 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
American Life
Common Sense Media says
Madge is off the mark in songs of regret, doubt.
Parents say
Kids say
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.
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?
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.
What 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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AGE
!!PLEASE LISTEN!!
I SWARE ITS NOT WORTH IT!!
YOUNG008
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AGE
...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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AGE
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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| Artist: | Madonna |
| Release date: | April 22, 2003 |
| Label: | Warner Brothers |
| Genre: | Pop |
| Parental advisory: | Yes |
| Edited version available: | Yes |
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