Like A Prayer - Madonna

This weeks Critical Junction sprinkles a bit of perfect pop sunshine into November rain with 1989's Like A Prayer. Madonna's fourth studio release, she fuses rock, dance, funk and soul and delivers her most mature lyrics yet.

The original album release featured a special edition run that was Patchouli scented, Madonnas favourite smell (oh dear) and an AIDS info pamphlet which is still included today.
The stand out track is the eponymous Like A Prayer building from a get your groove on chorus to an all out preacherman gospel belter. The religious content of the track carried over to its controversial video in which Maddy witnesses a murder, snogs a saint, dances around burning crosses and even catches herself some stigmata. Eighties survivors will know this was stir causing stuff.
Personal experience is laid bare in Till Death Do Us Part, dealing with the end of her marriage to Sean Penn, Oh Father reveals a difficult relationship with her Dad that's somewhat softened with the closing lyrics "Maybe someday,When I look back I'll be able to say, You didn't mean to be cruel, Somebody hurt you too"
Her Mother features in Promise To Try and Madonna even dedicated the album to "my mother who taught me to pray"
There's plenty of classic pop fun too, Cherish, Express Yourself and Keep It Together will all have the fingers and feet tapping, and even a duet with Prince, Love Song.
Rolling Stone said it was "as close to art as Pop music gets" Decide for yourself on Thursday Morning.

Track Listing
1. Like A Prayer
2. Express Yourself
3. Love Song
4. 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