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 'Madonna' • album discussion, 1st album | 1983 |
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 9th January 2021, 07:06 AM
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#21
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 BuzzJack Legend
Joined: 13 November 2015
Posts: 33,299 User: 22,665 
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as a kid I only noticed Madonna when she released Like a Virgin, so I bought her debut when the album was re-released in Europe
Borderline is the jewel of the album, one of her best singles ever the rest is ok for me but none of the tracks is a 10/10 and some like Holiday or Lucky Star are probably just a 6/10 for me |
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20th January 2021, 10:32 PM
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#22
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We're all Glitter and Tears in the Moonlight...
Joined: 24 September 2013
Posts: 10,022 User: 19,846
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Here is my track by track review of Madonna's self-titled debut album. I'm gonna do reviews for all of her studio albums & the best way to start is at the very beginning & work my way through her discography.
 Lucky Star The album opens with this iconic number - a synth-heavy disco track that's endlessly catchy, thanks to the superb glittery synths which really drives the melody along. Yet at the same time gives this a great atmosphere, almost making it sound like some futuristic signal from far in the future, it’s just great & a fantastic way to open this album. Borderline One of my all-time favourite Madonna songs. Just love the very simplistic intro before delving into some bubbly synths, electric piano & of course Madonna's vocals really sound fantastic on this rather soulful Disco number. Both the verse and chorus melodies are top notch, creating that perfect earworm effect. This could may well be my favourite track on this album. Burning Up Changing things up a bit now with this more new-wave sounding track that's driven by aggressive electric guitars & starker arrangements, making this far less pop than anything we've heard so far, yet still a pretty strong number with some nice interplay with the synths on the song’s catchy chorus, and the way it builds up at the end of each chorus before the guitar riff comes back is just awesome. I Know It The first non-single on this album so far, yet still an incredibly fun & catchy number, with its bouncy melodies that like the previous numbers, very synth heavy, but in this case features some heavy saxophones during the verses, which adds a nice touch to the whole thing. Holiday Probably the most well known song on here, it may have not been her first single, but it is the one that jump started her legendary career, and what a beauty. Its a 6+ minute full-blown disco epic that is one of the catchiest songs you’ll ever hear. The song is set around funky guitars and synths, a driving disco beat, all of which makes the whole thing infectious & of course there's that beautiful piano solo towards the end. Not only is this a firm highlight in Madonna's discography, but dare I say it a classic, nothing more. Think Of Me A funky synth-pop number that has a very similar vibe to 'Lucky Star', yet doesn't quite hit the same highs, but still a very fun number with an awesome saxophone solo that really lifts the whole thing to another level. An enjoyable little 80's pop song. Physical Attraction The last non-single on here, that I wouldn't really call all that catchy, as it goes more for atmosphere than melody with synths & drum beats taking the centre stage on this funky little number, even if they do overtake her vocals at times. But on the whole, this is still a pretty decent number. Everybody This is where it all began - Madonna's very first single, which didn't quite set the world on fire & its not hard to see why. Not saying this is bad or anything, but compared to the album's other singles, this doesn't quite compare & feels rather limp. Although on the more positive side, this does have a nice funky dance pop rhythm going on, but the vocal hooks aren't very strong & given the song's length (at over 6 minutes), it quickly gets old & can't quite sustain its running time like some of the other tracks on here with a long running time. But on the whole, its an okay way to end the album & everybody has to start somewhere. This post has been edited by Nina West: 20th January 2021, 10:34 PM |
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20th January 2021, 10:34 PM
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#23
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We're all Glitter and Tears in the Moonlight...
Joined: 24 September 2013
Posts: 10,022 User: 19,846
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I will review her other albums in their respective threads in due course, please feel free to tell me what do u guys think of my review.
This post has been edited by Nina West: 20th January 2021, 10:35 PM |
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21st January 2021, 09:08 AM
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#24
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BuzzJack Platinum Member
Joined: 31 August 2010
Posts: 8,801 User: 11,763
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I agree that Borderline is the best track on the album. I dont think there is a bad song here , such a string debut and actually miles better than LAV.
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21st January 2021, 10:21 AM
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#25
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 BuzzJack Idol
Joined: 8 December 2010
Posts: 50,985 User: 12,472
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Agreed, I much prefer this album to 'Like a Virgin'. I've been revisiting it in light of these reviews (might do my own at some point) and 'Physical Attraction' is standing out more and more as my favourite, although it's a pretty consistent album throughout. I can definitely see why 'Borderline' is often selected as the favourite. Her performance on the Jimmy Fallon Show is one of my top Madonna performances of recent times:
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21st January 2021, 11:07 AM
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#26
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 Mansonette
Joined: 7 March 2006
Posts: 35,316 User: 54
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I'm also tempted to follow suit and revisit all of the albums to post reviews - you're all inspiring me
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27th January 2021, 01:37 PM
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#27
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BuzzJack Enthusiast
Joined: 18 January 2021
Posts: 1,789 User: 122,015
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ALBUM RANKINGS:
11. MADONNA/THE FIRST ALBUM 12. AMERICAN LIFE 13. MDNA 14. MADAME X Madonna's debut was released before I became a fan, but I bought it at a later stage and found it not as impressive as Like A Virgin. For me, as much as I have a place for Holiday, it has never been a favourite as I find it quite repetitive and void of any proper chorus. It's almost annoying that it has become one of her trademark songs. I feel much the same about Everybody and Lucky Star as well and usually I would skip all three of these tracks when listening to one of her compilations. Borderline is made considerably better with the video and is a sweet kind of track... though again there doesn't seem to be much of a transition between verse and chorus. Best track by far here is Burning Up - song and video. I remember getting the first Madonna compilation VHS and watching it over and again. The remaining album tracks are all pretty much so filler, with the only stand out being Physical Attraction - which at over 6 and a half minutes is far too long! So this album for me is just quite a bland start to her discography and again not one that I would choose to go back and listen to; but it's still more accessible than American Life and Madame X. |
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31st January 2021, 12:06 PM
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#28
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⬛
Joined: 17 February 2011
Posts: 56,217 User: 13,007
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Interesting review CJK! It's in the bottom few albums for me too but I think I enjoy it more than your review suggests you do. 'Borderline' for example is one of my favourite 80s Madonna songs
 It's definitely one of her more "bland" releases though, going on how vibrant and eclectic pretty much every release has been since this!
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31st January 2021, 06:34 PM
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#29
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BuzzJack Enthusiast
Joined: 18 January 2021
Posts: 1,789 User: 122,015
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I think "Bland" is exactly it for me. I feel I should like it more but it's just not the production and sound that I like from Madonna and when some of the songs are just sooo looong it feels a bit of a drag at times.
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1st February 2021, 08:54 AM
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#30
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BuzzJack Legend
Joined: 13 November 2015
Posts: 33,299 User: 22,665
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Checking the credits I just realised Madonna wrote 5 out of 8 songs solo! Even if the best songs in the album (Borderline and Holiday) were other people's songs, it's great she did so many songs on her own.
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4th March 2021, 10:34 AM
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#31
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BuzzJack Regular
Joined: 3 February 2021
Posts: 238 User: 122,900
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Madonna - The first album still rocks for me. I love it; I love the original album artwork and the songs are so NYC and of their time, and most still stand up really well; far, far better than newer albums. I put 'Think of Me' on in a crowded gym a few years back, and everybody loved it. I love M from this era, hungry, defiant, and ready to take on the World....
1. Physical Attraction 2. Holiday 3. Borderline 4. I Know It 5. Think Of Me 6. Lucky Star 7. Burning Up 8. Everybody |
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4th March 2021, 01:32 PM
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#32
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BuzzJack Idol
Joined: 8 December 2010
Posts: 50,985 User: 12,472
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The 'Physical Attraction' love!
The original album artwork is one of my favourite Madonna images too - that seductive look straight down the camera!
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4th March 2021, 02:40 PM
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#33
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BuzzJack Enthusiast
Joined: 18 October 2007
Posts: 1,072 User: 4,586 
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It's truly one amazing song. I really like it.
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14th February 2023, 11:25 AM
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#34
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BuzzJack Idol
Joined: 8 December 2010
Posts: 50,985 User: 12,472
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‘Borderline’ EP added to digital platforms:
iTunes Top Songs: #2 Belize #2 Greece #50 France #62 Belgium #86 United Kingdom #91 Ireland #125 Italy |
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15th February 2023, 03:45 PM
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#35
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BuzzJack Idol
Joined: 8 December 2010
Posts: 50,985 User: 12,472
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'Borderline' in HD:
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15th February 2023, 06:14 PM
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#36
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⬛
Joined: 17 February 2011
Posts: 56,217 User: 13,007
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One of her absolute best. Timeless
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7th March 2023, 09:34 AM
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#37
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BuzzJack Idol
Joined: 8 December 2010
Posts: 50,985 User: 12,472
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8th March 2023, 06:31 PM
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#38
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BuzzJack Idol
Joined: 8 December 2010
Posts: 50,985 User: 12,472
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The EP is out tomorrow instead of Friday, exactly 30 years since its release:
01. Burning Up 02. Burning Up (7'' Edit) 03. Burning Up (12'' Mix) 04. Physical Attraction (7'' Edit) 05. Physical Attraction https://music.apple.com/nz/album/burning-up...n-ep/1676050933 |
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9th March 2023, 05:37 AM
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#39
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BuzzJack Idol
Joined: 8 December 2010
Posts: 50,985 User: 12,472
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9th March 2023, 02:24 PM
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#40
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BuzzJack Enthusiast
Joined: 18 October 2007
Posts: 1,072 User: 4,586
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I just love those song.
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