If there was every a year at which Madonna was at the center of an endless controversy, 1992 would be the first to come to my mind. Sure she had some minor controversies when she realeased "Justify My Love" and "Hanky Panky", a song about spanking from 1990's "Im Breatheless" which by the way I think she sang with a little too much authority, and her 1991 "Truth Or Dare" movie.
Well, fast forward to October 1992, when Madonna and Time-Warner released her highly controversial page turning sizzler! aptly titled "Sex." Sex was page after page of Madge posing nekkid for dirty pictures with numerous other satrs such as Naomi Campbell and the less notable Vanilla Ice, with whom she had a brief and unsatisfying fling.
To tie-in with the release of "Sex", Madonna released "Erotica", which included the hit single of the same name, which went to no. 3 in late 1992. The biggest reason "Erotica" didn't sell as highly as her other albums, was because I think people were just fed up and tired of her sexcapades. The movie, the book, It was all a little bizarre frankly, and sure, it would lead to somewhat weak record sales. When I bought this CD I was a little put-off by the pictures of Madonna sucking on someone's crusty toe, moaning on the cover, not to mention the numerous pictures in the liner notes which include her licking her armpit, and being bound and gaged. After the book, I think this crap became a little redundant.
But the music is what matters and thats what im here to write about. This does happen to be my favorite of all Madonna's albums. This was good Madonna, fun Madonna. Not, "I think I can play guitar and be a wet blanket but it dosen't matter cuz you will all buy American Life whether it sucks or not" Madonna.
"Erotica", the albums title track is a fun little opener, complete with surface sounds like record scratching and a smooth bassline that stays with you, even after the song has ended. Madge assumes the role of "Mistress Dita", and tells her love slave all the questionable things she will do to him, all while being able to say "Erotic, erotic, put your hands all over my body". Its a lot of fun, and the video for the song is cool too.
"Fever" is a cover of the 1958 Peggy Lee tune, and has a nice little dance arrangement. Madonna's vocals are soft and memorable. "Bye Bye Baby" is one of my favorites from this album. It has a nice house beat and Madonna sings in a sort of cutesy vocal fashion. she askes her lover questions in the song like "Does it make you feel good to see me cry?", and I like the lyrics as well. Its a cool track.
"Deeper and Deeper" is shamelessly a disco song. Its about a young gay male coming out, but its sung from Madonna's point of view. It samples her song "Vogue" towards the end and has a cool spanish guitar solo. One song I don't particularly care for is "Where Life Begins", which is Madonna's tribute to cu*nilingus. GROSS! I hate the lyrics "Goe down where its warm inside, go down, where I cannot hide" and then she thinks shes being so slick when she proclaims "Finger lickin' good". Oh you tramp. Someone stick it in her already!
"Bad Girl" is another one of my favorites. Its a little more softer musically. Its an emotional piece, about Madonna doing wrong by her current man, and she talks about how the relationship is falling down the porcelian peehole, yada, yada, yada "Youll always be my baby" and "I love you just the same" Its over (insert tear here)
"Waiting" is a good song, about breaking up, and being angry at him. The music has a hip-hop feel, and features a trumpet, which also sounds synthesized. I like it when she says near the end of the song "And the next time you want pu*sy, just look in the mirror baby." What I don't like however is that THE SAME EXACT MUSIC AND SAME CHORUS is used on the mediocre "Did You Do It?" which is a very annoying rap song. I hate it. The rapper, whose name eludes me at the moment is not quite up to par when it comes to actually being in possession of talent. And Madonna...oh you genius...you WERE being cost-effective by recycling the music AND the chorus. Snoozers!!
"Theif Of Hearts" is a cool track about a so-called friend stealing her boyfriend away and how pi*sed she is about it. Saying things like "Which leg do you want me to break". The musical arrangement is similar to that of "Deeper and Deeper". "Words" is a fun little ditty about how a man has manipulated her with his words. WOW! I like this track because manipulating people is so much fun! J/K, but seriously, Madonna actually sonds hurt by all this. I think she'll punish him by some S&M time in the cage.
"Why's It So Hard" is a nice tune about peace and love and all that jazz. The music is pretty interesting. Madonna's sincerity is authentic in her vocals and It comes across as a pretty good song. A nice mid-tempo track. "In This Life" is a beautiful ballad about losing friends and loved ones. Its a timeless reflection of a subject we have all dealt with at one time or another. The music is a nice combination of percussion and piano. Its a slow song.
"Secret Garden" Is one of my all time favorite Madge songs. The lyrics are set to a very 1960's sounding jazz-combo. I like the lyrics as well. Madonna pokes fun at herself with lyrics like "I just wish I knew the color of my hair." Its a nice closer.
Last thoughts? "Erotica" is classic Madonna at her best. Musically. Visually, well concerning this phase of her career, I think the jury is still out on that. While it is a great expericene to HEAR Madonna's take on sex, its a disgusting one to SEE it. "Erotica" was creative, and is truly a great album. Don't believe the hype, only two of the songs (Erotica, Where Life Begins) are about sex. The rest of the album is just like any other of her albums. Songs about falling in love, break-ups, and other common subjects are seen her as well. So I can only leave you with telling you to go get it. You will love it!
Great Music To Play While: Being a dominatrix wannabe, taking nude pics and turning it into a book, taking the same nude pics and put them into the liner note of you latest album, being a bad girl, and being fabulous.
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