kesiak

First album I ever bought. Probably het most iconic record cover. It's also the album that truly broke her internationally (especially in non-English speaking countries). All of the singles are iconic and stone-cold pop classics. Yes, it's of an era sonically but actually stood the test of time better than a lot of albums from that time cause it didn't just rely on synths and programming - those were mixed with live instrumentation played by the absolute top of the game musicians of the era.

Fever is actually a great example of my original point. The most known versions of the song (Peggy Lee, Elvis) are genuinely sexy, sensual and simmering. Madonna's take is cold and aloof.

I think "Bedtime Stories" is more sensual for sure. I also don't see "Erotica" as a "sexy" or "erotic" album at all, it's far too detached for it. Even artwork and packaging evoke coldness rather than steamy sensuality. Her image while promoting it was also a reflection of that - take "Justify My Love" look, with full lips and blond curls, smokey eyes and black lingerie and then we have Dita with plucked Dietrich eyebrows, suits, thin lips, golden tooth, etc. "Justify My Love" was also warm musically, steamy and sexy in a way that "Erotica" is not. The only songs about sex on the album are "Erotica" and "Where Life Begins" really, rest is about love, pain, loneliness, heartbreak and loss.

Well this is awkward...

Whenever I'm asked which Madonna album is the best, I always reply that it's too hard to answer that, but that the one I listen to more than any other is Erotica. I love every single thing during that era (starting with This Used To Be... and ending on The Girlie Show) - I don't skip a single song (yes, that includes Did You Do It? - it's hilarious and that groove is pure bliss), love the remixes, b-sides, demos, videos and the tour, of course. My only wish is she worked with Andre Betts more - his tracks really stand out and are unlike anything she's ever done.

Thank you!

But how does this relate to Erotica and Madonna leaving out Dear Father because of the baseline (which could've easily been re-written anyway if that truly was the issue)?

What's the source of this info?

Really interesting interview but the "photo essay" is meh.

There is a very good and entertaining book about the birth of MTV and its first decade - I Want My MTV: The Uncensored Story of the Music Video Revolution. Great read.

I saw one of the London shows and thought she sounded fantastic, her most confident live voice in years.

This is so infinitely depressing. Despite all her achievements, all her hard work and talent, her behaviour and work are still being viewed by some through the prism of the men in her life ("things went down hill after the divorce") or her appearance (tummy, ass, cheeks or whatever else we're dissecting on any given day). Misogyny in sheep's clothing of concern.

This is really, really beautiful and a pretty truthful representation of not only the live show itself but also the journey of Madonna as an artist up until this point. It's breathtaking.

It's refreshing to see you're not prone to exaggeration...

Uhm? Lament was literally spine-tingling.

Drowned World Tour is a masterpiece. Madame X Tour is actually probably closest to that tour than any other she's done.

I love Aaliyah's "Are You That Somebody" which also samples some baby noises so it doesn't bother me here either .

I don't get the hate for Autotune Baby. Funana is fun but I agree it doesn't belong on the main album.

I actually love the funk of The Girlie Show arrangement, that's probably my favourite.

I'm so with you. I went to Lisbon with my partner to see her too (one show got cancelled last minute, got tickers for another date while we were still there and that got cancelled too) and despite missing out on the show I had a wonderful time and absolutely fell in love with Lisbon. Can't wait to go back.

She quoted from "Rescue Me" without missing a beat in that interview, she remembers them alright .

It's this Billboard interview (last minute):

Really excited, especially having seen the new trailer. I feel genuinely privileged I was able to see that show in person.

"Looks like" being the operative words here. There are plenty of behind the scenes videos from LaChapelle's shoots, where you can see sets being build, props, etc. Tim Walker is the same. Having said that, I never liked this MJ shoot of his, yuk.

LaChaplle a digital composite artist? You realise that all the stuff you see in most of his photos are actual set pieces, often custom made and built specifically for that one shoot, not stuff that was photoshopped in after?