The maturing of Madonna

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Not that there was anything to not like about the "bubblegum" Madonna of the early/mid 80s, but on this album, Madonna shows a much deeper and more spiritual side of herself that many people probably didn't know was there at the time. "Deep, dark and haunting" is probably the best way to describe many of the songs on this album, especially "Oh Father" and "Promise To Try." Of course, Madonna doesn't completely abandon what made her famous in the first place, and songs like the title track, "Express Yourself," and "Cherish" show that she was well able to incorporate her new lyrical maturity into the breezy, upbeat pop settings that served her (and us) well so many times before."