American Life
by
American Life Image
Metascore
60

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

User Score
8.5

Universal acclaim- based on 482 Ratings

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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."

Top Track

Die Another Day
I'm gonna wake up Yes and no! I'm gonna kiss Some part of I'm gonna keep This secret I'm gonna close My body now I guess I die Another day I guess I... See the rest of the song lyrics
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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. Billboard
    80
    Unlike recent collections Music and Ray of Light, the lyrical content of American Life relies less on spiritual introspection and more on woman-in-the-mirror confrontation.
  3. New Musical Express (NME)
    70
    All perfectly good stuff, technically excellent. But 'American Life' also feels like an unnecessary sequel, a 'Men In Black II', made because hell, if it ain't broke...
  4. Q Magazine
    60
    It's a record about being Madonna. [Jun 2003, p.90]
    All this publication's reviews
  5. AllMusic
    60
    Overall, American Life is better for what it promises than what it delivers, and it's better in theory than practice.
  6. Blender
    60
    That's both the best and the worst thing about this album: The music is much more eloquent than the lyrics. [May 2003, p.112]
    All this publication's reviews
  7. The A.V. Club
    20
    Even modest expectations can't salvage the clunky, ponderous American Life, which fares only slightly better than "Hanky Panky" and Swept Away on her list of offenses.

See all 17 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 95 out of 105
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 105
  3. Negative: 4 out of 105
  1. TommyA
    Mar 26, 2012
    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'sAmerican 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. groupie
    Aug 16, 2017
    10
    American Life es una de las joyas de Madonna sumamente increíbles, lamentablemente a los críticos no les parece lo mismo, este es de los pocosAmerican Life es una de las joyas de Madonna sumamente increíbles, lamentablemente a los críticos no les parece lo mismo, este es de los pocos álbumes que se pueden justificar el porque tienen un amarillo. American Life es la joya americana y un gran avance en la carrera de la reina del pop, aunque no era raro que ella hablara de lo que quisiera, es sin duda una reina entera.… Expand
  4. madonnastan33
    Nov 23, 2021
    10
    Invented the flop era, the controversial era, and the woke era all at once. This has some of her worst work that she has ever put out.Invented the flop era, the controversial era, and the woke era all at once. This has some of her worst work that she has ever put out. "Sigmund Freud, analyze this", I'm looking right at you!
    At the same time, this has the best track run from any album in her catalogue. The Love Profusion to X-Static Process sequence is pure gold. Hollywood is a bit overrated, in my opinion. And the rap bits are kind of camp once you get used to them. In the end, you have nothing to lose, except time. This is really her ARTPOP if you really think about it.    … Expand
  5. PhilP
    Apr 22, 2004
    9
    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 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
  6. heitorlopees
    Jul 24, 2020
    9
    Um álbum político e poderoso, onde Madonna manda mensagens para o então governo de Bush, com inúmeras críticas e retaliações.
    Um dos álbuns    Um álbum político e poderoso, onde Madonna manda mensagens para o então governo de Bush, com inúmeras críticas e retaliações.
    Um dos álbuns mais injustiçados e, sem dúvida, o mais boicotado da Rainha do Pop.    … Expand
  7. GCQ
    May 22, 2004
    8
    Features the euphoric Nothing Fails, lyrical gem Intervention, and the stop the presses this is the shit EASY RIDE. Not the dance Pop record 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! … Expand
  8. All_ButTrU4
    Aug 24, 2022
    0
    Even modest expectations can't salvage the clunky, ponderous American Life. boring! Both lyrically and sonically it just feels flat, all through.

See all 105 User Reviews

Awards & Rankings

13
#13 Most Discussed Album of 2003
10
#10 Most Shared Album of 2003

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