Posted October 20, 201212 yr Taken from Wikipedia: Erotica is the fifth studio album by American singer-songwriter Madonna, released on October 20, 1992 by Maverick Records. For the album, Madonna worked with Shep Pettibone and André Betts, and was released simultaneously with Madonna's first book publication, Sex, which had explicit photographs featuring the singer. The album incorporates influences from house music, new jack swing, and lounge music. Madonna incorporated an alter-ego called Dita; she talks about sex and romance throughout the album. Other songs take on a more confessional tone, influenced by the loss of two of Madonna's close friends to AIDS. Erotica was met with generally favorable reviews from music critics. Some praised Madonna's confessional tone on some songs, believing that the album is Madonna's best effort, while others criticized the sexual themes. Erotica was less successful than Madonna's previous records, peaking at number two in the United States and the United Kingdom, being certified double-platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) and by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI). It peaked in the top five in Canada, Germany, Japan, New Zealand, Spain, and other countries, while topping the charts in Australia and France. Erotica and its accompanying coffee-table book Sex has more recently been seen as one of Madonna's most important releases owing to the sexual controversy surrounding it. She faced strong negative publicity from critics who commented that "she had gone too far" and that her career was over. The record, however, spawned the critically successful Girlie Show World Tour. The tour garnered controversy in Puerto Rico, where Madonna rubbed the island's flag between her legs on stage, revolting the island's government. The concert opened with a topless dancer performing, causing controversy in some countries which the tour visited. Six singles were released from the album. The title track, the record's lead single, peaked at number three on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100, also reaching the top-five in Australia, Ireland and the United Kingdom, topping the charts in Italy and Europe. "Deeper and Deeper", became a top-ten hit throughout Europe. "Bad Girl" entered the top forty in the United States. "Fever" was released in Europe and Australia, and "Rain" as the fourth single in North America, peaking at number 14 in the United States. "Bye Bye Baby" was a moderate chart success, peaking the top ten in Italy, and the top twenty in Australia and Japan. Legacy With the album's release, its accompaining book, Sex and Madonna's role on the erotic thriller film Body of Evidence, that featured her fully nude and in scenes engaged in simulated sexual acts, critics commented that "she had gone too far" and that her career was over. Despite this, some critics and Madonna's audience claim that the album is her best effort. Erotica is ranked at number 24 on the Slant Magazine's list of 100 Best Albums of the 1990s. According to author J. Randy Taraborrelli, "At the time of Erotica's release in October 1992, much of society seemed to reexamining its sexuality. Gay rights issues were at the forefront of social discussions globally, as was an ever-increasing awareness of AIDS. A generation seemed increasingly curious to explore, without guilt, shame or apology, a different slice of life, something more provocative, maybe darker. In the review for fifteenth anniversary of the album, music critic Sal Cinquemani from Slant magazine commented about the album's impact: By 1992, Madonna was an icon—untouchable, literally and figuratively—and Erotica was the first time the artist's music took on a decidedly combative, even threatening tone, and most people didn't want to hear it. Erotica's irrefutable unsexiness probably says more about the sex=death mentality of the early '90s than any other musical document of its time. This is not Madonna at her creative zenith. This is Madonna at her most important, at her most relevant. Madonna's voice might sound nasal and remote, but no one else in the mainstream at that time dared to talk about sex, love, and death with such frankness and fearlessness. Upon the release of the album, there came a phenomenon which was considered to be a "Madonna backlash" everywhere. The Vatican banned Madonna from entering the state and her music was banned on its radio stations. The title track and the album were also banned in Lebanon. Its accomapining music video also suffered of the mainstream condensation due to its explicit sexual imagery. About its limitated rotation on MTV, an insider from Warner Bros. said, "It's 'Justify My Love' all over again. In Singapore, after Erotica's worldwide release, the album was on hold for its release, because their government censors thought the track "Did You Do It" was too explicit. Managing director Peter Lau said, "We were elated when the album was cleared, but ['Did You Do It'] failed to pass. We're still waiting approval. Regarding the controversy, Madonna has recalled: "There was a time when I could not open up a newspaper or magazine and not read something incredibly scathing about myself. However, she stated: "I'm not apologising in any shape or form. That's where my head was at the time. I was interested in pushing buttons and being rebellious and being mischievous and trying to bend the rules." Track Listing Erotica Fever Bye Bye Baby Deeper and Deeper Where Life Begins Bad Girl Waiting Thief of Hearts Words Rain Why's It's So Hard In This Life Did You Do it? Secret Tracks that didn't make the final cut: Goodbye To Innocence Dear Father You Are The One You Thrill Me Shame What do you think of the album? Edited October 20, 201212 yr by SweetCandy
