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American Life

(2003, Pop, by Madonna, Label: Warner Brothers)
  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 13, age appropriate for kids over 14; suggested age 13.
  • Is it any good?

    2.0
  • Common Sense says

    Madge is off the mark in songs of regret, doubt.

Why We Rated This iffy for Ages 13–14

The good stuff

  • Messages:

    Although she doesn't endorse obvious antisocial behavior, Madonna describes herself as confused and unhappy in many tracks, making her less than an admirable role model in this album.
 

What to watch out for

  • Violence:

    Not an issue.
  • Sex:

    Sex is not mentioned explicitly, although there are references to love and yearning. A stranger's "social disease" appears to refer to consumerism rather than STDs. "American Life" mentions gender confusion in a way that may be metaphorical ("I tried to be a boy/I tried to be a girl/I tried to be a mess/I tried to be the best").
  • Language:

    The explicit version of the title track contains isolated use of four letter words beginning with "F" and "S."
  • Consumerism:

    In the album's wittiest lines, the title track ironically describes the rich life: "I got a lawyer and a manager/an agent and a chef/three nannies, an assistant/and a driver and a jet."
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Other than infrequent references to feeling "fuzzy" in her past, drugs and alcohol are not mentioned.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About American Life

Parents need to know that the unedited version has a few four-letter words. Both versions refer to gender and religious confusion; for example, "I'm not a Christian and I'm not a Jew" (in "American Life"). Other songs refer to Jesus Christ, Satan, and prayer. In "Mother and Father," Madonna laments the death of her mother when she was a child.

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about the religious references -- and the seeming confusion Madonna has as she sings of her beliefs. What place does religion play in today's pop music?

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Most Recent Reviews

  1. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in Illinois
    I rate this title on for age 13 and give it 4.0

    ...Madonna shows she can do folk!

    This album is one of the best albums I've ever heard. All of the songs on this album are awesome, except "Nobody Knows Me" and "Mother and Father". Madonna has tried a lot of things that I know of: dance/pop, rock, bossa nova (on "Ray of Light"), electronic ("Ray of Light"), jazz (...), and soft rock ("Crazy For You"). This album is very...emotional. The guitars are sometimes the only instruments; it's very basic, plain acoustic melodes (a.k.a. folk). The lyrics rock, and so does the music. "Nothing Fails" is probably the best song of all time. Madonna has outdone herself again!! "Die Another Die" is also a wonderful.

  2. Teen Reviewer Age 15
    Lives in Maryland
    I rate this title off for age 2 and give it 1.0

    !!PLEASE LISTEN!!

    I SWARE ITS NOT WORTH IT!! YOUNG008

  3. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in Illinois
    I rate this title off for age 2 and give it 0.0

    Well, Madonna Cannot Rap and She Sould Watch Her Potty Mouth!

    Hmmm, what could I possible say positive about this album, hmmm something yes and something no. She has a few songs that are not bad. However, the title cut and a lot of others just does not do anything for me. My suggestion, save you money! Not worth the the time to even listen to such garbage. Madonna needs to go back to the old style and clean it up!

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