Madonna [Original recording remastered]

I listen to this very often and it never gets boring. It's groundbreaking in the dance genre and this is 80's club music at it's absolute best! I pretty much like every song on it but my favorite are "Lucky Star", "Holiday", "Physical Attraction" and her debut single "Everybody". The bonus remixes of "Lucky Star" and "Burning Up" are also great and I am glad that they were added to this remastered release.

If you have not started a Madonna collection aside from her greatest hits compilations, I recommend you start with this.

No one has bridged club music and mainstream like Madonna has, and she certainly did this this album as it contains her first top-20 hit "Holiday", her first top-10
"Borderline" and her first top-5 "Lucky Star".

1. LUCKY STAR (#4 US / #14 UK)
2. BORDERLINE (#10 US / #2 UK)
3. BURNING UP
4. I KNOW IT
5. HOLIDAY (#16 US / #2 UK)
6. THINK OF ME
7. PHYSICAL
8. EVERYBODY (#107 US)
9. BURNING UP (12" VERSION)
10. LUCKY STAR ("NEW" MIX)

Released in 1983 and taking its' own sweet time to catch on, Madonna's self-titled debut album is still a fun collection of light, fluffy early '80s tunes including the hit singles "Holiday", "Lucky Star" and "Borderline" as well as some great lesser-known material inspired by her days at Danceteria.

The infectious cowbell-and-drum-machine driven "Holiday" remains a dance-floor favorite nearly 30 years later and is known by heart even by non-fans, but the hypnotic "Everybody" surpasses it for sheer dance-floor intoxication. The bland "Borderline" never really grew on me--it sounded a little dated even then. The non-hits "Think of Me", "Physical Attraction", "I Know It" feature fun, synth-heavy '80s arrangements and even in this early stage Madonna shows range. When she goes from pouting "Tell me what I did to you to make you treat me so badly" to scolding "You better, you better" in "Think of Me" or sexily and brazenly challenging her undecisive lover ("What are you gonna do?") in the delightfully futuristic, celestial "Physical Attraction" her delivery is perfect. The real showstopper here is the scorching ode to female horniness that is "Burning Up". In one of her most convincing performances Madonna proclaims her sexual frustration by first simply stating "I can't quench my desire" then in a final desperate confession "I have no shame". Nasty little guitar licks underscore Madonna's heavy panting in this lust-drenched dance-rocker. While the original album cut is the best thing about "Madonna", make sure you get the remastered CD with the Bonus Tracks because the 12" version actually improves on it. Though the guitars are missing, the extra frantic keyboards make up for it and Madonna's vocals are more in the forefront.

Madonna's fate was already sealed with this album--she would quickly become and be forever known as the Queen of Dance Music. Still a fun ride all these years later. FOUR-AND-A-HALF STARS.

Lucky Star 5/5
Borderline 3/5
Burning Up 5/5
I Know It 3/5
Holiday 5/5
Think of Me 4/5
Physical Attraction 5/5
Everybody 5/5

This was Madonna's debut and although her sophomore album "Like A Virgin" was the one that made her a household name, this album was still very successful and gave her a nice share of hits. Yeah, the songs scream early 80's, but the album is a fun dance LP and a Madonna essential.

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. :)