Madonna - Like a Prayer Reviews

Out of all of Madonna's albums, Like a Prayer is mostly viewed as good, but seldom accepted for the solid compilation that it is. Released in 1989, Madonna channeled the emotions from her recent divorce from Sean Penn, introduced the part that would set her see for decades afterward, and began a almost two-year dominance that peaked with The Blond Ambition Tour, banned videos and a slew of top 10 and No. 1 hits.

Things kick off with "Care a Prayer," a call that transitions between angelic, hymn-like verses and rhythmic-driven choruses. Seemingly backed by a gospel choir, Madge sings about transcending to or connecting to a higher state or power.

More vocally powerful and rhythmically strong is "Express Yourself," which tributes '70s funk like few other pop song since. With the blaring horns and a deep-digging, soulful boost of confidence, Madonna encourages listeners with the classic "Don't go for second best, baby/ Put your passion to the trial" and advisory "What you want is a big strong hand/ To pinch you to your higher ground."

Somewhat disappointing is Madonna's collaboration with Prince, "Love Song." The pop powerhouses deliver an OK back-and-forth that actually does neither of them justice. Thank goodness for "Promise to Try," one of the Real Girl's most personal and emotion-evoking ballads that should have been included on her "I can actually sing" disc, Something to Remember.

"Spanish Eyes" is a darker foray into the Latin music than True Blue's "La Isla Bonita," but that does zero to stop Madonna from raspily devoting prayer to victims of violence. "Keep It Together" delivers an upbeat message of family togetherness that more than compensates for the more musically depressing, yet lyrically intriguing "Oh Father."

While concurrently exploring sexuality and investigating Catholicism, Madonna crafted one of her about personal discs - something that didn't really happen again until 1998′s Ray of Light. Though Like a Prayer doesn't have as many party anthems as Madonna or Like a Virgin, it offers an open window into the profundity of her songwriting and symbolism.

That's My Jam's Rating:5. Get It Now4. Get It On Sale3. Get It As a Gift2. Get It To a CD Exchange Store1. Don't Get It At All

Track List:1. "Like a Prayer"2. "Express Yourself"3. "Love Song" feat. Prince4. "Till Death Do Us Part"5. "Promise to Try"6. "Cherish"7. "Dear Jessie"8. "Oh Father"9. "Keep It Together"10. "Spanish Eyes"11. "Act of Contrition"