could have been shorter. But clearly a lot of people disagree with me!
queen
Just did nothing for me. Maybe a 2 is harsh but I'm not giving it another listen so
Ein großartiges Pop Album. Wer in den 80ern Musik gehört hat, kennt einen Großteil der Lieder. Einfach ein großes Werk. 5/5
The only song on here that I love, always have, is Dear Jessie. The bigger singles I can take or leave and I'm not really bothered about the rest.
Some I loved, some just meh
More than just a great pop album; Madonna at her peak, songs have way more depth to them than regular pop divas. Still sounds fresh today.
You can't deny how massive this record is, and listening to it now reminds me exactly why Madonna is the Queen of Pop. The production is spot on, especially with those funky Prince-inspired guitar parts. The best tracks are legendary, "Like a Prayer", "Express Yourself", and "Cherish" are basically the blueprints for late '80s pop. Madonna had the (Blond) Ambition, and the 3 aforementioned singles are absolute monsters, but the rest kind of brings the overall shine down. I appreciate the deeper, more vulnerable stuff like "Oh Father", but a lot of the other tracks just feel like dated, over-produced filler that kills the vibe.
Even Prince could not save you, sounds basic. But maybe this was amazing and groundbreaking at the time.
I've probably been more harsh on Madonna over the years than I needed to be. It came from a place of ignorance and I regret it. Like A Prayer is a perfectly fine pop record. There are plenty of hooks and ear-worms, but it doesn't sound as trite as a lot of pop tends to. Enjoyable to listen to, but I don't think I'll return to this. It's probably essential, but I could take it or leave it.
Not a fan of Madonna but this sounds incredible. The Christian feel in the production is soothing to the ears.
This is a good one by her. I still think that there were way better pop queens in that same time period though. Anyway, this album should be on here, but at the same time, a Whitney Houston record should be on this list but there isn't one. I never liked that much music from Madonna, so this is pretty ok but that's about it for me.
better than I thought! got really weird and odd at times, have to not dismiss madonna and listen more
4/10 - gonna be honest, apart from Like a Prayer, there's not much of note here. It's downhill from there as that is the opening song (never open with your best unless the rest of your album can match...)
Manufactured corporate garbage. Changed music, but in the worst way possible. The musical equivalent of McDonalds.
Crazy hearing in a single album some tracks that feel very modern and some that feel extremely dated. At the same time, I've heard good things about Confessions II, so maybe this gets me to look into her catalog.
Bouncing between 3 and 4 on this one. Some songs are classics, some are annoying. It's interesting now, in the age of autocomplete, to hear a pop star reaching to hit a note.
Like a Prayer remains a masterwork because its provocative nature was matched by top-tier songwriting and musicianship. It proved that pop music could carry immense emotional weight without sacrificing its ability to dominate the charts.
Very decent, varied pop album
It’s okay. I don’t see how this record stands out amongst her catalog and I think you have to have some nostalgia for the record and time it came out to consider it any more than a solid pop album.
Good 80s pop. Every song is catchy as hell, and quite a few of them stand out as "more". Pretty cool, but some people won't care because it's "pop music" I guess.
Rather interesting and better than I expected.
1.5
Figured she’d pop up eventually. I’ve heard way more Madonna than I’d like to, thanks to coworkers that liked her back in my record store days. She is by far the least talented person ever to become an “icon”, imho. I’ll leave it at that.
Some artists are built for Greatest Hits and some make great albums. Madonna is definitely one that just makes hits. Well at least she did at one time. This album is fine, but its just some big hits and a bunch of other songs that will be forgotten. This album came out, that summer between junior high and high school for me, so I remember the videos on MTV very well, even though they were overplayed. The song was Prince was a surprise, as I have never listened to this whole album. Will never listen again.
Why are there so many Madonna albums on this list? This is 3 for me and the only one so far I feel like actually belongs here. Like A Prayer, Express Yourself, and Love Song (thanks to Prince) are great, the rest is questionable. I guess I'm not much of a Madonna fan but this is super dated and not in a good way. It's lightyears ahead of the more recent albums I've had from her though. It kind of makes me wonder if she got so popular because of her persona rather than the music she made. There are some good parts on this album and I can totally see why it was so popular in 1989 but it just doesn't hold up. Important? Yes. Enjoyable now? No. 2.5/5 but rounding down.
Iconic
Hey that sounds like the 80s!
This might not have been the best one for me, but, I can't argue that it's not a great example of Madonna.
Not my favorite album by Madonna, (that would probably be TRUE BLUE followed closely by LIKE A VIRGIN), but this album certainly was influential for the late 80s and most of the 90s. Many of the pop acts that would rise in the following decades would cite Madonna's career and her albums from 1982's MADONNA right up to 1995's FROZEN for inspiring them to pursue being a dance driven vocal pop star. Faves: "Like a Prayer", "Express Yourself", "Cherish", and "Oh Father"
Too long. Only listenable in spurts.
Top tracks: Like A Prayer, Love Song, Oh Father, Cherish, Express Yourself Interesting tracks: Dear Jessie (so psychedelic and kitsch?), Act of Contrition Iconic album that continues to influence popular music. Incredible music videos, a piece of art, but not timeless. The synths, choirs and strings feel dated, they're so connected to the sound of the 80s and make me feel dusty. Visions of hairspray and tutti-frutti 80s powder compacts from listening. Lyrics are great, songs are often 2 minutes too long. What a creative pop album. What do you mean it's not in the computer?! Because of all these reasons, while I won't listen to this in full again, it can't be lower than a 4.
Probably not the thing that I would listen to, but a few iconic songs I heard on that album.
3.6
All time classics
El álbum "esta bien", no encuentro malas canciones, pero las canciones no son increíbles ni tampoco buenas, simplemente están bien. Es un álbum más comercial de los 80's.
Probably closer to a 3.5, but overall a good listen with a good variance between songs.
Solid but doesn't blow my mind, there are a lot better Madonna albums than this to me.
The Queen of Pop. One of my favourite songs of all time Like A Prayer and then one of my favourite Madonna songs Cherish. I had never heard Spanish Eyes before and I love what she does with her voice in that one. She's amazing. Super cheesy, but I can't help but love it.
This is the first of 3 Madonna albums I have rolled for this project. It’s the first of 3 chronologically as well, which is always something I enjoy happening by chance. Upon rolling this album today, a few things quickly, and surprisingly stood out to me before I even started listening to the album. The first thing is that I know Madonna is incredibly popular even today. The second, is that all 3 of her albums on the site are rated significantly below average. The third, is that I personally only know one Madonna song that I can name by heart, and ironically it’s the title track, “Like A Prayer”. The fourth and final thing I noticed is that I literally only know that song because it was used in the third Deadpool movie, 2024’s Deadpool & Wolverine. To be fair, it was used in the funniest possible moment, as the titular characters are massacring an army of Deadpool’s in the street. The juxtaposition of Madonna and the visceral fight scene works very well. It’s a funny, memorable scene. Regardless, it’s the only reason I know a Madonna song. So now I have to dive into why she’s as popular as she is, but I don’t know any of her music, and the site doesn’t particularly like her for whatever reason. It’s all a tad strange, but I’ve got 3 albums to decide if I like her or not. What did I personally think of Like A Prayer?? Let’s just get the favorite out of the way first. It’s “Like A Prayer”. I can’t not associate that song with Deadpool. That’s just going to be in my head forever, permanently linked with that movie. This was my first time listening to it in full, and there’s a reason it was the opener as well as the title track. It’s the best, and unquestionably my favorite song on the album. Even after listening to the album in full, I’m quite confused why it’s rated below average. I’ll just come out and say it. It’s really good. Madonna is the Queen of Pop, and she paved the way for a metric ton of successful musicians, most of which have credited her directly. Is this a case of people thanking her for what she did, but preferring what came after?? I don’t know, and I’m confused. None of these songs blew me away necessarily, but they’re all easy to listen to, and I wouldn’t even really skip any. They’re all pretty good, save for some of the ballads like “Promise to Try”, which aren’t really my thing. Fantastic song for sure, just not quite my tempo or vibe. Not the biggest fan of softer songs in general, but I can still see how good they are in general. “Dear Jessie” is unrelentingly goofy. Maybe I’d skip that one actually. But it’s different and it stands out. She tries a lot of things on this album. Most of them work, and even the things that don’t are at least interesting enough to talk about. Madonna has a hypnotic, enticing voice, and the BPM of a lot of these songs is fast paced, and for a Pop album, it’s far from ever being boring, even on the pretty ballads. If anything, I was pleasantly surprised by this one. It’s a mid to high 3. Call it a 3.75 out of 5. I’m very interested to hear the other 2 albums to see how some of her later stuff turned out. Will it be better, worse, or more of the same. If it’s the first or third option, I’ll likely enjoy it as much or more than this one. But as it stands, you have to respect and give major props to the Queen, and this was a very fun listen. Easy to write about, and I had a lot to say about it, which is generally the mark of a great album. Occasionally the reverse is true though. It’s a bell curve, really. But this one was really good and I had a good time with it. Pop albums need to be fun. You need to be able to dance to them. This was fun!! Great first impression by the Queen of Pop. Looking forward to hearing more. As for why it’s so low rated, maybe people just hate Pop music for some reason. If that’s the case, people need to lighten up and try dancing a little bit. This album was a good time from top to bottom. I get the hype.
Madonna is one of those polarizing artists you either love or hate. I happen to love her, even though I don't often listen to her music. This album is definitely of the 80's and I love that Prince blessed it with his touch. There are so many good songs on this one it's hard to pick a favorite, but on this listen, Keep It Together was the standout.
Great
Okay. I did it. I listened to every song on this musical abomination. I will never again subject my ears and intellect on this monumental p.o.s. release. Just because it sells a bajillion units does not make it worthy of this list, a fucking travisty. It rivals the ABBA shite. It deserves no stars, but that's not possible: 1 "never again" star.
pas sûr que l’église ait aimé cet album
12 year old me from 1989 loved this album, and it still holds up pretty well. I had forgotten about Love song, an awesome track!
I thought this was fun! Like a Prayer is a really good song. Best Song: Like a Prayer Rating: 7/10 Stars: 4
Well, this is fitting! Madonna just released her newest album a week ago, so it's pretty cool that I get to talk about one of her older albums now! Now, I haven't listened to Confessions II, or the first one, for that matter, but I have now heard her 1989 album, Like a Prayer. How do I feel about it? I liked it! It's been over 2 years since my last Madonna album, so I think her energy just appeals to me more now than it did in those first few months of the album project. Of course, this is my first album of hers that I've heard from the 80s, the decade that most would primarily associate Madonna with, so I guess one could call this her prime era. Although, I have seen a lot of praise for Ray of Light, so I think I ought to re-listen to that one soon. For now, we have Like a Prayer to talk about, and it's got some great stuff to it. The title track is a great opener. It's got some excellent energy and I really like the background choir vocals. Great song. "Express Yourself" is really good too. That one has a nice message as well, so that's nice. Madonna's got a good voice on this album and I think the production is just 80s enough to feel like an 80s album but also a little forward-thinking in some places. "Act of Contrition" is a pretty weird closer, but I kind of respect Madonna for ending an album in such an unconventional way. Surprisingly, despite the 50 minute runtime, I wasn't particularly tired by the end of the album. I think I "get" Madonna now. She has definitely earned her place on the great pedestal of pop artists. This isn't my favorite album ever, but it's a pretty good showing of talent all throughout. I like it. 4/5.
Lots of bangers but a few misses. Also the production tends to feel a bit dated
I’m glad I was able to shore up on my Madonna knowledge before the World Cup halftime show.there were a few good songs, rest was fine. Last song was funny
Like a prayer is phenomenal. There are no bad songs on this album. I think I might just be placebod into liking this album because I know its Madonna and its pop. Still a good album. 4.5/5
Pretty overrated imo
jamen altså. ikonisk pop girlie album. nogle elementer (de trommer...) er lidt datede, men samlet set lyder det pisse godt
Kan mærke at den her kommer højt op på vores Controversial liste! Det var Not For Me™, sangene fungerede bare ikke rigtig for mig
So many bangers. Some things stick out in a bad way, but super solid.
Some good grooves
its not too bad but its nothing special
This was an ok listen, I’m not a huge pop fan but this was an ok, pretty bold to open your album with a song about sucking dick
The hits are great! The rest is... Ok
Madonna – Like a Prayer is a surprisingly rich and ambitious pop album. I expected some iconic singles, but I was impressed by how much is going on throughout the record — gospel influences, funk, rock guitars, big choruses and very personal songwriting. Not every track hit me equally, but as an album it feels bold, varied and much deeper than I expected.
- Credit where credit is due: this album had me engaged from start to finish. - While I may prefer her faster stuff, Madonna keeps her slow tracks engaging, too -- the amount of rhythmic and melodic diversity in each track combined with enough pop structure to get you in a set groove is honestly impressive. - "Dear Jessie" is a beautiful track.
Admittedly I've not explored much of Madonna's music beyond the well-known singles. So I was surprised and impressed by the depth of this one, both the songwriting and breadth of pop styles throughout this album.
No sé si decir: está bueno el disco pero es madonna, o decir: es madonna pero está bueno el disco
Oof. I didn't listen to her in the 80s when she was popular but I expected that her music would hold up. Maybe this is the wrong album for that. It came out in 1989 past her mid-80s peak of hits (or so I remember it anyway). The beats are just so 80s. :) Way too bouncy and generic. She does have a great voice, but it comes off a bit thin with the tinny music. There is one song, though, called Love Song, written by Prince, that he sings on, but is uncredited. That was a nice treat. I'll never listen to this again. 2 stars.
Ok album. I've always been fairly mixed on Madonna. The hits are the hits, the others are ballady or not as interesting. One interesting stand out though was Till Death Do Us Part. Just a really interesting guitar/keyboard thing going on there. There are times on Madonna songs where she uses incredibly catchy and interesting progressions. Those are few and far between though
Didn't finish :(
Good one time listen
Still cannot stand Madonna. Just instantly annoys me. Don't think I’ll ever be a fan. But, begrudgingly, this record is not 100% bad. Some tracks are abysmal, but I did find myself tapping along at times.
# Album Name: Like a Prayer # Artist: Madonna # Rating: 5/5 # Comments: What a banger. So many good tunes on this album. # Top Tunes: Most of the album # Would I listen to it again? Yes
skip
Fun, breezy. Feels like it was forever ago but also still fresh
06/25 Pretty good. Can't hear the title track without thinking of Deadpool
A pretty consistent record with personal lyrics and diverse musical styles. You can hear Prince's hand in this and that's not a bad thing. Sometimes I am even reminded of Phil Collins's middle 80s work.
Not one of her best albums. Three stars...
Good album but nothing my thing.
10000000 out of 10 god.save.madonna.
George Michael yesterday Madonna today thats a lot of keyboards and programmed drums. There are some excellent pop moments on here, delivered with just the right amount of drama and flare. It’s so funny to hear “Love Song” for the first time. It’s so easy to tell RIGHT away thats a Prince song. Then he starts singing too! The ultimate bit of humor is when she starts speaking French momentarily and Prince audibly goes “wut?” I think “Till Death Do Us Part” is a bit ahead of its time. It’s very sped-up and tight with lots of syncopated instrumentation. I hear bits of what would become y2k ballads in how this song is written. But the best song BY FAR is “Dear Jessie”. Oozing whimsy and sincerity, it’s a candy sweet chorus hook that doesn’t need drums to stay in your head. File under the subcategory “albums that surely helped birth vaporwave” strong 3/5, maybe 4/5
2 out of 5. Definitely a product of it's time. Never listened to one of her albums before and probably won't again.
Poppy album that wasn’t too bad. Liked a few songs, but most of it was fairly generic pop music to me. 3/5
1989 was a hell of a time to be alive—especially if you were thirteen and soaking in pop culture like a sponge. It may have been the peak of my cultural awareness as both a kid and an American. The theaters were packed with Back to the Future Part II, Batman, and Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, while the radio belonged to Madonna, Prince, Janet Jackson, Fine Young Cannibals, Phil Collins, and Tom Petty. It felt like culture was firing on all cylinders. At thirteen, I didn’t fully understand the collision of spiritual devotion and sensual desire in the title track of Like a Prayer, but even then it was obvious Madonna knew exactly what she was doing—crafting a perfect pop song while setting off every parental alarm bell imaginable with the music video. That didn’t stop me from sneaking in viewings on MTV whenever my parents were gone. Despite how unavoidable Madonna was at the time, she barely existed in my household, so I never sat down with the full album until now. And honestly, it was a fun listen. I wouldn’t put it on the same groundbreaking level as Rhythm Nation 1814, but Like a Prayer still sounds like a pop icon at full strength—confident, provocative, and fully aware of the power she had.
This an album of highs and lows. The big hits are pop staples and well done, but the rest are just average. Using two producers with disparate styles really fractured the cohesion and flow. Love Song was really unnecessary and just ended up being another arrogant Prince song rather than a Madonna song. Oh Father however, was an enjoyable soundtrack-esque song with a big "wall of sound". None of the filler songs are awful, but they just don't hit for me as I would have expected.
I can see why it’s so well regarded with how influential it was but I didn’t enjoy it too much. I’m sure with repeat listens in the future it will catch me in a better mood. Rating: 2.4
Over rated, over hyped twat waffle of the century. 1
insane pop production absolutely never lets off on this one. Tons of fun little sounds that really scratch an itch for me. Absolute blast, can't believe I've never listened through before.
Madonna is iconic but outside like a prayer...
Apart from a couple of hits, this album is really bad. Extremely.
Probably more than it deserves …an extra Star for the 25 yr old me
The big singles are now standards, and deserve to be. The rest of the album doesn’t really compare - it’s very uneven, and whilst there is some really good stuff (Spanish Eyes in particular is very strong) everything just tends to hang around a minute too long. It’s good enough.
no le tenía mucha fe pero me gustó
Clásico del pop pero no de mi gusto
Love Song with Prince was fun
Like a Prayer was released in 1989 and obviously has feelers out for what could be the next big sound in the 90s. As such, it feels a bit disjointed and lacks cohesion. It also leads to peaks and valleys when those feelers land, and more frequently, don't. Prince's involvement is heard and felt but not really necessary.
Now this album takes me back to my early childhood. I LOVED Like a Prayer and it is still a solid bop. I also enjoy Cherish and had it stuck in my head for the rest of the day. Solid album. Weird ending!
The hits are known and loved. Was kind of hoping I'd find a deep cut that I could really get into, but they're not here (not even the one with Prince, which is kind of a dud).
Loved this one much more than I expected tbh. Introspective songwriting is the way to go I'd say in general for singer-songwriters. Madonna really strong on here. Yes my vinyl copy still smelled like patchouli.
Wasn't a big M fan in the 80s .. I appreciate the music but it still doesn't do that much for me.
3.2/5 Favorite Songs: Like a Prayer Express Yourself Till Death Do Us Part Cherish Keep It Together
80 singles filling the album, big fan
Decent 3
more catchy than I thought and I knew more songs like "Express Yourself", not sure how. But its just a typical pop album, not bad or good. I am in-different! 2.5 round to 3, cause it was better than I thought
Title track and cherish are bangers, the rest is just filler.
Baby it's Madonna. Gold. Platinum. Diamond. Give her everything. She's camp, she's fun, she's fresh, she's introspective, she's visionary, she's cunt, she's mother, she's daughter, she's boots, she's everything. Without Madonna there would be nothing. And god this album cover is sooooo chic. God she's stunning. I'm too songs in but I'm so charmed. It's such a capsule of its time. I love those 80s synths and sounds in the back. God that vintage American obsession with seeming European and elevated. I would've been so good at the 80s. I say that and there's no way I would've but by Madonna I would've tried. This is not a love song. Prince hello?? My god this is actually insane. I would've been in love with Madonna if I was around back then definitely. I like how dynamic it is. She really is insane. Oh hello?? Experimental last track oh Madonna you've birthed the genre. Favourite: Love Song/Keep It Together Least favourite: Express Yourself
This really did nothing for me. The title track is good, but the rest of the album is just average. I've never really understood why Madonna was so big, not that she is bad, it's just nothing I've heard from her has ever wowed me. This is also one of the most 80s sounding albums to a fault. I love the 80s, but this is a little much at times Mid 3.
QUE TEMON LIKE a prayer, el resto meh, nada del otro mudno, la q hablan en español tambien algo buena la bata
It’s some of the best pop music the 80’s had to offer. I think my favorite thing about this album is the uniqueness of most of the tracks especially the baroque pop songs near the back half of the record. I do think some songs go on a little too long for with not a lot going on to warrant them to go so long but other than that it’s a very beautiful LP. Fav tracks: Like a prayer, Love song, till death do us part, cherish, and dear Jessie
I mean, it's Madonna, who was never really my jam, but is unquestionably someone who we should all listen to at least once in our lives. This one's as good as any. Can be self-indulgent, but can also rise to the absolute sublime beauty of "Like a Prayer."
Standouts Like a Prayer Keep it Together
Madonna was good in the eighties but her music hasn't aged well.
Ok I understand why she’s so famous now. I imagine this had and still has a chokehold on the people when she dropped this. Whole album is outstanding
Classic
Not Madonna’s strongest, but still a solid 4. She ain’t no vocalist but i can hear influence to at least 3 modern pop singers in only this album so
A lot of ideas that weren't fully developed plus a way too long runtime. I didn't have a fun time listening.
This album represented a push back into the spotlight for Madonna. I personally preferred the earlier material, but I'm biased as I was DJing in clubs at the time and her early records were a breath of fresh air. There was a lot of controversy over the "Like a Prayer" music video, which I think was absolutely intentional, and brilliant... I don't think this record makes nearly that big of an impression without that video. Speaking of which, I think one could argue that Madonna fits firmly into a group of artists that really caught fire because of MTV. I can't listen to her records without images from the videos popping into my brain.
I’m not deaf I can hear this is well made and well written. The production is precise and everything has a sharp metallic sheen. The singles are particularly well made, and the title track has a wonderful energy that hasn’t diminished after 40 years but it just doesn’t do for me quite enough
Madonna is madonna but i am not rlly into pop.
It started out so strong, the first two songs are amazing, but then - just like any mid-tier generic 80s, 90s album.
I was surprised how boring this album is, aside from two songs.
Like a Prayer has to be top 5 best pop songs surely! Decent run of songs up to Cherish. Enjoyed the funkiness of Keep It Together.
Beyond like a prayer is they any need. Unexpected prince gave it a 2
Queen of pop for a reason! Love ❤️ madge me. Like MJ shes always been a part of my life with 3 sisters always playing her growing up. Like a prayer and express yourself is how you start an album! Killer songs on here know doubt, but gotta say there is a few meh filler songs too. Cherish is lovely and oh father is a forgotten madonna classic, but why the fuck is dear jessie on here it sticks out like a sore thumb and doesn't suit the album at all.Anyway yeah madonna is class!
Like a Prayer is a good start. Thought 2nd song was the England football song World In Motion. Just ripped it off apparently. If its the other way round Im surprised Madonna didnt sue... 3rd song features Prince. The Cyndi Lauper album that was on here had him on too. Got a lot to answer for has ol' Princy Chops 1 song doesnt make an album. Stop with the nonsense.
Love Madonna but she’s a greatest hits woman that’s all you need
Fabulous. Like A Prayer is one of the best pop songs ever, with an iconic video. Doesn’t quite reach a 5 because there are a couple of weaker tracks and the Prince song doesn’t really fit, however I have listened to this about 5 times today and may have to revisit The Immaculate Collection
I've loved this since I was a kid, but it sure hits harder when you're an adult who actually understands the content. There's some heavy shit on here! Promise to Try still makes me tear up, and Til Death... is chilling underneath the sunny sound. I remember not liking Love Song back then because I didn't like Prince's voice - forgive me, I was a child, and I've learned the error of my ways. Is the production dated in some songs? Yes. But the hits are massive and the deep cuts are, well, deep. Good job, Madge.
Never listened. Expectations: Low - Verdict: Alright - The title track is a classic pop song. Express Yourself is fine. You can hear Prince all over Love Song even before you hear his voice. Most songs just sound a bit bland to me. Keep It Together is alright.
Madonna – Like a Prayer (1989) This was a great listen and a fantastic introduction to Madonna's craft, marking my first time diving into one of her full-length projects. You can clearly hear her maturity as an artist here; the album makes a genuinely successful attempt at being deeply introspective without abandoning the core identity of what made Madonna who she is. While the back half of the record wasn't quite as engaging as the first half, it was still a decent experience. The title track, "Like a Prayer," was an immediate standout. I recognized it right away from the massive choir version used on the Deadpool & Wolverine soundtrack. I also truly connected with "Promise to Try," which features incredible lyricism and serves as an absolute highlight for me. Prince's influence on "Love Song" was another great element that distinctly stood out. As for the other tracks, "Express Yourself" and "Till Death Do Us Part" on the front half, along with "Cherish" and "Oh Father", the sole track on the back half that was good enough to pull me in—were all strong enough to warrant plenty of future revisits. It lands a very solid 4/5.
Pretty much exactly what I expected a Madonna album to sound like. Some hits/bangers, some weird songs and some ballads. The guitars on the last track surprised me. Other than that, nothing to write home about.
It’s not bad but also doesn’t do much for me. I wouldn’t have thought like a prayer will be a big hit. And other tracks are even worse.
having only heard of 'Like A Virgin' before listening, this album honestly blew me away. i didn't grow up with Madonna, I think the most exposure i had to her was her song 'Hung Up' in 2005, but overall i haven't done much listening. the thing about Madonna is that everyone knows her. shes one of the most famous people on the planet, and while maybe her popularity declined a bit with millennials and beyond, shes still freakin Madonna. this album, honestly, stands a great test of time. incredible guitar riffs, funky beats, pure raw emotion, this album really has it all. the only song i really disliked was Dear Jessie, but the roll into Dear Father is super beautiful. probably a 9/10 album, but ima bump it up to a 5. this feels worthy. all of the articles about this album discuss how much of a cultural phenomenon this was. lets hear it for Madonna
Forgot to rate this after I listened to it a few days ago, but this album being all over the place was the main thing I remember. There are a couple great songs, with Like A Prayer being an all-time classic, but there are also some really strange tracks as well. Even the song with Prince feels totally out of place. I’d listen to the hits and that’s about it.
This album has some high highs and low lows. Overall it's mostly positive. Madonna has cemented herself as a pop icon for a reason. It's unfortunate that "Like a Prayer" is the clear standout and the rest of the album never reaches that height again.
iconic, dancy, catchy, fun, sad, emotional, 'introspective', poppy, fantastical, dreamy?, produced, of its time. idk it's interesting listening now because i'm aware of the tiktok sound trends, memes, and what madonna is today. wonder what the listening / enjoying experience was in 1989. fave songs probably like a prayer, cherish, and oh father. this is like a 3.85 for me bc idk if the introspection is real or for the records to sell and i think its a mix of both.
Good album
soooo fun. really enjoyed myself -- there are a lot of bangers on here besides the famous ones. there are also some that drown in 80s shmaltz, but overall the experience was net positive.
Highlights: Like A Prayer, Express Yourself. In a nutshell: "no choice, your voice will take me there..." A great way to open an album- title track (iconic. The gospel choir makes it so much then Express Yourself (an anthem for hyping up a woman who feels "unlucky in love"). It gets inconsistent from track three. The lyrics are tender or completely sappy. Many songs didn't need another chorus tacked onto the end. The album needed two more upbeat tracks to make it less of a downer, in my opinion anyway. Overall: 4/10
Fine. Really just not my thing but not bad.
pure 80’s joy
Favorite Track: Like A Prayer
6/10 Algunas partes buenas y otras no me llamo mucho la atención
The bangers are great the rest a bit meh
Always enjoy a little Madonna!
I love old Madonna music
Not too bad, a bit dated
I always thought she only did pop dance songs. Guess there's more to her.
Occasional good moments, but pretty much just downhill after the first song. Standout song: Like a prayer
I did not care for this not finish it. House music at a middle school slumber party
Maybe a 7/10
Entre 3 et 4 mais des sons trop en dessous. Les singles pris à part sont par contre exceptionnels. Mais écouter cet album au complet c'est pas pour moi. En tout cas pas aujourd'hui ^^ Les apports de Prince sont sympas
"She was raised catholic, then she became a whore" -Bill Burr
Almost a 5. It is a travesty that Madonna does not have more than 3 albums on this list. This is not her best album but it is still an excellent one. The big singles are great but so is "Spanish Eyes" and "Act of Contrition." Listen to the BANDSPLAIN episodes about Madonna!!
I understand why this was so popular, although Madonna's (if that IS her real name!) voice annoys me. I like some of the stuff on here: "Love Song" with Prince, "Oh Father", and that weirdo at the end "Act of Contrition." Which if you let the album loop around and start again, meshes strangely well with the intro to Like a Prayer. I hate myself for liking this as much as I do. Especially "Express Yourself."
I really enjoyed this. My rating sits somewhere between 3 and 4
A few tracks I enjoyed and were catchy pop songs. The rest I could take or leave. Not as good as Ray of Light.
It’s still a baseline level of good because Madonna knows how to write iconic pop music, but the album very clearly peaks immediately with the title track. Not my favourite of hers by any stretch but still very listenable.
#946. Almost every time I hear some shitass 80s pop song playing that I've never heard before and I look to see who it is, it's Madonna. Why people love this woman is beyond me, I just find it irritating. 2/5: annoying
This album has too many long saccharine ballads, and I’m probably never gonna be impressed by Madonna as a vocalist. Still, I come away from this more impressed by her talents than either of the last two I heard.
No. 194 Never listened to this whole record before. Not gonna lie, it POPS
The first two tracks of this record spring into life with incredible energy and an extremely charming 80s pop vibe to them. The album is sprinkled with a really strong collection of upbeat bangers, and each of them are brilliant. The slight issue I have with the album is that the slower, more whimsical tracks really don't land the same with me. A good few songs here feel drawn out and moody, jarring with the more energetic side of the album. It gets a 7/10 as a result, incredible highs but more than a few middling moments.
This is the quintessential pop album. A decade before the Spice Girls think they invent Girl Power, Madonna is telling girls that we deserve respect, and he'd better shape up his damned act if he! Wants to deserve us! This is my feminist origin story and I will not apologize for it.
Started off with a bang but fizzled out pretty quickly. Not something that I would put on for myself.
Cheesy pop.
This feels very manufactured, which I am certain it was. I am most of the way through this project now and I have noticed that all too many of the female artists tend to be pop groups and singers who don't write their own songs, where their main contribution is basically for their voice to be the lead instrument. That's a problem of the list's, though, not Madonna's. How did I like this album? It's fine. Manufactured as it is, it's still a very listenable product although not to my taste. Very poppy. The songs are all too long, clocking in around 5 minutes each, when they could each be a tighter 3 minutes or 3 minutes 30. It knows what it is and what it wants to do and it achieves it. Standout songs for me (for different reasons) were the hilarious Like a Prayer, then the fun and sweet Dear Jessie, and Oh Father. Does more than other pop artists on this list. Three stars. (Although Act of Contrition is a bizarre note to end on.)
I have this album having bought it at time of release. I really liked the title track and a few others. Promise to Try being the pick of the crop. But it is really an album of its time and I haven’t played it in years. Madonna has released some really significant albums but this ain’t one of them. 3/5 13/5/26
Really solid album, a bunch of bangers on this one
Like a Prayer still slaps, great song.
My rating 3.2 What a weird little album. Such a departure from anything previous. Many songs overshadowed by the controversy surrounding the title song and the subsequent video. Liked the Prince collab.
Everyone, including myself, has heard 'Like A Prayer' a thousand times. So it's a bit hard for it to have any kind of magic left, especially considering Madonna is not exactly my favourite artist. Still, no denying it's a classic. And the star of the album. I found the rest of the album a bit lackluster. It's very 80s sounding pop, with 'Express Yourself' and 'Keep It Together' decent tracks. Sadly, the rest is not that interesting. This might be due to the record sounding dated, but also because textbook pop like this is not where my music taste is at. Still, I think this defnitely deserves a spot on the list. Having at least one 80s pop record on the list feels mandatory, and why not pick Madonna who was one of the most successful artists in this segment.
I was quite excited since Like a Prayer is a great song, but I was left disappointed. This album was such a slog to get through. It felt boring and uninspired. Aside from the title track, I don’t want to listen to any of it again. Strong 2.
Will not listen…I know what I get with Madonna. She will not contribute to her earning even a fraction of a penny.
Solid, fun pop! She was pretty cool!
Definitely some classics on here, though its sound is definitely dated. Title track is a banger ofc and I also really cherish
3/5
aside from a banging lead single I failed to have any surprise or enthralment from this listening experience.
spaced out, was kinda expecting good pop but it was js kinda boring sry
Like a Prayer is excellent 80s music. For me, it feels like Madonna getting the balance right between massive pop songs and something more personal. It sounds confident all the way through. This album has the classics like … Like a Prayer, Express Yourself, Cherish, and Keep It Together, there is a lot to enjoy here. There is even the quirky Love Song featuring Prince, which somehow fits the album’s personality. I think it is a great album to end the 80s with from one of the true pop legends. Five stars.
I though this would be better than it actually is. It was a massive hit at the time, but I found it a bit watered down and pretty generic pop. I thought i would also have a lot more notable songs. It was not terrible but no remarkable either. Promise to Try was probably the standout song. 3 stars
You know what? I assumed I'd be ensnared in the searing hot torment of the seventh circle of hell as I was during Madonna's *ahem* "spiritually elevated" works, but this was a slower descent. Much like a frog in a slowly boiling pot of water, I believed that the declining quality was temporary, and certainly couldn't spell my end. The title track was halfway enjoyable! I could fell my inner teenager attempting to stifle a smile, but I'm old now. I'm closer to have a teenager than I am to being one, so lets let this one slide. Fun track! It was from there that the stench of sulphur first gave itself away. By the time "Spanish Eyes" listlessly rolled around, I was nothing but a pile of melted flesh. What was once my mouth held open in a horrified scream. My features unrecognizable while the Satanic Madonna mocks my demise. Open the gates, for we have more souls to claim. 0.5 HIGHLIGHTS: I gotta go shopping, it's Mephistopheles' birthday! But just what do you get the demon who has everything!?!
I started really enjoying this and thought maybe it would be a 5, but the more I listened the more it didn’t appeal to me the same way. I’ve never been a fan of 80s music but this almost aligned with today’s pop music which I generally enjoy. 3.75
It rips. Honestly idk what they were cooking with in the studio for this, but it sounds immaculate, kinda maximalist at times, super optimistic and hopeful, very groovy. Love how each of these songs really settles into its main hook and keeps building on it or making slight variations throughout.
A pop album with genuine care that went into it.
Fun pop album what can I say
I recognize that people like her and that she’s talented. But I just find her and her music annoying. Hey that’s why music is subjective right?
Pretty good actually 5/5
I thought all the songs, minus a couple were pretty good, I had only heard the title track before but liked most of what I heard.
no soy tan fan de madonna
An easy listen. Fun as ever. 3.25 rounded down to 3.
3.5 because prince earns extra
Lots of classics here
Its just so damn clean and wholesome sounding. The giggling baby noises sent it way over the top. Just really not my vibe. #notmymadonna
As someone that grew up having to listen to this being played on pop radio having to go through that was brutal. It's good work, I just don't want to have to listen to it
Bangersarna är bangers, resten inte så märkvärdigt
Går inte att argumentera mot hur inflytelserikt och självklart på listan det är, men inget som jag skulle lyssna igenom på eget bevåg annars.
Hade ingen koll på albumet i helhet sen innan men svårt att ett popalbum är mer befogat denna lista än såhär. Toppen!
Titelspåret är grymt men blev inte så imponerad av resten, även om jag inte heller ogillade det.
Has some great pop hits like the title track - overall enjoyable with a good beat
Absolute bop
If only for the last song on here, this album fucking owns.
Half of it is really good, the other is a bit weak. Overall a decent album though.
A few of the songs at the start and end are good. The ones in the middle not so much. Prince does some solid work. The production is nice.
I've never liked Madonna. Maybe part of the reason is because Madonna is my mom's reason for saying the 80s had the best music. I don't disagree that the 80s had some bangers, but Madonna isn't one of them.
Pretty good. nothing bad at all. I wouldn't mind if a song from this album played in Walmart. I could listen to the album again. It could honestly fit in with what I usually listen to every now and then.
Not bad but not incredible.
It started off pretty good, 80's for sure, but toe tapping and singing along good. Then the song Cherish. I really, really hate that song. I rank it up there with magnificently bad songs like Sussudio (sussudiocide), Never Gonna Give You Up (Rick Roll) or Party All The Time (comedy?). This album was made when Madonna was at her peak though. I believe it belongs on the list.
Good, but not really a goto for me.
Some good ones, some not so good ones...
I reaaly love this album. Underrated joyas 💎
I bought this album in 1989 but haven't listened to it for nigh on 30 years. Great pop songs that still stand up. The only dud is the Prince track which sounds exactly like every other 1980's Prince track and ruins the vibe slightly. 4½
First few tracks were good, others, meh. 2nd half of the album slowed up.
This was the appropriate ending to Madonna’s 80s era. And the beginning of whatever it is she became. 2.5
Starts very strong with an all time classic and some bangers. Middle of the album is quite forgettable but it finishes strong
Surprisingly enjoyable.
I am pretty much just here for the hits, but the production of this album is nice. I loved the Prince duet. Besides that the songs outside of the hits didn't really do it for me. My girlfriend loves this album though, and she was singing along to every song in the car while we were driving to the city today lol. So a solid 3
Loved this
I think I prefer ADT Madonna to BDT (After/Before Dick Tracy). I like the singles ok, and "Dear Jessie" and "Spanish Eyes" were interesting. It was also cool to hear Prince - I didn't know they'd collaborated. But for the most part this was a slog. "WHAT DO YOU MEAN IT'S NOT IN THE COMPUTER" almost saved it for me.
Muy chulo
Surprised by how much I enjoyed it
I mostly find this interminable, in large part because it comes out swinging so hard with the perfect title track. It's the remaining 10 tracks/45 minutes that are the problem. Actually, that's not fair, because Express Yourself also brings the heat. But THEN it's a problem! The record is dated in a way that puts it waaaay out of step with the other heavy hitters of 1989.
I walked into this one with a residual attitude thanks to Beyoncé telling me about all the dick she rides (lady, I don't know you like that and I don't want to know you like that). It's evaporated. This album goes surprisingly hard for pop. I'm impressed. Some very interesting imagery choices and personal backstories wedged between some pretty standard pop stuff. Let's take an inventory: sex as a spiritual experience (sure, why not when the song is this much of a powerhouse and you're not describing your genitals as "skittles"), girl power anthem (ok), experimental duet with Prince (neat), domestic abuse, grief and loss and childhood trauma, heartbreaking ballad putting the AIDS epidemic on full blast at a time when every government was sweeping it under the carpet. Hell of a statement.
I found myself bobbing my head quite aggressively. This isn’t my genre of choice but there is some catchy stuff here
The hits hit, the other stuff is a tad boring which surprises me.
Pop is the appropriate genre name, it's so sweet and engineered it makes my teeth hurt. Some 80's nostalgia keeps this from the basement
The track play counts on spotify don't lie, there's 1 good song here Will I listen to again: 1%
Listening to Like a Prayer in 1989 must have been a mind-blowing experience. It holds up!
I guess it's on the list because....blowjobs? It's definitely not good or interesting musically.
Such a classic and her best
Her most 80s album is only ok.
Starts strong and turns to non-recyclable plastic waste after 30 seconds in. How are there any Madonna albums on this list??
I liked the prince songs but even the hits were a bit long
Madonna really was that girl. Lots of surprisingly challenging lyrics and confrontations. I think Madonna's strength is in her singles, but that's not to say the songs are bad. I actually like most of the songs here. Tracks like 'Oh Father' give you a better sense of who she is, and that one in particular really grabbed me. The hits off this album are just great, 'Like a Prayer' is probably her best song period. Great stuff, and the genre mixing with the choirs and the twisting of the religious symbolism really works well. Madonna really was pushing the boat at the time with this, lots of people hated her for how she expressed herself (pun), and that's a testament to her ability as a performer. Great foundation for the progression of pop as we know it today. Fav track: Like a Prayer
I think Like a Prayer is one of the greatest pop songs ever written. It is outrageously good. The rest of the album could never meet the same standards but there were some decent pop songs on there, padded out with a bit of filler.
Like a prayer remains a very good pop song. A good hook, interesting use of gospel music accompaniment, and subversive in its lyrics and overall messaging. Unfortunately the album doesn’t keep the same energy as the lead single. ‘Oh father’ and ‘Spanish eyes’ aside, where there are shades of Kate Bush and finally some interesting chord progressions, the rest of the album is formulaic and uninteresting.
Great title track, not as blown away by the rest.
6.5/10
She’s great!
1 song wonder
Wow, Madonna is not very talented.
Well well well, another album that a launches with it eponymous track. Also the most popular track from the record by orders of magnitude. It makes for a curious start, while I listen to the familiar organ laced sexy church bating pop banger, I look forward to the rest of the record with some trepidation. But it's Madonna, the queen of pop (has she been called that? it feels like she would have), I'm sure we're in good hands. Listening to Express Yourself I'm struck by a couple of thoughts. Madonna is 80's music! I totally forgot that. The drums and bass and synth are all absolutely textbook, maybe because of this album? Who knows. Anyway you just know this would have slapped in Stranger Things season 2 in the mall. Come to think of it maybe thats where I've heard it before? No, I'm thinking of Material Girl which... (checks track list) is not on this album. Well this shares a lot of the same DNA as Material Girl and works just fine. At Love Song though, things get interesting. Prince lending guitar and vocals to the track, and recorded at Paisley Park, it's got his finger prints all over it. The vocal harmonies are super interesting, the slow groove is brave, it's peaked my interest significantly - although it is perhaps a little idiosyncratic to have the staying power of a hit. Till Death Do Us Part is kind of good, but my favourite part, and I say this with the utmost respect, was the end which had an outro with some unconventional choices I rather liked. Cherish does a similar sort of thing in the mid-eight. I think it's basically that the extremely 80's and extremely persistent synth bass line thats in all the poppiest songs drops out and gives a bit of a change of texture for a minute. Cherish does have a hook that feels like I've known it my whole life. Chances are I probably have. Dear Jessie again swings for a different texture and doesn't rely on the same sonic palette as the poppier tracks. But it is weird in a new and usual way. Blending something at once chamber orchestra and a Mexican flare of midi trumpets, it feels like she might have been reaching for something in the vein of the Beatles. One thing it does do well is queue up Oh Father, a satisfyingly Celine Dione-esque ballad. Spanish Eyes drops a genuinely hooky last hurrah which has a certain character and vibe to it. This is definitely later to be by borrowed by the band named after the orgasmotron wielding villain in Barberlla, Duran Duran, on their absolute banger Rio. So we may have this tune to thank for it (I'd wager a fiver on it). Finally we reach the end, and the album closes out with An Act of Contrition. A prince guitar solo with a loop of reversed percussion and an effected choir singing over it. Easily the coolest idea of the record to be honest. The spoken word thing she's doing, the melodic ideas, the lack of cheese. I mean it's Prince through and through, even the drum kit has his prints on it. But it's fucking cool. If only more of the record was like this.
Listened Before? Y Yep, it's a Madonna album. Pretty good. Lots of pop bangers here. Added to Library? N Songs added to playlist: Express Yourself
The only time Madonna's stuff is remotely interesting is when she hooks up with some weirdo producer (like she did on the album *Music*) and cranks out some experimental tracks. That ain't what's happening on this Big Mac of a record, generic pop with simplistic lyrics that's all polished up and ready for mass consumption.
The title track is a genuine classic, and the gospel choir is the reason. It does exactly what backing vocals should do — responding to and amplifying the emotional urgency of the lead vocal rather than hovering decoratively around it. Call and response in the truest sense, the choir as a force rather than a texture. After Solomon Burke’s record earlier in this project, where a great voice was undermined by syrupy decoration, hearing a choir actually earn its place is its own small revelation. The front half of Like A Prayer largely delivers on that promise. “Express Yourself” and “Oh Father” show Madonna drawing on genuine emotional material, and the Prince duet “Love Song” is the moment another musical intelligence briefly enters the room — looser, funkier, and more alive than some of what surrounds it. When the album is working it feels like an artist reaching for something real rather than calculating an effect. The back half is where that reach falls short. The material thins out, the cheesiness that was held at bay early starts creeping in — “Dear Jessie” being the clearest example, a whimsical lullaby that sits awkwardly between more serious material — and the emotional coherence that made the opening so compelling gradually dissipates. A great single and an uneven album. The choir moment alone is worth the price of admission, but it can’t carry everything that follows it. A fair three.
Мадонна знатная проститутка
Mostly bland saccharine pop. The instrumentals on "Act of Contrition" were pretty cool, and the track had some potential, but for some reason Madonna started yapping instead of singing.
I’m not a big Madonna fan but this is better than Ray of Light. The problem is it very stuck in its time and its time is terrible.
It's a great pop album, with songs that are timeless. The influence on modern pop is immeasurable here. Not the music mostly to my liking, but it is a monumental album nontheless. 4.5/5
Disappointed in this as an album despite having a good title track
Happy nice album slay Madonna
I forgot that Love Song features the incomparable and always iconic Prince. This feels like the album when Madonna starts to become less pop star, more artist.
cute. had it's moments
Disappointing. The singles are great but....
This album is more interesting than I expected. It has some classic well known Madonna songs. There were some that are classic Madonna hits, some strange ones that seemed more experimental, and some that are clearly more emotionally raw. As a whole album I don't know how much I would revisit it. But I will probably add some more of the songs into my rotation.
Brilliantly composed, imperfect but still pretty stellar
I liked the previous Madonna album and enjoyed this one too.
Haha from Deadpool
i think this is the album where madonna officially 'taps' in and becomes cool... the madonna album choices on this list are a bit silly... but alas i like most madonna albums :)
It’s terrible but the title track is one of her best which is why this isn’t one star