Madonna [Original recording remastered]

1. Lucky Star: 5/5 One of my Madonna faves. This version is much better than the version on "The Immaculate Collection." You need to hear the full song to appreciate it. It hit #4 on the pop charts.

2. Borderline: 5/5 This song has taken years to grow on me, but now I love it. A Madonna classic. This hit #10 on the pop charts.

3. Burning Up: 5/5 A dance hit for Madonna. Although it's a great track, it's one of M's most underrated singles.

4. I Know It: 5/5 The intro sounds like the theme from some bad 80's action flick, but it's a cool song with an edgy chorus.

5. Holiday: 3/5 This is definitely a Madonna classic, but I've never cared for it. It's very recognizable but the other songs on here are better. A top 20 pop hit.

6. Think of Me: 4/5 A good dance track...nothing outstanding.

7. Physical Attraction: 4/5 Ditto to #6.

8. Everybody: 4/5 Madonna's first single was a hit in the dance clubs. It has a fun chorus and is pretty darn catchy.

On the remastered version, there are also two bonus mixes of "Lucky Star" and "Burning Up." A highly recommended album. All big Madonna fans should get this whether you have the "Immaculate Collection" or not. The remastered, extended versions are better. :)

The music on The First Album, infact all of it is dance-oriented with an obvious touch of pop. The album opens with Lucky Star (10/10). This song, Madonna's second single, proved to the critics that Madonna was no one-hit-wonder as the song peaked in the US Top 10 and No.14 in the UK. The song is bursting with energy and power with its upbeat and funky bassline, along with Madonna's great vocals. Track 2 is Borderline (10/10). This was the third song to be taken from The First Album where it charted at a dismal No.56 in June 1984, but was re-released in January 1986 and peaked at No.2. The song is a much more mellow effort than most of the other songs on this album, but it still has Madonna's soaring vocals with a bouncy bassline that is bound to melt the stoniest of hearts. The video to Borderline is superb, and was included in VH1's 100 Greatest Videos Of All Time. MTV was the biggest helping hand in the early stages of Madonna's career. People could put a name to a face and it was a brilliant way of promotion for her single releases - a factor that still stands prominently today. Track 3 is Burning Up (10/10). This song was released as a single in some countries and has a high-energy, sexually charged video to accompany it - one that garnered heavy rotation on MTV for the best part of a year. The song has some amazing guitar work going on with a traditional dance bassline to get your freak on to! Track 4 is I Know It (9/10). This is another up-tempo dance track with an excellent synthesiser bassline, which was the main instrument used in 1980's pop songs. The lyrics aren't very good, but Madonna sings away to her hearts' content - as she does on all the eight tracks on The First Album. Track 5 is Holiday (10/10). This was Madonna's first ever song to be released as a single. It charted at No.6 in UK in January 1984. If you want a definition of a true Madonna classic, this is it. The ten-note intro that runs at the beginning of the song is almost legendary and was most greatly appreciated on Madonna's Drowned World Tour 2001. The audience goes berserk when this song starts, basically because it's just so fun to listen to - a real party track that still sounds as fresh and new as it did 20 years ago! The song basically rocks gently with its melodic sweetness sending out party invites ("Everybody spread the word...we're gonna have a celebration").

Track 6 is Think Of Me (9/10). This is the album's worst track, yet it's still a brilliant Madonna song to get down to. The thing I noticed the most about this song is the vocal arrangement; it's superb and expertly done. The lyrics aren't very good, but pop songs aren't meant to have phenomenally, thought-provoking lyrics, are they? The bassline is excellent, while the instrumental halfway through is a great listen. Track 7 is Physical Attraction (10/10). This song is one of Madonna's most underrated songs ever. The song had almost been forgotten by 1987, but Madonna made everyone remember just exactly why it was such a good song when she included it on You Can Dance, Madonna's 1987 Remix album. Physical Attraction is the longest track on The First Album, clocking in at 6:35 minutes. The lyrics on this song are excellent and very memorable, especially when the tingly bassline is added after the line, "Maybe we were mean to be together. Even though we've never met before." Madonna makes convincing attempts to live up to the sex-kitten image when she speaks with her deep voice on songs such as this one and Everybody. Track 8 is Everybody (10/10). This is a brilliant song to close such an amazing album. This was never released as a single, but received heavy airplay in nightclubs throughout 1983. Holiday is Madonna's first single, but Everybody is the song that made her a star in the clubs. The lyrics are just pure fun as Madonna begs you to "get up and do your thing." And the listening audience is instantly convinced, as this song is so infectious it will get anybody dancing. Sire records (Madonna's record company at the time) released a 12-inch of Everybody in October 1982. Those who choose to see Madonna, as a self-image mongerer might be surprised to learn that not even the Queen herself was featured on the sleeve for the record. I'm not sure of track 9, Burning Up (12" version) and track 10, Lucky Star (new mix) because my version of this album is the original version, not the remastered version.

OVERALL GRADE: 10/10

If you don't own this Madonna album, you really need to get it now, as it truly is a must-have for every die-hard fan. Madonna's debut album represents the dance/club styles of the early 1980's. Other essential Madonna albums that follow the similar style showcased on this album are Like A Virgin, True Blue and You Can Dance. I feel Like A Virgin is superior to the rest of Madonna's 1980's albums, because it was her true breakthrough album. The lyrics are good, but not excellent whereas the overall mood of the album is stunning. If you're ever feeling down and you need to feel happy, this record should be in your CD player straight away! Buy this from Amazon now!