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 'Erotica' • album discussion, 5th album | 1992 |
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 Jun 3 2020, 05:48 PM
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#1
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Joined: 17 February 2011
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 A place to discuss Madonna's 5th studio album 'Erotica'. Released in 1992. 1. Erotica 2. Fever 3. Bye Bye Baby 4. Deeper and Deeper 5. Where Life Begins 6. Bad Girl 7. Waiting 8. Thief of Hearts 9. Words 10. Rain 11. Why's it so Hard 12. In This Life 13. Did You Do It? 14. Secret Garden What are your thoughts on this album? Share any opinions, memories, favourite songs, or just discuss it anytime you're re-listening! |
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Jun 3 2020, 05:48 PM
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#2
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Joined: 17 February 2011
Posts: 56,202 User: 13,007
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Jun 11 2020, 05:45 PM
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#3
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 I found the love, I found the love in me
Pronouns: He/Him
Joined: 13 December 2007 Posts: 87,422 User: 5,042
   
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I think I've only heard 'Erotica', 'Fever' & 'Rain' from this album (unless I can't remember the other 2 singles but will recognise as I make my way through). Just based on 'Erotica', this album feels like it's her 'In The Zone' moment (sorry to bring the Britney comparison again - but their careers are quite similar in terms of growth as an artist etc..) and by that I mean she stripped away the more pop image, for something a bit more sensual, "sexy" and a bit more daring in terms of artistry and content (if only Britney's team were as daring as Madonna's team with the singles choices at the time and released 'Breathe On Me' and 'Touch Of My Hand' as the 4th and 5th singles
 ) but although not a favourite, I really like 'Erotica'. 'Fever' is a good cover version and I like how different it is.Just from the first 3 tracks alone, this is SO different to her previous 4 albums. She really wanted to strip that bubblegum pop, girl next door image, didn't she? I love the risk (I suspect it was an even bigger risk for it's time too). This might be one of those albums where I prefer it as an actual album to her others, but it lacks the highs of the other albums (similarly to how I feel about 'Joanne' from Gaga - obvz the content is v different lmao) so incredibly cohesive! I feel like it's "of it's time" but in the best way possible. It doesn't feel like it's aged but it doesn't feel like it'd be "fresh" now, if that makes sense. 'Rain' is lovely! A forgotten gem in her catalogue. I found out 'Justify My Love' wasn't on this album but was on Immaculate Collection just before it... definitely the inspiration for this more sensual route then I guess!  (What a song that is *.*)01. Erotica 02. Rain 03. Deeper and Deeper 04. Thief of Hearts 05. Fever 06. Bye Bye Baby 07. Waiting 08. Why's it so Hard 09. Secret Garden 10. Words 11. Bad Girl 12. In This Life 13. Where Life Begins 14. Did You Do It?* I found it hard to actually rank the album coz it flowed nicely and on one listen of albums like that, it's always a bit stressful  'Secret Garden' is a nice way to end this album, imo. It's probably not one I'd go to out of choice, but I'll appreciate it when I listen to the album again. I'm a bit disappointed by 'Bad Girl' though, ngl. I dunno what I expected, but it wasn't as interesting as the albums theme would suggest it would be and I can do without the forgettable 'Where Life Begins' & 'In This Life' (maybe they'll grow with more listens). But overall, I'm impressed. No "huge" standout like her past albums, but a very daring album that flows really nicely! Even now, the theme of it feels quite risque! Some of the songs could do with being cut down a bit (a few of the tracks are a minute or so too long) to make it a BIT more cohesive, but that's fine. But yeah, very impressed. It's probably my favourite "album" so far, but it lacks the highs of the other albums!*I actually really like DYDI? but it's not really a Madonna track!? Album Rankings: 01. True Blue 02. Erotica 03. Like A Prayer 04. Madonna 05. Like A Virgin |
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Jun 11 2020, 05:52 PM
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#4
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 Jord
Joined: 12 March 2017
Posts: 10,758 User: 27,116
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Erotica is amongst my least favourites of her albums.
But I appreciate what she did and how it was such a bold and brave thing to release when she did it. I think it’s imagery and visuals are stunning too just the music is like sonically not what I’d choose to listen too. I’d probably rate it as like her 12th best studio album or something. MDNA is definitely worse than this but I feel like I prefer everything else. |
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Jun 11 2020, 06:24 PM
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#5
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Joined: 17 February 2011
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It's not a huge favourite of mine either, but then whenever I listen to it I appreciate how cohesive it is and how striking it is. For its time too, there really isn't many other more controversial moments in pop than this + the SEX book!
QUOTE(Jonjo @ Jun 11 2020, 06:45 PM)  Just from the first 3 tracks alone, this is SO different to her previous 4 albums. She really wanted to strip that bubblegum pop, girl next door image, didn't she? I love the risk (I suspect it was an even bigger risk for it's time too). This might be one of those albums where I prefer it as an actual album to her others, but it lacks the highs of the other albums (similarly to how I feel about 'Joanne' from Gaga - obvz the content is v different lmao) so incredibly cohesive! I feel like it's "of it's time" but in the best way possible. It doesn't feel like it's aged but it doesn't feel like it'd be "fresh" now, if that makes sense. 'Rain' is lovely! A forgotten gem in her catalogue. As you continue through them, you will start to really see why she is the queen of reinventions. Each era has its own distinct qualities and aesthetics and vibe. This is just one of many examples where you question if it's the same artist as the one you listened to previously Great to see your love for Rain, Deeper and Deeper and Thief of Hearts  Also yes, Justify My Love could fit perfectly on this album, it's definitely the introduction and transition from Like A Prayer Madonna to Erotica Madonna!
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Jun 11 2020, 08:20 PM
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#6
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Mansonette
Joined: 7 March 2006
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Jonjo I need to know if you like Rescue Me from The Immaculate Collection!!! it's one of my absolute favourites but it's not generally that popular, it's another hybrid between the Erotica sound and the Vogue/Like a Prayer era.
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Jun 18 2020, 07:09 PM
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#7
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 BuzzJack Idol
Joined: 8 December 2010
Posts: 50,947 User: 12,472
 
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This album took the longest to click with me out of all Madonna's albums so I'm quite impressed at how much you like it already Jonjo!
I love the unpolished, beat-heavy approach to the album, I feel that really captures the lustful mood and puts you right into the depths of the club. Madonna's straight-talking attitude to sex was obviously really ambitious for the time but it still feels refreshing today, particularly the humour in songs like 'Where Life Begins'. The album is much more complex than given credit for too - it's often pigeonholed as a highly provocative, extreme exploration of sex, but there's many emotional, personal moments: the self-acceptance of sexuality in 'Deeper & Deeper', the healing nature of love in 'Rain', the harsh reality of the AIDS-epidemic in 'In This Life'. |
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Oct 20 2020, 06:16 PM
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#8
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Joined: 17 February 2011
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Happy 28th birthday to this hugely influential/controversial and divisive album!
Are you a fan of the album or not? |
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Oct 20 2020, 07:00 PM
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#9
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 BuzzJack Legend
Joined: 22 December 2009
Posts: 30,289 User: 10,275
 
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The title track still goes hard and Deeper and Deeper is one of my ultimate faves
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Oct 21 2020, 06:02 AM
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#10
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Joined: 17 February 2011
Posts: 56,202 User: 13,007
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Remixes coming! 
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Oct 21 2020, 10:36 AM
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#11
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Jord
Joined: 12 March 2017
Posts: 10,758 User: 27,116
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I like a few tracks from this as stand alone songs but it’s not an era / album I listen to as a whole.
Visually, I love it and it’s definitely ahead of its time. I’m just not keen on the spoken style vocals what are on a few of the tracks. Every so often I think I’ll give it a listen to see if I feel any different towards it but yeah. I think the fact that I’d put Erotica bottom 3 across her whole discography might be my most controversial Madonna opinion. |
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Oct 23 2020, 11:21 AM
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#12
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BuzzJack Platinum Member
Joined: 31 August 2010
Posts: 8,788 User: 11,763
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Erotica remixes are out now !!!
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Oct 23 2020, 12:59 PM
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#13
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BuzzJack Regular
Joined: 8 September 2017
Posts: 362 User: 39,843
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It's actually one of her albums I used to listen to as a whole (I was 11 years old when I bought this, many years later after its original release) but agree that apart from the great concept, visuals and originality, some tracks are not great standalone tracks I'd go back to.
This said, Deeper And Deeper, Bad Girl, Words and Why Is It So Hard are either classics or personal favourites I do return to. |
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Oct 23 2020, 01:43 PM
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#14
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BuzzJack Platinum Member
Joined: 31 August 2010
Posts: 8,788 User: 11,763
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I was 10 when this album came out.
I remember learning the lyrics from the cassette inlay. In year 6 in primary school we were asked to write a poem about the weather. I copied / inspired by rain. The teacher thought it was marvellous and made me read it in an assembly. |
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Oct 23 2020, 05:17 PM
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#15
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BuzzJack Gold Member
Joined: 4 January 2007
Posts: 2,543 User: 2,392
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Awesome album, special place in my heart.
Ah that’s a cute story about being influenced by Rain aged 10! |
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Oct 23 2020, 08:01 PM
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#16
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BuzzJack Enthusiast
Joined: 18 October 2007
Posts: 1,072 User: 4,586 
 
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It's truly fantastic album. I just love it.
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Oct 24 2020, 03:51 PM
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#17
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BuzzJack Idol
Joined: 8 December 2010
Posts: 50,947 User: 12,472
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My rank:
01) Deeper & Deeper 02) Erotica 03) Waiting 04) Where Life Begins 05) Bad Girl 06) Rain 07) Thief of Hearts 08) Words 09) In This Life 10) Fever 11) Why's It So Hard? 12) Bye Bye Baby 13) Secret Garden Quite hard to rank as the quality is really consistent throughout - some songs could easily move around a couple of places on another listen. I've never really worked out where 'Erotica' places on my rank of Madonna's albums but, listening to it now, it's such a strong, focused body of work. I saw this question asked on PopJustice which I thought was interesting: how successful would this album have been if Sex was never released? 
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Oct 24 2020, 06:01 PM
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#18
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Joined: 17 February 2011
Posts: 56,202 User: 13,007
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QUOTE(Liam.k. @ Oct 24 2020, 04:51 PM) My rank: 01) Deeper & Deeper 02) Erotica 03) Waiting 04) Where Life Begins 05) Bad Girl 06) Rain 07) Thief of Hearts 08) Words 09) In This Life 10) Fever 11) Why's It So Hard? 12) Bye Bye Baby 13) Secret Garden This is an interesting rank and makes me want to do my own. I definitely agree with the top few and bottom few but 'Thief of Hearts' and 'Rain' are too low for my liking! 'Where Life Begins' has never been a stand out for me, but maybe I need to listen again because 4th is totaly unexpected
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Oct 24 2020, 06:04 PM
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#19
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Joined: 17 February 2011
Posts: 56,202 User: 13,007
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🔥🔥 |
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Oct 28 2020, 06:41 PM
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#20
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BuzzJack Idol
Joined: 8 December 2010
Posts: 50,947 User: 12,472
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QUOTE(HausofGhibli @ Oct 24 2020, 06:01 PM) This is an interesting rank and makes me want to do my own. I definitely agree with the top few and bottom few but 'Thief of Hearts' and 'Rain' are too low for my liking! 'Where Life Begins' has never been a stand out for me, but maybe I need to listen again because 4th is totaly unexpected 'Thief of Hearts' and 'Rain' could feasibly be higher because the quality is that good, but 'Bad Girl' has always been a favourite of mine and 'Where Life Begins' I think is one of Madonna's most clever and witty songs, plus the jazzy piano backdrop is perfect. |
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