Review of like a Prayer by Madonna

Released in 1989, Like a Prayer was Madonna's last album - some might say her last prayer - of the 1980s. As with most of Madonna's albums, some of the best songs were never released as singles. These are the works where the listener hears Madonna's true self instead of her publicity machine at work.

There's no doubt the title song, Like a Prayer, made a splash with its controversial video, but the lyrics are really more of a plea to relive an intense love. The lyrics create a sensation of longing for lost, intense love without any real religious overtones.

The lyrics to Express Yourself encourage women to not only express themselves but to respect themselves enough to hold out for a love that lasts instead of paying attention to the material goods a man can provide them. With a danceable beat, the meaning to this song makes it a mantra for independent women.

Love Song never quite lives up to its potential. This song about a love that's ending leaves the listener feeling something is missing - cheated almost. It has a decent beat but needs a little more substance to support its message.

In Till Death Do Us Part Madonna explores the disintegration of a relationship into an abusive cycle in a strong and touching song. The music in combination with the words creates a haunting tone.

Deeply emotional, the ballad Promise to Try will touch anyone who's ever lost a loved one and felt the need to remember while also moving forward. Every line of this song evokes an emotional response and immerses the listener in the singer's pain. The depth of heartache in Promise to Try make it one of the most memorable songs on the album.

Madonna changes pace with Cherish, an upbeat song about cherishing a romantic, true love. It's a fun song that's sure to make the listener smile. After all, everyone wants to be cherished.

Dear Jessie is a sweet lullaby but it feels out of place on this album. The listener is jolted out of the flow of the album when this song starts. It would work beautifully on an album of children's songs rather than on a pop album.

Oh Father, a beautiful, sad song, is about the pain a parent can inflict on a child and the child's need to escape. Anyone who has ever felt the pain a parent's anger can inflict will relate to this touching song.

The funky dance beat of Keep It Together livens up a song that would otherwise be a little more than an examination of family dynamics. The lyrics of this song don't sound like something one would dance to, but somehow Madonna manages to make it work as a dance song.

Madonna's Spanish Eyes is an expression of the doubts of faith that arise in the face of tragedy. Spanish Eyes references the harsh reality of the pain inflicted by gang violence. It's a beautifully sung song that should speak to anyone who has ever suffered a crisis of faith.

Act of Contrition is a weird, unnecessary tract.

Overall, Like a Prayer is an enjoyable mix of music focused on righting wrongs, the need for acceptance, and the search for unconditional true love - both familial and romantic. It's a call to be better people and to create a better world. The mix of dance beats and ballads make it a pop album to enjoy with a few exceptions.

Like a Prayer is available at www.amazon.com, www.itunes.com, www.madonna.com, www.barnesandnoble.com, and http://music.msn.com.