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45 of 52 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
One Of The Best Of Her Career, July 28, 2002
I'm sat here listening to Erotica, trying to think why this stunning album was so critically attacked. Before I bought this album, I was worried the critics may have been correct. I thought if I bought it, all I'd think of every time I listened to it is that harsh crack of the critical whip. With a little help from the positive reviews on Amazon, I decided to give it a go. The sheer superiority and excellent early 90's dance shines through. The critics said this album was full of sex, sex, sex. What the hell are they all on about?! There are three sex songs on here! (Erotica, Secret Garden and Where Life Begins). Here's my review of Erotica...
Track 1 is Erotica (10/10). The first song from this album released in October 1992. It made UK No.3. The video and orgasms shocked the world. The deep. voice is almost scary as the sight of dominatrix Madonna in the video pops into my head evertime I hear this. Track 2 is Fever (10/10). A cover of Peggy Lee's classic from 1956. This made UK No.6 in April 1993. The taking of a really soulful 1950s song and updating it with racy, dance beats of the 1990s works really well. Track 3 is Bye Bye Baby (10/10). A very good dance/pop track. I like the lyrics, "I know I loved you, because I hate you". Classic, up-front Madonna! Although her voice is a little strange, even nausiating. Track 4 is Deeper And Deeper (10/10). A very good dance track for the clubs. This made No.6 in the UK in December 1992. The chorus is really up-beat and happy. The Spanish bit half-way through is really good and gives it that foreign holiday feel. Track 5 is Where Life Begins (9/10). A VERY saucy track from kinky Madonna! The whole song is mainly about how to have sex. Be sure to listen to this song on your headphones if your mum or dad are in the house when you're listening to this song! Track 6 is Bad Girl (10/10). A very good, laid-back ballad and my personal favourite Madonna ballad ever. This made UK No.10 in March 1993. This was the theme-tune to her erotic, 18+, critic-bashed film, Body of Evidence.
Track 7 is Waiting (10/10). A good mid-tempo track. Madonna's deep speaking vocals crop up quite frequently on Erotica. This track has a great bass-line and the piano makes this great track sound like a 1940's romance ballad. Track 8 is Thief of Hearts (10/10). A fantastic up-tempo track. Madonna goes a little over the top saying, "[...]" all the time. The "you do it, you take it, you screw it, you fake it. Come to it, you'll break it, you're over, you can't take it!" is the funkiest bit! Track 9 is Words (9/10). Another very good dance/pop gem. It sounds a lot like Fever. It's about another person Madonna hates because they think they're better than her and the persons' words "cut like a knife - cut into her life". Track 10 is Rain (10/10). A really good ballad - one of her best ever. The lyrics are very good and emotional. This made UK No.7 in July 1993. The speaky-bit is very relaxing and well, just brilliant! Track 11 is Why's It So Hard (9/10). I'd say this was different track to many others on Erotica. It's more of a rock/dance track. The song is about racism/sexism etc...Track 12 is In This Life (9/10). A sad ballad about one of Madonna's best friends who was only 23 when he died of AIDS. Memories of Madonna's mother who died in 1963 of breast cancer (when Madonna was only 5) may have re-surfaced when she wrote this. This results in an emotional, expressive tone in her voice. Track 13 is Secret Garden (9/10). A mid/up-tempo song. I think this is about sex because of the lyrics, "you plant the seed and I'll watch it grow" and "I'm looking for the perfect flower". The deep, spoken verses are also an indicator of a raunchy track about sex.
The result of Erotica is a stunning album. It's hard to believe this has only sold 5 million worldwide compared to some other Madonna albums which have sold 19/22 million. And the critics? Well they can just...
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14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Erotic, April 20, 2001
"Erotic...Erotic...Put Your Hands All Over My Body"...What can I say. This album is unique, sassy, kinky, hypnotizing, with a funky edge. In my opnion, it's Madonnas most under rated album ever. During her 'Erotica' era, she was so "IN YOUR FACE" with the album, "SEX" book, and her movie "Body Of Evidence". She got slammed by critics for all three. But in my mind, it was a theme, something die hard Madonna fans like myself were able to appreciate. The title track to me was extremely sexy. It was unlike anything I have ever heard. Though it was similar to the cooing in "Justify My Love", "Erotica" has a seducing type sensation. I find it incredible to this day. "Fever" is a classic. Though I favor Peggy Lee's version, Madonna gave it a club feel as opposed to a "jazzy/blues" feel that Lee gave it years earlier. "Bye Bye Baby" is brilliant! I love the message, and the recording technique used. Madonna's creative genious shines with that track. "Deeper and Deeper is a club anthem. It's so 70's, you can't help but love it. "Where Life Begins" is mellow, it's not a song you can dance to, but it's a song that's about exploring sexuality and inner emotions. Brilliant writing. "Bad Girl" in my opinion could have been better. The lyrics seem to be piled on top of eachother. I found that it lacked a "smooth" flow, however I loved her singing in this song. Her voice seemed so raw and edgy. "Waiting" seemed too similar to "Where Life Begins", but it has a soothing feel nonetheless. "Thief if Hearts" should have been a single. The music is awesome and her singing makes you want to "get down". "Words" really surprised me. This song made me appreciate her ability to be a song writer alot more. And what can I say about "Rain". It's haunting, spiritual, flawless! "This song got to me just like "Like A Prayer" and "Promise To Try" got to me when "Like a Prayer" was released. One of her BEST BALLADS EVER! When she sings: "I'll stand out on the mountain top, and wait for you to bring..the rain"....I just want to melt! You can't help but surrender to this track. "Why's It So Hard" is similar to "Keep It Together", while "In This Life" makes you aware that life is too short, a song dedicated to those she lost to AIDS. I have mixed feelings for the last two songs. "Did You Do It" is not one of my favorites, but "Secret Garden" is very jazzy. All in all, this album is brilliant in its own right.
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9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
What a lovely way to burn, indeed, March 14, 2000
Madonna's 1992 album "Erotica" was a landmark album in her career, and absolutely ahead of it's time. Unfortunately, released between her notorious Sex book and the overheated box-office debacle Body of Evidence, her finest album got lost in the shuffle. A closer, undistracted look at "Erotica" today reveals an artist on the verge of a thrilling change, ripping open the envelope she'd always threatened to push, and finally giving us a taste of what we were all assuming she was doing in the first place. Like today's electronica, 1992's "Erotica" is a chilly but exciting experience. Far removed the warm, submissive intimacy of "Justify My Love," the Madonna of "Erotica" walks tall and carries a big whip. "Erotica" was produced to a large degree by DJ/remixer/producer Shep Pettibone, whose signature mixes have rocked the clubs and airwaves since the mid-80s. Pettibone's energetic and creative production dominates Erotica, with a diverse, textured blend of beats, bass and sonic soundscapes, while still leaving Madonna free to do her thing. Album highlights include the throbbing title track, the dance-till-you drop firecracker "Deeper and Deeper", and a sizzling cover of Peggy Lee's "Fever ". Other fine Madonna/Pettibone collaborations include the riveting confessions of "Bad Girl"; the witty revenge fantasy "Thief of Hearts"; the heated plea for equality, "Why's It So Hard"; and the soaring ballad "Rain." Producer Andre Betts also has a strong presence on "Erotica", co-producing such standout tracks as the steamy ode to oral gratification, "Where Life Begins," and the soul-searching album finale, "Secret Garden." It is to Madonna's credit that, despite the years that have passed, "Erotica" still seems as fresh and exciting as her recent album "Ray of Light". Though the warmth of "Ray of Light" may have its roots in her soulful 1994 album "Bedtime Stories", the creative production on "Ray of Light" is a direct result of the stylistic departures Madonna took on "Erotica". Madonna's career took a much-needed turn in 1992. She shed about 3 million boy toys, mall gals and countless other Top-40 radio addicts who can sing along to "Into the Groove" with the best of them, but who wouldn't know progression if it hit them over the head with their new Mariah Carey record. Madonna purposefully took a brave giant step toward progression that fateful year, and came up with a mighty fine record to show for it. Madonna's "Erotica" is an underrated classic, just waiting (with a whip and a smile) to be reappreciated.
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