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.

she can't please everyone, she never tried so why do people still act like she will this time. the songs on the album are a fresh direction that she and mirwais with music's don't tell me. although i thoroughly enjoyed music i wasn't giddy over that particular track on american life it works, and rather well. the album is a mix of a few upbeat signiture mirwais electro and slower ballad like tracks were she spreads some of her wisdom, which can at times interfere with the groove but coming from her it doesn't sound as contrived after further listening. lyrics aside what has always kept her alfoat and ahead were the neats. its easy to see why for the first time in her career she has worked with the same principle producer twice. mirwais is by far among the most inventive and unique producers in contemporary music. the music is evidently affected by the recent progression of electroclash but acousticly so, if that makes sense it also strikes me similar to the petshops boys acoustic masterpeice release when she gets more acoustic then electronic. it might be too cool for some, judging by some of the reactions in the media but at the end its a solid record, killer new beats and more madonna. … Expand

A fan I am, that i'll admit. But I consider myself to be a non-emotive and objective one. I am disappointed in (the single) 'American Life'. I think it is dreadful and even worse to make it the first single. The rest of the album's lyrics are mostly mediocre and you can't help but want to add your own here and there. Conversely, there are gems in this album. Hollywood, Intervention, X-static process. This is not my favourite Madonna album, nor is it my worst.… Expand

This is an ace CD and the best song (my song of the year so far) is "Nothing Fails" - infinitely moving. Mirwais' production is top-notch, there's something different in each, and while "Mother and Father" can be a bit cringeworthy at times ("I had a mother/It was *nice*), the album as a whole is outstanding and not the sonic monstrostity most reviewers would have you believe. BUY IT!

the music is great, and her voice is pretty decent. but for the most part, the lyrics are really weak.

With the exception of her 007 theme song "Die Another Day", the rest of the CD is 1 total yawner. The title track is brutally bad bad bad!

People, we have to see the evolution of the human being and the music evolution. We have to open our minds to a new things that we define as changes. We are tired of the same style of music. So, I think that the CD is a good one. Maybe one of the best.

Excellent album.

An excellent Madonna album. Songs such as "Intervention," "Nothing Fails," and "X-Static Process" really pull this album together.

Awesome.

On one hand , it's bloomed with brave and uncanny electro sounds. On the other hand, it's just too typical Mirwais.

Awesome.

Un album intimiste et sans exubérance auquel madonna ne nous avait jamais préparé...Exit l'innovation de music,mais bonjour à la cohésion en tant qu'album qui faisait défaut à son prédécesseur...un excellent album, à l'exception de l'excès de vocoder sur nobody's know me, et particulièrement la magnifique pièce nothing fails!!!… Expand

It's a really good album, just wait till you hear "Hollywood" the second single. A great song.

Give it a few listens before making up your mind. This is truly her best albulm.

A new fan... This collection of songs grow and change with each listen. TO listen to , not just hear. Among her best!! "push the button", "don't push the button" Love it...

It truly is quite awful. In her quest for weaving social activism into her new tracks, it seems that she has completely forgotten how to, well, create a song at all. The title track, for example, starts out fine, and then, in its pre-final moments, propels itself into the empyrean of excrutiaing audible torture. 2003's biggest failure thus far.

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

Genius!

One of her best works yet, but I think Die Another Day should have stayed out of this record.

Great!

It's different but worth listening to. It grows on you.

Her best. Critics don´t know shit.

don't believe the negative reviews

What if it was about Palestinians or Islamic society? wouldn't it have been great?

Her best album. Take a bow! She is master!

That's why I hate American music critics: they are all offended when we talk badly about American government! So they give bad reviews and grades. This is one of her best albums (for me, it's her best), and nobody can't deny. I see also another solution: Bush paid them to underrate this masterpiece.

An fantastically produced album by Madonna and Mirwais, American Life is a 'tell all' album with some excellent hard hitting tracks-American Life,Hollywood,Love profusion,Nobody knows Me,Nothing Fails,Die Another Day & Easy Ride are all fabulous tracks.

Her most underrated album by far-- those who doubt that Madonna is a musician should listen to this album.

Critics are afraid of what they don't understand; some will hate this album because it dares to be different. It's an original LP. I really like it a lot! The best songs are Nothing Fails, Hollywood, Mother & Father and Intervention.

Was prepared to loathe it, but it's quite good. It's really producer Mirwais's record -- she's just an appendage of sorts, the production's rubbery AND crisp -- lot's of addictive electro layering, Cher's hijacked and run amok vocoder, and smart synth flourishes -- helping unfocus the banal lyrics -- some of her worst ever, but then she never was Joni Mitchell in that department. … Expand

Very good disc. My opinion says it's better than Ray of Light and Music.

Gone are the wild years of Madonna, and I'm not necessarily talking about the way she looks but her music. This is just another "ok" electronic records. But who cares that she's doing this kind of music, I'll just listen to Crystal Method or Underworld if want the real deal!! The thing is, these days all we hear is Rap, R n' B, Pop-Techno crap and all of the above. It's all so saturated. All I say is now's a good time to INNOVATE! And Madonna is losing that grip; An area where she use to excel at.… Expand

A nice listen, with some beautiful guitar based tracks, and some wonderful dance tunes. Not my favorite Madonna album, but her voice is much richer than her last work.

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?

This is a great album. Only "Ray of Light" is a better album by Madonna. Yes, I think it even beats "Like A Prayer." Unfortunately, someone thought the title track should be a single. That someone thought wrong. The title track is one of the weakest tracks on the album, far inferior to the majority of the material. "Love Profusion" is an absolutely rapturous concoction that may become one of my all-time favorite songs. A few songs may have weak lyrics, but the grooves underneath them more than make up for it. Only "I'm So Stupid" and "Easy Ride" fail to impress on the same level and even they are better than the majority of the horrible songs you hear on the radio nowadays. And I'd like to criticize the critics about their reviews for this album: please review the work and not Madonna. We don't need to know how bitter you are that you will never be her.… Expand

Madonna is struggling to do what she has always been good at - being interesting. This album is her soccer-mom manifesto. "Die Another Day" and "Hollywood" are the only highlights and the rest is completely uneventful. Even "Hollywood" rates average for her singles - slightly less effective than "Secret" from Bedtime Stories. Stay away or you will be disappointed.

too cool....

Rather deep and introspective, but brilliant all the same. 'Mother & father', 'Intervention', 'Easy ride' are awesome!!! 10 out of 10. Almost her best cd yet.

It's perfect. Although Ray of Light is better, this album is about her and it haven't got a comercial prospect, like other albums of other artist.

This album is still good. But Madonna has turned into a kinda boring, middle age artist who is preocupated by the problems of the world. I liked her more fun and sexy.

Despite receiving heavily mixed reviews and a poor reception on the album charts, any music aficionado with a true appreciation of Madonna's work will see that "American Life" is easily her best album to date - Yes, it's even better than "Ray Of Light"! Lyrically, it's the most personal stuff Madge has ever written; and musically, it's even better. It's back to basic acoustics on the beautiful "X-Static Process," while "Nothing Fails" is easily one of the best songs Madonna has ever produced. Mirwais's electronic touch is present on the title track and "Nobody Knows Me," while Michel Colombier's sensational string arrangements are featured in "Die Another Day" and "Easy Ride". Madonna's "American Life", to reiterate, is her best album ever as well as the best album of 2003.… Expand

Madonna is middle-aged and it shows. This cd bored me to tears, tears of pity.

I'm not really a Madonna fan but I took a chance on this album and LOVED it. I highly recommend it and feel the critics who have given it poor marks should give it a couple more listens -- I think they'd change their mind.

One of Madonna's best CDs and probably her most personal one. It's very enjoyable with the exception of a couple of songs. Track ratings: American Life- B- Hollywood- C+ I'm So Stupid- D Love Profusion- A+ Nobody Knows Me- A Nothing Fails- A Intervention- A X-Static Process- A- Mother & Father- A+ Die Another Day- B+ Easy Ride- A+

Another excellent record from Madonna. I get so sick of reading stupid reviews by people who have an opinion on something they're not familiar with and have not listened to the record. As usual, most of the criticisms about her work are not really about the record, they're about Madonna -her aging (as if no-one ages!), her unwillingness to continue churning out dated 80s style pop-craft (as if continuing to do so is better than evolving, apparently what the small-minded would like her to do - "I like her 80s stuff" - of course, then if she did, she would be criticized for not moving on), that she's not relevent (apparently because only young people matter and only they have wise things to say or that style trends of youth make more interesting entertainment than thought-provoking, adventerous music). The only thing I have to say against the record are the 1st 2 singles "Die" and "A. Life." These songs truly suck and now all the haters have some ammunition to make their case. Even this is wrong because everyone as great as Madonna - from Aretha and Elvis to the Stones and Eminem put out weak work from time to time. Somehow no-one will tolerate that from her. When I heard Em's "Cleaning out My Closet" that was about the worst song of last year, but then he does "Sing for the Moment," one of the best uses of sampling ever, and easily one of the best this year. Don't count someone out when one or two of their ideas doesn't work. Maybe three or four in a row, then maybe that's fair. Anyway, a very fine record. I love "Love Profusion," "Mother and Father," "X-Static Process," and much of the rest. About as soul-searching as modern music gets. I would give it 10 if "Die" and "American" were substituted for kick ass (or even mediocre) tracks - they are HORRID!! Overall a good one.… Expand

Although not as good as Ray of Light or Music, it is able to prove that Madonna is still on top.

Maybe not the Madonna album to be expected but then again maybe it is in a re-invention matter of speaking. Maybe one of her most personal cd´s overall, and Mr Mirwais as becoming one of her most influential producers. American Life , the song that is, nicely balancing straight forward sounding couplets with a melodic kind of refrain,just like Madonna did with songs like Ray of Light and Sky fits Heaven. Nothings Fails,a great popsong in the actual meaning of the word, the most revolutionary James Bond song ever, This together with the pounding Hollywood and the static Nobody knows me ,makes this album stand out on the levels; Personal, Unique and Daring in every way. Cherish it… Expand

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

Features the euphoric Nothing Fails, lyrical gem Intervention, and the stop the presses this is the shit EASY RIDE. Not the dance Pop record you typically expect from her...but those expectations be damned this is a deeply personal and solid piece of work. Only misteps are the title track and I'm so stupid. Everything else is top notch!

This is her best album I just can't believe, that SHE had this produced. Better then "Ray of Light"

a big letdown. could this be the end of her musical career?

I love this record...

better than the next one, really! the thumping sounds kept on playing inside my mind!

One of her best album! Too much underrated!

Depressing, how 'Music' got 20 points higher than Madonna's ricochet album, 'American Life'. The album is full of acoustic guitars, sounds of nature and blurred vocals. Definitely less commercial, less accessible. Yet, perhaps her best album. 'Hollywood' is the ballad, grieving over our society's up-and-coming superficiality. 'Intervention'; and 'I'm So Stupid' are clever and eclectic. The album does suffer weaker moments, yet the overall agenda seems to fit quite well. This would definitely make my top 3 Madonna cds.… Expand

it's simple and beautiful....not over done with bleeps and other confusion

It's different, yet Madonna...It took me a while to enjoy it, but as the music goes on, I enjoy it more and more

More consistent than Music.

Absolutely, postively genius. It's pure sonic brilliance...don't listen to the critics...Madonna is always changing, and if this CD is any indication, she's growing as an artist. Best songs: Hollywood Nothing Fails Intervention X-Static Process One of her best albums yet...

the critics are ridiculous and its obvious they didn't really listen to this album. far better than Music.

Loved the beats, espically the mellow sounds of "nothing fails", "Love Profusion", and espically "Intervention". I found the lyrics to be a little simple at times, but still enjoyable. Overall, I would recommend the album; it is definatly worth a close listen.

While "Ray of Light" is her best work, this is truly a successful progression from that CD and from "Music." I play the CD everyday and must tell you that the more you listen to it, the more you will like it. It does not immediately grab you, but rather sneaks up on you. Do you really want another "Immaculate Collection?" C'mon! It's 2003 and Madonna is still innovative and fresh. What else do you have to ask for?… Expand

"American Life" and "Die Another Day" are by far the worst 2 singles of her entire career. Even worse, they were released back to back - it is unfathomable she followed up the greatness of Ray of Light and Music with this crap. Who was out to lunch when these were released?? I was totally ready to hate this record, borderline ready to pass on it. Curiosity got the best of me and I am glad because, much to my surprise, American Life (the album) is a very, very good record in spite of the first two singles. Had she had a song as potent as "Music" to kick off her new album instead of the terrible "American Life" and had she left "Die" off it could have been her best record. Tracks 4-9 (which is most of the album) are precious, and "Mother and Father" might very well be the highlight of her entire career, even if it is fated to be overlooked. Overall, very, very good work, next time, Madonna, you need to have a killer lead-off single. And release a quality video for it as well. Sort of killed the fate of the record by releasing such rubbish for a lead-off single. Made it worse by not releasing the original video. Madonna's career was so hot coming off of Music that "Die Another Day" still at least made the Top 10, but after 2 in a row she is going to have to make a comeback for the first time in her career.… Expand

beautiful album.why does feeling love and sharing it,make her boring?i prefer when she disturbs the norm but can appreciate this album,the message and mood.the first single was more a political statement than anything else,but once you forgive that.....it soars. "and i know that love will change us forever...." indeed.

I love Madonna very much, and I think this album is one of her best ones. She 's always changing her look and style and I like that. This album is totally different from the previous ones. I gave her an 8 and not a 10 because there are some songs that i think are not in her style: (I'm so stupid). But hollwood is VEEERY Madonna, it's full of glamour (and ofcourse its music video helps). I was very surprised because of that american life music video thing. I saw pieces of the original one and I thought it was just FANTASTIC, but ... but I love the single though, especially the rap of it. Love profusion is not one of my favourite but i think its a good song and the music video is something i ve never seen before. My favourite single in this album is the last one: easy ride. I love orchestral music and this single has it all! I really appreciate the fact that now, finally, Madonna is changing for the best. Her lyrics talk about morality and she s telling us fans that she s in love in various ways (x-static process, Intervention, Love profusion and Nothing fails). The latter is simply beautiful! the pity is that she goes on repeting the same phrase... and by the way, I think that britney snog was a big mistake. From that point onwards, the hollywood single went down! She was looking for publicity (as she always do) and she got it, a bad one though! anyway, whatever she does or say, for me she's always be THE QUEEN OF POP.… Expand

Now that "Confessions..." has come out and I have listened to "American Life" numerous times. This album is underestimated. It takes sometime to warm up to though. The lyrical content is better than "Confessions..." Key songs "Love Profusion", "Intervention", "American Life" (minus rapping), "Mother and Father", "X-Static Process". As time goes this album will be considered just as good as her other albums.… Expand

Beautiful music

Not the best Madonna album ever, but still love it.

Stop the criticism the album is great songs like nothing fails,mother and father,x-tactic process stand out....weak songs are American life and i'm so stupid.

Very experimental. Overall not her best work, but tracks such as "Hollywood", "American Life" and "Love Profusion" are outstanding. A noteworthy direction for Madonna's musical career.

A highly underrated album that will end up getting more respect years from now.

I have to give a credit for this album, because i didn't like it when i heard it first time .. i still remember and that it just stayed there for fue weeks, and than i started to listen again and this is the best album still for me, love all the songs. This is better than MUSIC, Ray of light or Confessions, at least for me. Thy lyrics are good and the feeling that this cd gives is undescribable - magic happens.… Expand

Very underrated. People, including critics, seem to only be judging the pop tracks and not really listening to the ballads which really showcase Madonna's vocals. Excellent album, terrible critical response

"American Life" is noted as one of Madonna's most underrated album to date. And yes, I agree 100 percent. But this doesn't mean just the lyrics itself. The lead track "American Life", unfortunately, describes the album fully, but tracks like "Love Profusion", "Nothing Fails" and "Mother and Father" describe Madonna in the purest of way. But letdowns are also obvious as well. "I'm So Stupid" is a bit too describable, and "Nobody Knows Me" is a bit too strong on Madonna's personal side... But overall, the album doesn't dissapoint for fan approval.... Just critical approval.… Expand

Absolutely perfect. The most fantastic album ever made by a singer. The triumph of perfection, sounds and feels. From "Hung Up" to "Let it will be", every single song is mixed perfectly!

Apesar das faixas repetitivas, American Life é um bom álbum. Musicas como Hollywood e Nobody Knows Me são completamente descartáveis, mas faixas como Love Profusion e Mother And Father fazem a viagem valer a pena.

With songs that range from idle club beats to thought-provoking personal poems, this is her most reflective album yet. Though far from perfect, nothing beats a raw, experimental but meaningful move from a once Material Girl pop starlet.