Album of the Day

Released this month in 1983, Madonna's self-titled Sire Records debut brought dance music out of the doghouse to which it had been consigned since the last days of disco. Cut with remixer/producer Jellybean Benitez, the collection reflects the sounds of New York's trendiest clubs, with the latest synthesizers and drum machines prominent in the mix, though there are plenty of old-school hooks in these songs - “Holiday” and Top 10 singles “Borderline” and “Lucky Star” would've been hits in any era. Add in the singer's girlish appeal (and tireless work ethic), and the set's 10 million worldwide sales become inevitable. In 2008, Entertainment Weekly named MADONNA one of the ten best albums of the previous quarter-century, and even a cursory listen makes the point tough to argue.