You Can Dance - Critical Reception

Critical Reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
Source Rating
Allmusic
Blender
Chicago Tribune (Positive)
Robert Christgau (A–)
Miami Herald (Positive)
Rolling Stone
USA Today (Mixed)
The Washington Post (Positive)

Stephen Thomas Erlewine from Allmusic said that " keeps the spotlight on her first record, adding non-LP singles like 'Into the Groove' for good measure, along with a bonus track of 'Where's the Party'. Since it's a dance album, it doesn't matter that 'Holiday' and 'Into the Groove' are here twice, once each in dub versions, because the essential grooves and music are quite different in each incarnation. It is true that some of this now sounds dated—these are quite clearly extended mixes from the mid 80s—but that's part of its charm, and it all holds together quite well. Not essential, but fun." Blender magazine reviewer Tony Power rated it one star out of five, doubting the necessity of such a dance remix album, when the singer's hits were already danceable. He further added that "Madonna’s snappiest tunes are bloated and stretched." Robert Christgau considered that "the effects, repeats, breaks, and segues added by a star crew of remixers amount to new music—this time the songs don't surface, they reach out and grab you". He also argued that You Can Dance reminded the audience that before MTV, they "loved the way she sounded". Author J. Randy Taraborrelli noted that "You Can Dance made one point clear about Madonna. While she was evolving into a serious pop star, musically she still knew how to host the best party." He complimented the remixed versions of "Holiday", "Everybody", "Physical Attraction" and "Into the Groove". Timothy Green from The Miami Herald said that " got a good beat and you can dance to it. Madonna's new album isn't really new, but rather a collection of danceable hits, remixed by club deejays masterful at that peculiar art of taking the artists' work, track by track, and reconstructing it. Most such remixes become 12-inch dance singles, and You Can Dance, is basically a compilation of these. The remixes sound fresh and gives a new outlook on the already famous and popular songs." Jan DeKnock from the Chicago Tribune was not impressed with the album, calling it calculative. However, Daniel Brogan from the same newspaper praised the album, saying that "Madonna has brought a new joy to the people buying gifts for Christmas, as You Can Dance is a fun-filled, fast-paced retrospective that will burn the dance floor till New Year." Richard Harrington from The Washington Post called the album "an energetic collection of extended dance remixes, that will surely be the highlight of the party crowds flocking around the town." John Milward from USA Today felt that "although the remixes sound a little exhaustive, its nevertheless party time with Madonna's album."

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