"Erotica" remains the most rampantly misrepresented Madonna album with the biggest backlash of her career. Taraborrelli commented that it is unfortunate that "Erotica" has to be historically linked to other less memorable ventures in Madonna's career at this time. However, he quipped that the album should be considered on its own merits, not only as one linked to the other two adult-oriented projects, because it has true value. When asked to name her biggest professional disappointment, Madonna answered, "The fact that my "Erotica" album was overlooked because of the whole thing with the "Sex" book. It just got lost in all that. I think there's some brilliant songs on it and people didn't give it a chance." Brian McNair observed that Madonna took a financial risk with the album and it was not until "Ray of Light" (1998) that her record sales recovered to pre-"Erotica" levels. He further asserted that "what she lost in royalty payments, however, Madonna more than made up for in iconic status and cultural influence."