Madonna's previous album
Bedtime Stories was released in 1994. She then starred in the film
Evita, had her daughter Lourdes and developed an interest in yoga, Hinduism and Jewish mysticism. That Madonna has changed can be clearly heard on Ray Of Light, a CD that sounds more honest, mature and personal than her earlier work. The collaboration with producers Patrick Leonard, Marius de Vries and
… especially William Orbit makes the album sound great. Atmospheric ambient sounds, exciting dance beats and a few touches of trip-hop color the songs. The songs that were co-written by William Orbit are the best of the record. Of these, Drowned World/Substitute For Love, Swim, Candy Perfume Girl and the confession Mer Girl the most notable. The production, however, cannot disguise the fact that the other songs, which she wrote with Leonard and Rick Nowels, among others, are a bit less to the point. (WvdZ)more
