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American Life - Madonna
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Metascore
60 out of 100

Mixed or average reviews - based on 17 Critics What's this?

User Score
8.4 out of 10

Universal acclaim- based on 128 Ratings

Your Score
10 out of 10
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  • Summary: Madonna's second collaboration with French electronic producer Mirwais includes the lead single title track as well as her recent James Bond theme, "Die Another Day."

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 17
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 17
  3. Negative: 3 out of 17
  1. E! Online
    83
    Aside from the thumping groove of "Nobody Knows Me" and a few other bouncy beats, much of the electro style Madonna experimented with on 2000's Music has been replaced with warmer sounds and earthy touches, like acoustic guitars and a choir that comes from nowhere on "Nothing Fails."
  2. Mojo
    60
    American Life is revealing and diverting -- no bad things in a record -- but in the end the brow-beating, finger-wagging and psycho-babbling take their toll. [May 2003, p.86]
    All this publication's reviews
  3. Stylus Magazine
    36
    For once, Madonna has stumbled not because she reached too far, but because she didn't reach far enough.

See all 17 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 71 out of 80
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 80
  3. Negative: 6 out of 80
  1. TommyA
    10
    American Life is Madonna's most underrated album. You can tell from reviews all around the web that it's a love it or hate it album. It's definitely not in-your-face pop, so I would avoid this one if you're just looking for radio-friendly material. On this album, we see Madonna at her most vulnerable. From the cynical American Life to the touching Mother and Father, Madonna takes us on a tour of her world. I applaud her guts, especially for the American Life video, which raised controversy like never before. Notable tracks: American Life, Love Profusion, Nothing Fails, X-Static Process.… Expand
    • 2 of 2 users said yes
  2. Levvy
    5
    A massive letdown. It sounds like a dim imitation of its predeccessor. The only true standouts are: Love Profusion, Intervention, X-Static Process and Easy Ride.… Expand
    • 1 of 1 users said yes
  3. BenjaminBunny
    2
    Oh wow, Madonna's, like, SO HARDCORE!! Check out those radical photos in the booklet--geddit? She's a REVOLUTIONARY! What ANGST!! Grrrrrr! Whatever. "Music" was the best LP of this ubercelebrity's career, and "American Life" is the worst. Madonna needs to buy herself a clue, God knows she can afford it: when shallow marketing-driven pop stars try to get deep it makes them look STUPID because, well Madonna--you're a shallow marketing-driven pop star! You're a vehicle for producers and songwriters to come together and make money. Yes, you're pretty, but your poetry sucks! So quit yer pathetic, incessant whining on this LP and get back to just singing other people's catchy songs. Like anyone with EVER sympathize with Madonna feeling alienated? Give me a break. The song "I'm So Stupid" may be the most revealing moment of her career. In her best Shirley Manson impression she sings "I'm so stupid/ Cause I used to live / In a fuzzy dream." Not only is this the worst line/song of her career, it's sadly revealing, but not for the reasons Madonna intended. Listening to this album, I'm overwhelmingly convinced of something I have known all along: Madonna is STUPID. The "Music" LP is fantastic because she sticks to what she does best--big hooks, big beats. Here she tries really, really hard to get personal. Figures she didn't realize that she'd look retarded. Career ending mistake!!… Expand
    • 0 of 2 users said yes

See all 80 User Reviews

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