Achtung Baby U2
Reviewed by Diane Sylvan

U2 on a pagan music list. You betcha baby. The songs of Achtung have a mythic quality to them that speaks to a lot of Pagans I know--who can deny the obvious overtones of "Mysterious Ways?" The image from the "One" video of a herd of buffalo running toward a cliff has tremendous staying power, as does the song and the entire album.

Ray of Light Madonna
Reviewed by Diane Sylvan

The reason I love Madonna is the reason so many people hate her: she has absolutely no fear. She's a musical and fashion chameleon, changing her look and sound more often than I change my hair color, and pulls it all off with an "If you don't like it, screw you" attitude that I adore. She's not afraid of sex, or culture, of change, of motherhood--she can do it all, and does. Ray of Light is the chronicle of her spiritual awakening and the birth of her daughter, and shows Madonna's more than her breasts. The lyrics reflect a search for meaning and a desire to give her child a better world.

Karma Delirium
Reviewed by Diane Sylvan

This one was hard to categorize, since it's served as both sacred and secular music to me (I'm no longer able to quite tell the difference). It's a blend of ambient, dance, and pop, and has an Enigma-like appeal heavy on the chants and rounded-off, trancey beats. Several songs have guest vocalists, most notably "Silence" with Sarah McLachlan, which is one of those songs that makes your heartbeat flip over.

Gypsy Soul: New Flamenco Narada
Reviewed by Diane Sylvan

There's a Latin beat buried somewhere deep in me, and flamenco tends to send it roaring out of hiding. This collection features a variety of artists, most interestingly Slash (formerly of Guns 'N Roses) in a lovely performance on acoustic guitar. Great for dancing to or cooking spicy foods.