I have discussed this album with Henrik, and how it seems to be one of the most acclaimed greatest hits albums of all time. And after discussing it a bit in the Rolling Stone thread, I just thought I'd share some of the acclaim I've come across.

(For me, I've never had a major problem with the slight differences in sound, overall- it actually makes the tracks sound fresh, and not dated, which- as good as some of the original studio versions are- do at times. Glad most don't have a major problem with that, either, judging by the acclaim).

Before running down some notable acclaim, though, these are some telling commentaries on the album:

Select (UK), Russell Brown: "So there it is: good sex, bad sex, dominance, submission, money, religion, race, image, reality, sleaze and innocence. Pop culture comes no better and we should be grateful."

Jim Farber, NY Daily News: "The most exciting and culturally reasonant singles collection of the last decade."

David Browne, Entertainment Weekly (reviewed upon release): "The Immaculate Collection is a welcome reminder of what drew many of us to the Material Girl in the first place: her music. The album refocuses our attention on how brilliant her records have been over the years-and gives us a peek into the obstacles she might face as her career enters the '90s." It was an A- review.

Now, those features:
* NME, Ten Great Greatest Hits Albums: #1
* Q, 12 Best-Ofs (2000): No order
* Q, 10 Best Best-Of Albums (2004): No ranking(alphabetical)
* Q, 50 Albums of the Year (1990): No ranking (alphabetical)
* Q, 12 Greatest Blond Albums (1999): No order (alphabetical)
* Blender, 100 Greatest American Albumsof All Time (2002): #1
* New York Times critics, Albums as Mileposts in a Musical Century: One of the 25 Alternates to the 25 Albums That Defined the 20th Century
* Rolling Stone/Rolling Stone Album Guide: 5 stars
* Musichound: 5 bones
* Entertainment Weekly, 100 Greatest CDs (1993): #45
* Mojo, Greatest Albums of All Time book: Compilation section (no order)
* Spin, 100 Greatest Alternative Albums of All Time (1995): #11
* Robert Christgau Conumer Guide: A+
* Sounds, 50 Albums of 1990: #38
* Mojo, 1000 Ultimate Albums (2001): Cited in "pop" field
* Music Service Library (1999 or 2000): Essential Rock Collection
* All Music Guide: ESSENTIAL in its genre (designated by a star next to the title; only found in the books)

I'm sure there are more, but these are the notable ones I've found.

Henrik, I DEMAND you make an exception to the compilation rule and include this album on your site.

It's passable as a hits collection from her early career. There are still some glaring omissions and some less-than-stellar remixes. All of the monumental blockbusters are there, and "Justify My Love" holds up to the previous hits. I can think of many greatest hits compilations that are better, but I can also think of many that are worse.

Which greatest hits albums are better than this monumental collection, Mr. Moonbeam. Immaculate even gives Beatles' 1 a heavy run for its money.

Every essential, classic track from 1983-1990 is present. As much as you personally may find other GH to be to your better liking- surely you can't deny how this album is an absolute essential. It really isn't just "another greatest hits album"- it is the soundtrack of its era, really. I like how another critic wrote (while reviewing her Bedtime Stories album) that love it or hate it, it defined virtually every pop culture moment from that period. Few other GH albums can lay claim to the same, no matter how commercially successful an act was during their era.

It has no "Burning Up," nor does it have "Oh Father." Those are two glaring omissions right there. ;)

Don't get me wrong, I love Madonna- so much so that I see flaws in "The Immaculate Collection."

Compilations that I believe are better than "The Immaculate Collection" include:

Prince's "The Hits/The B-Sides"
The Cure's "Staring At the Sea" and "Galore"
Blondie's "The Platinum Collection"
David Bowie's "Best of Bowie" (2 disc)
New Order's "Substance"
Joy Division's "Substance"
Depeche Mode's "Singles 81-85" and "Singles 86-98"
The Smiths' "Singles" and "Louder Than Bombs"

There are plenty more.

It might not be a greatest hits collection technically, but I always see the Buzzcock's Singles Going Steady on lists of acclaimed music.

Moon- but again I ask- do they define an era? Probably not in most cases. That doesn't mean the music's not as good- or even possibly better in some cases- but the combo of great music and serving as a soundtrack to the culture of the era- a pretty great combo, that is.

I forgot to include Immaculate's #278 ranking on Rolling Stone 500 Greatest Albums of All Time.

Oh Father is a great track- no question. But it wasn't as big a hit as the tracks on TIC (and it wasn't even a radio release/single outside the USA until 1995, as part of Something to Remember). It indeed also wasa great video, hence its inclusion on Immaculate's video companion. Burning Up? I have no problem with its omission from Immaculate- for moi, it's the perfect 15 selections to represent that era. I actually went ahead and did some commentary for each track- not a musical review per se, but commentary on each track's cultural impact and stuff. I may post it later on.

I don't like the cheesy versions of some of the songs that are on it (particularly "LAP" and "EY," which have a dance remix feel to them).

As far as acclaim goes, I have no idea. I don't keep track of what people say about hits collections.

I think it's definitely overstatement to say it defines its era and stuff like that. The 80s was a huge time for artists like Prince and Michael Jackson, as well as teen acts and hair bands, and TIC doesn't really represent their style of music. No one album can ever define a decade, and if any album comes close to that for the 80s, it's THRILLER.

All of those albums I listed do represent an era as much as "The Immaculate Collection" does. As much as I love Madonna, there is a lot of the pop landscape that isn't represented by her music. The same goes for virtually any artist. I don't view "The Immaculate Collection" as any more essential than plenty of other hits compilations. Hell, I like "Something to Remember" more.

that doesn't affect it from being one of the most acclaimed,essential albums of its kind.

Of course there are always other styles in an era, but none define its era like Immaculate. Run together as they are, the songs are relentless, in their pop pewrfection as well as what they contributed to the cultural landscape (some more than others, obviously). We'll have to agree to disgaree on this one, and that's very fine.

You like Something to Remember better? Zzzzzzzzzzz... Don't get me wrong, it has some great tracks, but it in no way compares to Immaculate. You'd probablt be in a very small minority on that one. Also, Immaculate wouldn't keep selling as it does if it wasn't a spectacular representation of that era- as well as being the template for pop over the last 20 years. Both she and Michael ruled that era, without a doubt- and the music continues to be looked upon findly.

Keep cool guys !!!
I'm gonna make all of you agree with the greatest of the greatest hits compilation that is also the most representative of its era : The Beatles double-red "1962-1966" (much better than "1" that only contains the number one hits, not necessarely the best singles, and than "1967-1970" that doesn't include many great songs of the "double-white album", prefering "obladi-oblada" to "helter-skelter"...)

"The Immaculate Collection" is undoubtedly one of the most acclaimed compilations ever. There is no arguing that. I just don't think it is as worthy as other compilations, and I love Madonna. As an artist, I prefer her to all of the other artists whose compilations I mentioned except Prince and The Cure.

Not that this has to do with what acclaim TIC has, but I very much prefer GHV2. Songs like "Frozen," "Secret," "Take A Bow," and "Ray of Light" are among my favorite Madonna songs. The only track on TIC that I *really* like are "Borderline" and "Like A Prayer." "Like A Virgin" may have had a pop culture impact, but it stole the bass line from Michael Jackson and, overall, isn't that great of a song. "Material Girl" obviously had an impact, too, but it's also kind of obnoxious. The impact of some of the songs on that collection hide the fact that they are 80s cheese.

actually, that bass line can be traced back to Motown, so MJ would have stole it from that era too.

Cheesey? Well, I suppose a good amount of 80s music could be described as such. But I wouldn't use that word to describe the music on Immaculate- after all, if it was a big cheesefest, it certainly wouldn't be as respected and revered as it is. Now, some other acts out there, yah, cheese would be used as a descriptive.

You only really like two songs on Immaculate, Jason? Oy ve. Sorry to hear that. That sounds like some kind of disease.

Re Beatles- 1 is fantastic, but it is limited by the #1 rule. In My Life is a track that needs to be on a Beatles compilation (even though it wasn't even released as a single). RE Elvis- for many years, I only had Elvis' 18 Number One Hits (that was released originally in the 80s)- but 30 #1 Hits and 2nd to None really are the only two Elvis compilations one needs.

for The Immculate Collection. There is more info out there (i.e. ratings in the Virgin book, as well as other guides; plus, any other rankings I may not know of at the moment), but this is a good indicator of things.

Henrik, if compilations were included, where do you think Immaculate would rank in terms of Madonna albums? Being a compilation, it probbably wouldn't feature on as many things as Like a Prayer- maybe somewhere in the range of Ray of Light and True Blue?

All Music Guide (USA) - Album Ratings 1-5 Stars: 5 Stars (cited as ESSENTIAL In Its Genre)
MusicHound Rock, R&B and Country (USA) - Album Ratings 0-5 Bones (1998-99): 5 Bones
Blender (USA) - 100 Greatest American Albums of All Time: 1
Blender (USA) - 500 CDs You Must Own Before You Die: No Order
Entertainment Weekly (USA)- 100 Greatest CDs (1993): 45
Robert Christgau (USA) - Consumer Guide Album Grade: A+
The Music Library Association (USA) - Essential Rock Collection: No Order
The New York Times (USA)- Albums as Mileposts in a Musical Century: No Order
Rolling Stone (USA) - The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time (2003): 278
Rolling Stone Album Guide, Ratings 1-5 Stars (USA, 1992): 5 Stars
Rolling Stone Album Guide, Ratings 1-5 Stars (USA, 2004): 5 Stars
Sounds (UK?) - Albums of the Year: 38
Spin Alternative Record Guide (USA) - Top 100 Alternative Albums: 11
Spin (USA) - Alternative Record Guide, Ratings From 1-10 (1995): 8
Mojo: The Greatest Albums of All Time (2000): No Order
Mojo: 1,000 Ultimate Albums (): No Order
New Musical Express (UK) - Ten Great Greatest Hits Albums (2003): 1
Q (UK) - Albums of the Year: No Order
Q (UK) - 12 Best Best-Of Albums (2000?): No Order?
Q (UK) - Ten 10 Best 'Best Of'… Albums of All Time (2004): No Order

In my opinion, collections can't be compared to albums with new music. If you only look at song material, collections are usually better than new albums. Most critics would agree with that although they not very often list collections among their favourite albums.

A comparison between TIC and True Blue is irrelevant. True Blue occurs in many end of year lists, TIC doesn't. Nevertheless TIC almost always gets higher ratings when Madonna's whole catalog is reviewed. Mixing this information gives a mess in my opinion.

Collections are also reviewed upon different criteria. Often the documentation of the artist and the songs is more important than the quality of the songs, since the song quality is a fact given on beforehand.

Immaculate would compare in acclaimed rankings *if* included, in your astute opinion- I know compilations won't be included in this site, Sir Henrik. :)

Compilations indeed are a different animal than regular studio efforts- but it is interesting when an industry outlet gives major props to a compilation- it shows just how impactful and good that particular act's music has been.

I'm very surprised that ABBA's Gold isn't part of the database...I am pretty sure I've seen it mentioned in a few lists i've come across and believe it to be on of the best selling greatest hits albums of all time?

is another act whose Gold (or, The Definitive Collection in some cases) scores notable critical acclaim.

However, being a compilation, Gold- like Immaculate- wouldn't be in the database. Bob Marley's Legend is another notable compilation that has enjoyed its fair share of acclaim.

i'd say it's a good collectio.. maybe best selling greatest hits ever?? not sure...

My favorites are Depeche mode and 'On The Radio' - Donna Summer

There is no way I can fully accept a "Greatest Hits" compilation that doesn't strictly keep to the original 7 inch mixes.

it keeps on getting accepted by lots of people from year to year.

It remains the one album- 7-inch mixes or not- that I cannot do without.

I like The Immaculate Collection, but it does have a few flaws, in my opinion.

Still, it is essential if for "Justify My Love" alone.

"Justify" is OK, but it's not anywhere nearthe top of my Madonna list of top tracks.

For me, having all those songs on TIC, one after the other, is a heckuva wallop in terms of impact. The versions don't lose the integrity of the 7-inch ones. The album is meant as a summation of its era, and gets the job done in a quicker, surveyish-like manner (hence the quick fade-outs of some of the tracks).

Madonna's usually thinking outside of the box- while most GH albums stick to exact hit/album recordings, she wanted to tweak things a little bit with this album- a way of staying "current," despite being a greatest hits compilation. For the most part, it works fine (my only beef being "Into The Groove" and the editing of the "Now-I-know-you're-mine" section).

I don't think the remix of "Like a Prayer" does that song justice on TIC.

I don't think any of the mixes does any kind of justice whatsoever.

Plus there is still nowhere to get the 7 inch version of "True Blue" on CD - Madonna's most radically different 7 inch edit.

the remix of "Like a Prayer"- is it better than the original? No, but that's what the LAP album is for. :) There's alos the fasater 7" mix on the 45 vinyl. I think the best version of "Express Yourself" is the 7" mix (used in the video- not the lenghtier video set to the dance mix).

Other than maybe LAP and EY, the casual fan will not pick up on the sound differences for most of the tracks. Some even think that version of LAP is the original. hehe

The Color Mix of True Blue is on the True Blue remaster (and also available on imports). Is that the mix you're talking about?

The colour mix on the "True Blue" remaster is the extended version, not the actual 7" mix.

I'm not a big Madonna fan, but for her own sake, I think she needs to get a restraining order against this JR character. He seems obsessed.

And for his part, JR should check himself into a mental health facility. No one should be this fanatical about a greatest hits CD. The first step to recovery is admitting you have a problem.

Just thought I'd bring a little humor to this heated discussion.

I agree with the previous statement.

Kay then.

Don't you know that Madonna is the second coming of Christ?

I'm only half joking... ;)

I respect JR's love of Madonna and often duplicate it myself.

Btw. speaking of "Greatest Hits" albums, Bob Marley's "Legend" is the one who usually performs best in those surveys. (Personally I don't find it flawless, as it contains nothing from his IMO two best albums, "Rastaman Vibration" and "Survival")

I'd put Madonna in front of Depinche Mode, New Order and the Cure any time. It's because of these Jason Bently synth pussies that all these idiotic 80 fads are coming back to haunt us.

The most 80s synth influenced album of 2005 was released by...... Madonna.....

She's a soloist. That doesn't count!!!!!!!!

I'm all for the 80s synth revival. That's my favorite kind of music.

Bingo. However, the old favourites from the 80s seem to have partly lost their songwriting touch, and Electroclash is too "cold" and depressive. So strangely, it seems the new electro pop albums from the likes of Madonna, Annie and Bertine Zetlitz (those who love Annie should definitely check out Bertine Zetlitz) are the ones I have liked best so far :)

hasa feature on Madonna's 5 best albums- and The Immaculate Collection is tops, ahead of Madonna, Likea Prayer, Ray of Light and Erotica (don't agree with the last choice, but whatever). This is the text (though I wouldn't agree with "Rescue Me" as a key track, amidst an album full of classics):
---------------------------------------------------

Probably one of the most perfect greatest hits albums ever made, The Immaculate Collection is all killer and no filler. Every track represents the best pop music of its time, from the bouncy "Holiday," to the controversy-baiting "Papa Don't Preach," all the way to the sleazy thrills of "Justify My Love" and "Rescue Me." Even better is the fact that each track is presented in its original single form, remastered and remixed — the new mixes are very subtle, except for the thrillingly beat-heavy version of "Like a Prayer." Purists could quibble that the edits fade out too early, but if you want the longer, less vibrant originals, buy the albums. If you want the optimized essence of Madonna's best career chapter, this is where you turn.

Key Tracks: "Justify My Love," "Rescue Me," "Vogue," and "Like a Prayer"

Then, how about the original 7 inch edits? The ones that aren't available anywhere except on ancient 45s? Isn't it about time that they are being available as well?

No, those versions are NOT included on "The Immaculate Collection", not a single one of them. "The Immaculate Collection" is basically a collection of Shep Pettibone remixes of old Madonna hits.

they're not really *remixes*- when I think of remixes, I think of drastically different-sounding versions, of which the versions on TIC are not (outside of Prayer and Express Yourself- they are dance mixex, but the integrity of the originals are not lost).

However, "True Blue" is not at all represented on the collection, in spite of it being a UK #1. The 7 inch mix was radically different, and is still not available on CD anywhere.

Also "Into The Groove" was radically different on "The Immaculate Collection", adding a piano solo that was originally on her dance collection among other things. Not to mention the addition of more synths on "Borderline" and the completely new snare drum sounds on "Holiday".

Regardless of whether they are complete remixes or not, the versions of some songs on TIC are not the ones people heard on the radio and loved. In my opinion, they are all worse than those versions, and it's sort of a disservice to buys to have those 'remixed' versions on there.

if moi, being the M admirer I am, can enjoy listening to TIC as much as I do, then I'm sure that most casual fans don't have a problem in the listening experience- and that is the point of a compilation, after all. Again, most aren't going to pick up on the subtle differences for some of the tracks (outside maybe Prayer and Express).

For me, it's a tight listen of the songs that were cultural definers of that era. Look at GHV2- it's the original-original versions of the tracks- some cut down in the editing process, of course- and as a compilation, it doesn't work as well as TIC, despite housing some very strong material.

For purists, having the songs the exact way they sounded when they were played on the radio IS important and will ALWAYS be important.

19 years have passed since the release of the 7 inch version of "True Blue", and other than an extended version as a bonus track on the "True Blue" album, the version (which was radically different from the album version also used on the video) has yet to appear on CD, 19 years on.

Btw, speaking of "Express Yourself", the single version was sort of a cross in-between the album version and the "Immaculate Collection" version. It had the "Come on girls! Do you believe in love!" intro, but then went into the dance oriented version found on "Immaculate Collection"

I guess what is needed is a 3 or 4 CD Madonna hits collection bringing ALL her hits, in their original 7 inch edit versions. This also includes hits such as "True Blue", "The Gambler", "Dress You Up", "Angel", "Dear Jessie", "Oh Father", "Keep It Together", "Causing a Commotion", "Who's That Girl", "The Look Of Love" and "Hanky Panky", none of which were available on "The Immaculate Collection".

purists. :)

I'm still not even sure I know which True Blue you're talking about- some putrist I am. ;)

RE Express Yourself single version- are you speaking of the 7" edit that appeared on the 45? That's my favorite version (and the one used in the video- the one that appears on the Immaculate home video).

BTW- did you notice that the Lucky Star video on the DVD is a different edit? Strange, since the origianl one was used on the VHS. Then, of course, the DVD has things wrong, such as a couple of years for the videos. LOL

Videos often use somewhat different versions from the "official" 7 inch ones.

And, yes, I am always speaking of the 45 versions, until the 45 disappeared, that is.

that about Lucky Star because the "official" one had been used on the VHS, so I don't know why the alternate take was on the DVD- knowing WB, it was not intentional. :)