Month: July 2026

Madonna, True Blue
Sire/Warner Bros., 1986

1. Papa Don’t Preach
2. Open Your Heart
3. White Heat
4. Live To Tell
5. Where’s The Party
6. True Blue
7. La Isla Bonita
8. Jimmy Jimmy
9. Love Makes The World Go Round

“Papa Don’t Preach”

There’s something oddly lacking about this album, and the only reason I can think of is that I am listening to an original 1986 compact disc pressing. I think this was mixed for vinyl and cassette, and that mix comes across as unfinished on CD. I clearly remember “Papa Don’t Preach” and “Open Your Heart” being – and sounding – absolutely huge back in ’86. “Open Your Heart” in particular was a wall of sound, but it comes across as empty here. I mean that literally; the mix isn’t nearly as full as I remember hearing it on the radio back in the day. The songs are crystal clear but ring hollow, almost like demo tracks.

“La Isla Bonita”

I really should listen to the remastered version of this album, because my recollection is that “La Isla Bonita” was an outstanding, almost haunting track entirely unlike any of Madonna’s other songs. But here the drums and Spanish guitar that gave it that distinct Caribbean/West Indian mystique are muted and overwhelmed by synthesizers, spoiling the mood entirely. I remember this song being so much better than it sounds here.

“True Blue”

The one mix that stands out above the rest is the title track, “True Blue,” which I have spent the last forty years believing was a Cyndi Lauper song. My apologies, Madge. In my defense, I was eleven in 1986, and it was not socially acceptable for boys to know too much about girl music back then. As for the here and now, I am going to reserve judgment until I can listen to a better mix of this album, or at least hear it on vinyl or cassette. I don’t feel like I can fairly rate this album based on this disc.

“Open Your Heart”

Elwood, The Parlance Of Our Time
Palm Pictures/Gobstopper, 2000

1. Sundown
2. Slow
3. Red Wagon
4. Picture Of You
5. Forty Five
6. Bush
7. Peaches
8. Dive
9. Love Hook
10. Stockboy

“Sundown”

I bought this based solely on my love of “Sundown.” What an unexpected discovery. This entire album is a strange, heady mix of energetic yet laid back tracks. It’s peppered with echoes of ‘60s and ‘70s soft pop and jazz, but I honestly can’t tell if these sounds are sampled or recreated by studio musicians. Either way, I love the results… except for “Love Hook,” the only clunker on the record. I understand that this is Elwood’s sole album, which is a goddamned shame. The world needs more albums like this.

“Picture Of You”