American Life - Madonna
American Life Image
Metascore

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

User Score

Universal acclaim- based on 152 Ratings

  • 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."
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 17
  2. Negative: 3 out of 17
  1. 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. 80
    It wouldn't be wildly inappropriate to identify American Life as an early 21st-century update of Love's Forever Changes, effecting as it does a similarly eerie ambivalence with its fusion of mind-altering sonics and mellow acoustics. [Jun 2003, p.94]
  3. 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]
  4. For once, Madonna has stumbled not because she reached too far, but because she didn't reach far enough.

See all 17 Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 74 out of 83
  2. Negative: 6 out of 83
  1. 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. KiwiJ
    8
    This is a schizophrenic album that revels a rather confused Madonna, both lyrically and musically. Generally, the more acoustic, more romantic songs (Love Profusion, Nothing Fails) are way more successful that the more preachy, techno ones (American Life, I'm So Stupid), which makes one wonder whether the whole album would have been better as a more low key acoustic affair. Its vilification is certain media is wholly unwarranted as it contains some beautiful songs and as an artist she is still streets ahead of her challengers. Perhaps though a break with Mirwais might be a good thing for the next album. Expand
  3. 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
  4. bobbyk
    4
    Sad. She sounds so sad. Plus her lyrics are in the forefront of this second Mirwais production and they are horrible. Rapping about coffee? C'mon! Madonna, you still have William Orbit on speed dial don't you? Expand

See all 83 User Reviews