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American Life (by Madonna, Pop)

common sense media says

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

parents & educators say
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What parents need to know

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.

Positive 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.
Violence: Not applicable.
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.
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What to talk about

Talk to your kids
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?

What's the story?

What's the story?
Long known for an almost feral capacity to sniff out the emerging trend, in AMERICAN LIFE Madonna is more haunted than hunter. Her past mistakes seem to weigh heavily, as she berates or pities herself in song after song. This wearisome self-flagellation might induce sympathy or at least reflection, were it not expressed with numbing repetition. For example, Madonna complains, "I'm so stupid/I was stupid/Stupider than stupid/Stupider than stupid" (in "I'm So Stupid"). More is again less in "Love Profusion," where 20 times she chants, "I've got you under my skin," without a trace of Cole Porter's melodious zing. Bad poetry abounds in "Nobody Knows Me," where we are treated to, "I'm not that kind of guy/ Sometimes I feel shy/ I think I can fly/ Closer to the sky."

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 
Though Madonna rejects her past choices, such as the religion of her childhood ("Mother and Father"), she offers no replacement philosophy. Instead, judging by tracks like "I'm So Stupid" and "X-Static Process" ("Don't know who I'm supposed to be/Don't know what I believe"), she seems without moral compass, and not sure of what she wants to say. Perhaps Madonna was striving for Hemingway-like economy, but the writing is without guts, sinew, or inspiration.

Music themes & details

Music Details
Released on: April 22, 2003
Label: Warner Brothers
Genre: Pop
Parental advisory: Yes
Edited version available: Yes
This review was written by Cynthea Riesenberg
 
 

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Most useful reviews by all members

brattonm_2006
adult
 
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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Young008
teen, 17 years old
 
!!PLEASE LISTEN!!
I SWARE ITS NOT WORTH IT!! YOUNG008
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Michael G.
adult
 
...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.
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