The Complete Studio Albums [1983-2008]

I would hazard a guess that, considering she has sold 300 million records worldwide, that most homes probably own at least one Madonna album. A Madonna album these days is something the youngsters jeer at, often falling over themselves with their juvenile cries of "She's an old lady! Why do people still buy her records?" Of course, she has, in her 30 year career, outlived virtually all the trendy personalities of the moment, as stars come, stars go and the whole kerfuffle of here one minute, gone the next, stardom starts all over again. What the youngsters who criticise Madonna are listening to today will be something completely different tomorrow.So, with all those stars that flickered, shone and then went out, how can anyone dare call Madonna old and question why people still buy her music. What we (kids of the 80's) were listening to way back before mobile phones, the internet, 24 hour shopping and iPods were invented, we are still listening to today! And, listen we shall. Owning a Madonna album may seem cheesy and irrelevant to the likes of Radio 1 and the nayslayers, but contained on each Madonna record is at least a handful (but very often, more) of such pure, quality, unadulterated pop masterpieces, it is easy to provide evidence as to why her records still sell. Deciding which Madonna album to own is another mystery. Like a Virgin? Like a Prayer? True Blue? What about Confessions on a Dance Floor or Ray of Light? Who can forget the controversy of a pregnant Madonna in her teens (yeah right!) parading around in that superb video to Papa Don't Preach? Or the powerful symbolism of the stigmata and burning crosses in the controversial video to Like a Prayer? I wouldn't mind betting that the first image of Madonna anyone has is of her acting all cringey in that ridiculous (but wonderful) Like a Virgin video. Lions and wedding dresses don't mix! Of course the sight of a slender Madonna doing the splits in a pink leotard as she wriggles around and bops to Hung Up is one to savour. Ridiculing asides, Madonna's career is one that has been with every person who grew up in the 80's for nearly all their lives.The recent release of Rebel Heart (her 13th album) may not be selling the amounts that her biggest hits did, but we are in a different era now. An era of downloads, short attention spans and the urgent need to text someone about someone you can't remember win a talent contest you don't particularly like! But, she still managed to get a number 2 position in both the US and UK as well as a string of number 1's elsewhere in the world. Not bad for an old lady who really shouldn't be selling records is it?So, to help you decide which Madonna album to buy, for just twenty quid, buy all of them! Well, her first eleven anyway. The albums in this box are each of her 11 Warner Bros studio albums. From "Madonna" (the album that features Holiday) to "Hard Candy" (the album that features the Justin Timberlake duet 4 Minutes), these albums are a whole lifetime of memories. Madonna's music may not be everyones cup of tea, but each time you hear one, a memory comes flooding back. Not many artists have had that much influence over all our lives for so long. Once you have these albums, you just need MDNA and Rebel Heart to keep those memories coming.And, what's great is, you can buy those two latter albums right here!MDNARebel Heart (Deluxe) [Explicit]This collection really is a lifetime of memories in a box! Go on, buy it! You know you want to.

The above score for this set is given with a caveat: It's for the music contained within, and it's value, but it could have been better. What you get here is all Madonna's 'studio' albums from 1983-2008 for less than £20. They are contained in a medium thickness fold-open box in individual slipcases which have a slightly matt finish to them. It's a bargain. However... my reservations are the same as others expressed here: First of all, 'You Can Dance' was marketed as a new album at the time, and it is missing (depriving us of the song 'Spotlight' only available on that album). As is the music inspired by the film 'Dick Tracy'; 'I'm Breathless' - also a studio album (depriving us of the hit 'Hanky Panky'). The version of 'Like A Virgin' contained within is the early version that is missing 'Into the Groove' (the initial pressing was without it, but in the UK this was quickly replaced by a new pressing. In the US this happened with later pressings). It is also not a singles collection, so all of Madonna's many one-shot releases (like 'Crazy for You' / 'Gambler' from 'Vision Quest', 'Who's That Girl' / 'Causing a Commotion' from 'Who's That Girl?', 'Justify My Love' from 'Immaculate Collection'. 'This Used to be My Playground' from 'A League of Their Own' - and so on) are all missing. This is a very good value collection, and I recommend it for casual fans or serious fans, but one additional CD mopping up most of the stray songs people would be familiar with and this would have been perfect. So, five stars for the music and value, but more like 4 stars for not being complete.

I was so surprised to find most of the studio albums in one place, a must buy for any serious Madonna fan

Good

Excellent package of 11 studio albums in cardboard sleeves nicely contained in a box.I bought this to replace all my jewel cased Madonna CDs to free up shelf space.I would have given this 5 stars if it had included a booklet and her other 4 main CDs from this period: "You Can Dance", "I'm Breathless". "The Immaculate Collection" & "Something To Remember", or alternatively, a special bonus disc exclusive to this box set containing a selection of tracks from those 4 missing CDs.Otherwise, its excellent value for money.