|
From:Madonna , Warner Bros / Wea ,
|
See Product Page
|
User Rating: Amazon Sales Rank:#90117 |
| | Page: << 1 2 3 4 >> |
 OK, but not great., 2008-10-16
I love Madonna, and I love a lot of her music...but when I picked up this album I picked it up because a lot of the songs on it I adored. However, like a lot of the other reviews say it does not live up to its latter the 'Immaculate Collection'. Unlike 'Immaculate Collection' this does not include any new songs and it does not go in the chronological order of which the singles were released. The album kicks off with the fabulous tune 'Deeper and Deeper', a strong dance number from Madonna's 'Erotica' album, followed by the track title of the same name, which isn't a bad number in itself, kinda freaky and kinky. I love it!
Switch gears into the 'Bedtime Stories' era with 'Human Nature' and what disappointed me is this awful radio edit version of possibly my favourite Madonna song of all time. I think if they wanted an edit version of 'Human Nature' they should have used the video version instead of this boring radio edit version. It takes the attitude and meaning out of the song and really kills the message of what Madonna is trying to get across.
Apparently they used this radio version to avoid a 'Parental Advisory' label...well, if thats the case then I guess the 'Bedtime Stories' album should have been given the label as well because any Madonna fan would probably know that the album version did not blank out the curse words in the original recording. Up next we get into 'Secret' and 'Don't Cry For Me Argentina'. I think we could have done without 'Don't Cry For Me Argentina', as great as Madonna's voice is on this track, I just don't think it jives together with the rest of the tracks.
We then hit 'Bedtime Story', an electronica song which is actually pretty catchy if you haven't really been into the style of Bjork (whom this track was co-written by). 'Bedtime Story' was seen as a pre-curser to what she would created with the fabulous 'Ray Of Light' album. Speaking of 'Ray Of Light', this Greatest Hits collection features the wonderful ballad 'The Power of Good-Bye' and the bone chilling 'Frozen'. These two tracks sort of remind me of her 'Erotica' album where a lot of the songs were sort of dark and had a cold feeling to them, but they are amazing songs which definately adds some colour to the collection.
Personally - also could have done without 'Beautiful Stranger'. The song annoyed me to the end whenever I heard it on the radio. But I will admit, I did love the cheeky video.
Later on down the album we hear the hit 'Take A Bow'. Another huge hit for Madonna and a beautiful ballad. This may just be my favourite Madonna ballad. Screw Rihanna's 'Take A Bow'...Madonna's is classic and if you ask me Rihanna's is just a cheap rip off of Madonna's. They both have the same message just different lyrics but Madonna's is more memorable in my opinion.
Dance track 'Ray of Light' soon makes it grand entrance. After a few slow ballads 'Ray of Light' picks up the pace a little and makes you want to dance. Classic Madonna dance track. Great beat! Took some time to grow on me though.
Then we get into the 2000s with 'Don't Tell Me' and 'What It Feels Like For A Girl'. Both good tracks from her 'Music' album. While not ballads or an upbeat song, both don't take away from the positive parts of the album.
In closing we have 'Drowned World/Substitute For Love' and 'Music'. 'Drowned World' is a ballad and while not one of Madonna's best ballads, it still an alright song and fits on here nicely. 'Music' is a fun pop track that just makes you want to dance and is what made me a Madonna fan to begin with.
To conclude, while this album has some dull parts, there are also some great momentos here but there are obviously lots missing. 'Rain' and 'Bad Girl' should have been here and maybe even 'Fever' from the 'Erotica' album (a remake of a popular song from the 50s that has been previously covered by many different artists.), 'Nothing Really Matters' from the 'Ray of Light' album should have been on here and 'Inside of Me' from 'Bedtime Stories'.
'American Pie' would have been a nice song to include here as well. Another great cover Madonna has done.
I'm 18-years-old and think Madonna is fabulous, so when a lot of you read this you know I am not a Madonna fan of the 80s (though I do love her older tunes just as much as her newer) and in my late-mid 40's, early 50s etc. She could have put together a better collection than this, I was a bit disappointed. The album could have used a better title than GHV2 as well...that sounds kinda dumb considering there is no 'GHV1'.
That being said, I give this Greatest Hits collection 3 stars for the gems that are featured here. If you're a new Madonna fan and are considering buying some of her albums, I wouldn't recommend starting here but at the same time, it isn't a horrible place to stop on the Madonna discography road.
 THE NEXT TEN YEARS!, 2005-11-12
while GHV2 is not comparable to Immaculate Collection (and you know why!), this second greatest hits of the one and only madonna is a testament to her great musicality as when she reigned in the 80's as queen of pop and braving the obstacles she encountered in the 90's. very few artists could rack up the impressive number of singles she has released. in the 90's, things have changed. her musical direction became vast and more creative, sacrificing "dough" to acheive her unlimited, boundless imagination.
GHV2 consisted of tracks from different albums, representing different artistic levels and undertakings: erotica, bedtime stories, evita, ray of light, music, plus singles from soundtracks and compilations.
all said, GHV2 represents the more mature, more artistic and more creative part of madonna. never afraid to take risks, she is willing to sacrifice whatever earnings in pursuit of elevating pop to the higher level.
sure, Immaculate Concpetion displayed what she could do with great pop songs, but ultimately, GHV2 displayed that she could do more!
long live the queen!
1 of 1 customers found the following review helpful:
 Wow, 2005-08-01
This packiage is needed! Because the CD is such a good one it deserves this package!
1 of 1 customers found the following review helpful:
This Music makes the people come together , 2005-04-06
Fifteen songs... A decade. There were a few songs from this album that Madonna had missed out, such as: "American Pie" and "Nothing Really Matters" etc... Please note that songs like "Rain", "I'll Remember" and "You'll See" can be found on the ballad compilation "Something To Remember". Madonna's first greatest hits compilation "The Immaculate Collection" is also available and includes such hits as "Crazy For You", "Lucky Star", "Vogue" and "Holiday" plus more. These compilations are also worth buying and getting if you are a real, die-hard Madonna fan.
Well... I feel like getting up out of my chair and dancing to some Madonna all of the time, so this Greatest Hits collection was no exception to pass up on! It does exactly what it says on the front sticker: (plays) the best songs of a decade. So if you really are a Madonna fan (...) and love her last songs of a decade, go out and buy this! Some of the songs are edited, like on her first greatest hits compilation, but that doesn't effect the or any qualities of this disc. "Music Makes The People Come Together" -- let's hope for a box set or a third Greatest Hits collection from Madonna. This collection includes no songs from the warner bros./maverick album "American Life".
01 Deeper And Deeper (10/10)
(US: #7) (17 weeks spent on Billboard Charts)
(UK: #6) (9 weeks spent on UK Top 75)
02 Erotica (10/10)
(US: #3) (18 weeks spent on Billboard Charts)
(UK: #3) (8 weeks spent on UK Top 75)
03 Human Nature (10/10)
(US: #46) (15 weeks spent on Billboard Charts)
(UK: #8) (5 weeks spent on UK Top 75)
04 Secret (10/10)
(US: #3) (22 weeks spent on Billboard Charts)
(UK: #5) (9 weeks spent on UK Top 75)
05 Don't Cry For Me Argentina (10/10)
(US: #8) (Weeks unknown)
(UK: #3) (12 weeks spent on UK Top 75)
06 Bedtime Story (10/10)
(US: #42) (7 weeks spent on Billboard Charts)
(UK: #4) (9 weeks spent on UK Top 75) (1 re-issue)
07 The Power Of Good-Bye (10/10)
(US: #11) (19 weeks spent on Billboard Charts)
(UK: #6) (9 weeks spent on UK Top 75)
("The Power Of Good-Bye" was also teamed together with "Little Star")
08 Beautiful Stranger (10/10)
(US: #19) (Weeks unknown)
(UK: #2) (16 weeks spent on UK Top 75)
("Beautiful Stranger" (in the US) could only chart due to its airplay on the radio)
09 Frozen (10/10)
(US: #2) (20 weeks on Billboard Charts)
(UK: #1) (13 weeks on UK Top 75)
10 Take A Bow (10/10)
(US: #1) (30 weeks on Billboard Charts)
(UK: #16) (9 weeks on UK Top 75)
("Take A Bow" was Madonna's lowest in the UK, but highest in the US!)
11 Ray Of Light (10/10)
(US: #5) (20 weeks on Billboard Charts)
(UK: #2) (10 weeks on UK Top 75) (1 re-issue)
12 Don't Tell Me (10/10)
(US: #4) (21 weeks on Billboard Charts)
(UK: #4) (10 weeks on UK Top 75)
("Don't Tell Me" is my favourite Madonna song!)
13 What It Feels Like For A Girl (10/10)
(US: #23) (10 weeks on Billboard Charts)
(UK: #7) (11 weeks on UK Top 75) (1 re-issue)
14 Drowned World/Substitute For Love (10/10)
(US: Only a single outside of the US)
(UK: #10) (5 weeks on UK Top 75)
15 Music (10/10)
(US: #1) (24 weeks on Billboard Charts)
(UK: #1) (23 weeks on UK Top 75)
Madonna is one of the few music acts to have had this much success on the Charts for this long. (22 year) She also had hits from her later album "American Life" and a lot of previous hits. Pick up this to get more of Madonna. Hits taken from the albums "Erotica", "Bedtime Stories", "Ray Of Light" and "Music". "Don't Cry For Me Argentina" from the music motion picture "Evita". "Beautiful Stranger" from the music motion picture "Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me". Please note that the song "Human Nature" is edited. It takes away the line: "I'm not your bitch, don't hang your s**t on me" and replaces it with "I'm not sorry, it's Human Nature".
Overall Score: 150/150
This is one of the few albums I have where I have or will give every song 10/10. Great album! Also buy previous albums and later effort "American Life". This particular limited edition is for the die-hard Madonna fan or collector. It features exclusive limited packaging which is lovely to touch -- I love the feel of it! It includes extra pages and photos plus the CD is attached to the book which I thought was a good idea. (There is a slip case at the end of the book which you will find the CD in.) The CD has a different artwork -- A beautiful picture disc of Madonna. Buy it!
this album rocks JUST THE WAY IT IS, 2004-10-23
In terms of compilation albums, this is the one that's buzzing in my CD player more than other ones (even the Immaculate Collection!). And I stand by the statement that this album is perfectly sublime JUST THE WAY IT IS. To me, each track is in itself a definitive Madonna masterpiece WITHOUT QUESTION. I think the best way to truly express how great this compilation really is is to write something about each track . . .
DEEPER AND DEEPER
I have to dance every SINGLE time I hear this song! This song NEEDED to be included on GHV2.
EROTICA
my personal favorite- a haunting expression of some of the darkest and most primal of sexual fantasies (S&M, for example). anyone who is familiar with this song and the album can appreciate the name i put on this review, then. the modern sounding hiphop beat and house-inspired, aloof background music make this a musical experience TRULY like no other. again, GHV2 did justice.
HUMAN NATURE
ultimately not a big hit on the charts, but a message that got everyone's attention- "i do what i do and if you don't like it, i won't stop, i could care less what you think." GHV2 met this one halfway by including it but as a dumbed down version with no profanity
SECRET
Madonna's hippest R&B tune ever. i think that when she released this along with the album Bedtime stories back in '94, she effectively communicated that she could still get down with the getdown.
DON'T CRY FOR ME ARGENTINA
Who doesn't know this song, or at least the fact that Madonna sings it? If this song had not made it into the collection, then that would have been the worst-case scenario!
BEDTIME STORY
i love this song, it is just so mindblowing and ethereal with its trance-house themed sound.
THE POWER OF GOODBYE
A beautiful ballad from the Ray of Light album. 'Nuff said.
BEAUTIFUL STRANGER
Madonna closed the door on the nineties with this unusually rich-sounding dance track from the second Austin Powers movie. An excellent note to end the nineties on.
FROZEN
The most beautiful ballad on the Ray of Light album and one of her best by far.
TAKE A BOW
Madonna's biggest hit ever, this also was a necessity for inclusion on GHV2. It's from Bedtime Stories, and it was written by Babyface, and he never goes wrong, as vividly proven in how beautiful this R&B song sounds.
RAY OF LIGHT
I love the video for this song, which made me love the song itself even more. I love how it was Madonna's return to the pop world, back in top form again!
DON'T TELL ME
A kickin' track from 2000's Music album which is characterized with unbeatable pop lyrics and a catchy hiphop sounding backbeat (check out this video too, which features M's turn as a dust covered cowgirl).
WHAT IT FEELS LIKE FOR A GIRL
Madonna's second best vocal work in a song (top billing goes to Don't Cry For me Argentina). It is a beautiful ballad from Music that goes against society's construct of the ideal female.
DROWNED WORLD/SUBSTITUTE FOR LOVE
I thought this one was some kind of slowed-down, rock-and-roll ballad, and then watching the video opened my eyes to what message Madonna was really sending about herself and the stress of celebrity. Not released in the United States, but still deserving of its GHV2 slot (you'll really think so if you watch the video).
MUSIC
Madonna did it AGAIN with this electronica-laden dance track extraordinaire. She opened a new decade, a new century, and a new millenium with a pulsating, high-energy dance single that was her first to go #1 in years. Yes, she does still got it.
Now you can see why these songs are most deserving of making up Madonna's second Greatest Hits compilation. Some may point out that such #1's as "I'll Remember" and "This Used to Be My Playground" are not up there and say they should have been put up there. But those two songs, while they did chart extremely well, are just not ones that automatically come to mind with 1990s and 21st century Madonna. And another thing: this album just rocks on the weight of the featured songs. Therefore there didn't need to be any new material featured on the album; people bought it so that they would be able to listen to classic Madonna whenever they wanted, not listen to new material.
|
| Page: << 1 2 3 4 >> |
|