American Life | 
 enlarge | Artist: Madonna
Label: Warner Bros / Wea
Category: Music
List Price: $27.98
Buy New: $4.49
You Save: $23.49 (84%)
New (35) Used (13) Collectible (6) from $3.00
Rating:  95 reviews
Sales Rank: 61514
Format: Enhanced, Explicit Lyrics, Limited Edition, Special Edition
Media: Audio CD
Discs: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.3
Dimensions (in): 5.6 x 5.5 x 1.2
MPN: 48440
UPC: 766481063445
EAN: 0093624844020
ASIN: B00008S2VH
Publication Date: 2003
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Condition: Still factory sealed! Mint condition! Barcode is marked.
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| Tracks:
| • | American Life | | • | Hollywood | | • | I'm So Stupid | | • | Love Profusion | | • | Nobody Knows Me | | • | Nothing Fails | | • | Intervention | | • | X-Static Process | | • | Mother & Father | | • | Die Another Day - from the MGM motion picture Die Another Day | | • | Easy Ride |
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| Customer Reviews:
 War inspired music?? August 21, 2008
research gurl (Ohio)
As horrible as war was and is, it inspired many great musicians of the 60's and 70's to produce music that is still being played today. They wrote not just songs, but anthems of peace and people coming together to work out differences and questioned everything "the machine" was making people say and do.
The cover of the album and the music video for "AL", as well as the song inspired by the war in Iraq, as well as war in general, falls flat and even through the floor. It is hard to take her serious dressed in combat gear while she is rapping about drivers, nannies, chefs, and weight issues. She also explores religion as she has in the past, but does not live up to her past explorations.
The pain of never recovering from the loss of her mother is still evident, but this time we hear it in a high pitched altered "child's" voice. While able to believe she still has pain over this, her inner child need not make another guest appearance on any album ever.
The most likable and honest track is "Nobody Knows Me" which rings true in every sense for this album, because being everywhere at once means being nowhere at all. This mish-mesh project may have had good intentions, but does not deliver.
It took me four years to buy this album, three listens and back on Amazon it went. One of her worst albums to date. I recommend skipping this one.
 Her last creative record before sliding into the unfortunate realm of mediocrity. August 9, 2008
D. Bryant
A flawless pop album. The production and lyrics are both risky and original. The cover art ranks among the best I've ever seen. Fortunately, the limited edition succeeds in extending the visual theme perfectly. This was Madonna's last creative work before re-charting her course to that of courting pop culture's embrace instead of leading it. The Mirwais stuttering technique, which sounds a bit jarring and gimmicky on Music, has been refined and finessed to perfection on this record. I find it impossible to lean towards a favorite composition as each of the songs is so well conceived. American Life represents worthwhile listening for many years to come.
Was Madonna a G-A-Y Man in a Past Live...? November 20, 2007
lettylynton
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
As a child of the 80's, I was a crazed-Madonna-fanatic. I literally grew up with Madonna. Everything she did was always such a huge, world-wide spectacle. Because, Madonna was once, arguably, the most famous human being on this entire planet. I always loved how Madonna would disappear for a few years and then come back as a totally different person; she always sounded so different, acted different and of course, she looked completely unique. Some say that Madonna cannot act; I tend to disagree. The most difficult, challenging and intricate role she has ever played was "Madonna." Who knows, maybe she had Dissociative Identity Disorder...?
Out of all of the incarnations that Queen-Madonna possessed (or should I say possessed Queen-Madonna?) I prefer the relatively short-lived "American Life" phase. During this "era" (Winter-Spring '03,) Madonna was the catalyst. She talked about nuclear testing and was very interested in the peace-effort. With her jet-black hair, form-fitting military fatigues and now-trademark "American Life" beret, Madonna resembled a fighter who was out to "change the world" so to speak.
If you're unfamiliar with Madonna's impressive musical resume and do not know where to start, look no further, because you are home with "American Life." This is truly Madonna's best record in years. Because (maybe for the first time?) she wasn't just playing a part. Yes, I know she got all dressed up for the cameras. But her music and lyrics were so real and fundamental. She revealed so much of herself on this CD.
Of course, I love the title-track, lead-single and most controversial song on this album, "American Life." Madonna sings about all the cliches that society thinks about her, but she is nothing more than the "American dream." In staccato, she even raps for us. You might remember Madonna had the music-video pulled before it even debuted within the US. This was one of the only times in Madonna's 20+ year career where she publicly showed a sense of contriteness and humility.
"Mother & Father," "Hollywood," and "X-Static Process" are three first-rate songs that I also especially enjoyed. On these songs alone, Madonna brings the listener into her lone world. You will be able to look inside Madonna's intricate mind and actually see what makes her tick. You don't have to like what you see, and you don't even have to respect her; but you can't deny that she was (is?) a bona fide, unabashed iconoclast.
My favorite track on this CD and one of (if not my favorite song, ever) is "Nobody Knows Me." It is pure artistic poetry. And, I was always disappointed that "Nobody Knows Me" didn't come out as a full single. Like a cat holding onto her last breath, Madonna starts this song out by singing, "I've had so many lives." She goes on to tell us that she isn't "that kind of guy." Nope. The real Madonna is shy and introverted. She may have once sung about "expressing yourself," and telling him where to stick it, but in the end Madonna's just a shy housewife that's content on standing behind her man. (Incidentally, does anyone else believe that Madonna was once a g-a-y man in a past life?) Madonna also sings about a "social disease." This phrase is so funny, because there was once a time that "social disease" was a euphemism for HIV/AIDS (when society was too bigoted to actually talk about this ;) and everyone knows how Madonna was always such a teacher as far as AIDS-prevention/education was concerned. On second thought though, maybe Madonna's social disease isn't sexual? Instead it is more deep-rooted. The "social disease" that she is singing about is personal intimacy. The day this album came out, I went to a release party in celebration of Madonna's latest work in Greenwich Village. But Madonna took off early. Like Greta Garbo, Madonna just wants to be let alone; maybe that's why nobody knows her?
...and you know I'm satisfied... October 22, 2007
Dani Longley (Clean Green, USA)
This album just makes me want more. Also recommend the remixes of this album!
Creative and interesting, with one small mistake. April 6, 2004
exiledcal (USA)
3 out of 5 found this review helpful
This is a solid album. Madonna's releases probably often suffer from comparison to her previous efforts that turned into megahits, so let's step back and try to judge this in the here and now on its own merit. Most of the compositions are in minor key, which gives this album a sometimes wistful and sad tone. The songs "Hollywood," "Love Profusion," and "Easy Ride" are beautiful; and "American Life," "Nobody Knows Me," & "Die Another Day" are very catchy and addictive. I enjoy listening to the lyrics and appreciate that she is apparently continually trying to open herself up and grow and express herself. Her voice has grown by leaps and bounds ever since "Evita," and I love her guitar playing. I also like the electronica that has been part of her songs since "Ray of Light." The only thing I don't like on this album: the rap sequences in "American Life" and "Mother and Father." They just don't seem to belong and sound a bit silly. Overall this is a great CD.
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