Softer, Gentler Madonna A Refreshing Change

Oh Maddy, we hardly knew ye. What’s this, a soft side? Well, of course she’s always had one - just never got the chance to show it much, what with all those noisy dance hits, seedy books, soldout tours and lousy movies clouding the picture.

But on her new ballad collection, “Something To Remember,” (Warner/Maverick), pop’s Madwoman has indeed gone tender. Introspective. Reflective, even.

Is the world ready for a kinder, gentler Madonna?

It should be. By showcasing the more graceful songs from Madonna’s 12-year recording career, “Something” adds a fresh perspective on her work. It’s also an opportunity for the 37-year-old superstar to ply the more lucrative adult-contemporary market with non-threatening material. Finally, something for the parents. Madonna’s growing up.

Though her album sales have been slower in the ‘90s than in the ‘80s, Madonna remains one of few lasting players in pop’s delicate multi-demographic game. She’s the only icon developed during MTV’s earliest days who’s still around. To date she has sold nearly 100 million albums. Not incidentally, several of her recent hits have been slower-tempo love songs.