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Title: If only "Has to Be" has made it onto the album...
Review: Madonna has never really proven herself as a capable producer, as this album clearly demonstrates. Ray of Light is bogged down by muddy production, only twice (on the beautiful ballad "Frozen" and the techno-inspired "Skin") reaching a level of ambient greatness. The album also suffers from rather cliched and predictable lyrics (most notably on "Nothing Really Matters"). Nevertheless, Madonna still manages to create several captivating moments. The meditative opener "Drowned World", for example, or the swirling title cut. The album's highlight, however, is the dazzling six and a half minute album track "Skin". Madonna's fantastically ambiguous lyrics make this song one of her most provocative. Overall, despite it's flaws, Ray of Light is an above average, satisfying pop album, light years ahead of most other mainstream pop music.
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