American Life [PA] [ECD] - Madonna (CD 2003)

Madonna-fan alert!
I have every full-length cd that Madonna has released and I'm nearing completion of having almost all of her cd singles. If that isn't devotion, I don't know what is :). I was very excited to receive an advanced copy of, American Life. Although I had every intention of purchasing it, there's nothing like a free thing!

Confession time. Whoops. Wait. I think I've already done confessed but just in case you missed it...I've been a huge fan of Madonna since the first time I heard Holiday back in 1983. It wasn't because her voice was extraordinary. It was because she had a certain presence about her that pulled me in. Still in high school when she became a household name, I took great pleasure in dressing like her, prancing around the halls in lots of black, lace, bows, and shades. Eventually, I did stop dressing like her however, throughout the years, I've stuck to my admiration of her - through the good times (some really great albums) and the bad times (the Sex book fiasco).

I recognize Madonna for what she is - an excellent business woman, a smart performer, and a growing artist. Although I think she is years away from reaching the genius of others in an artistic fashion, she really has carved out her place in this world.

About This Version
Just so that you're clear, there are several different listings on epinions for Madonna's cd, American Life. This particular location is the Parental Advisory/ECD Version and not the clean version or the package that comes with the dvd.

The Details - American Life
I'm going to pretend that you're pretty familiar with Madonna's body of work. Starting with Ray of Light, she took her music in a totally different direction then what I expected. Music built upon those differences in a way that didn't set well with me. I felt like, with the exception of a couple of songs, she was going too far out of the comfort zone of her fan base.

With American Life, she has managed to circle 'round, and pick up some of us folks that she dropped off in her last album. She returns to her roots of solid pop hooks and thought-provoking lyrics. Although the musical arrangements have plenty of kick to them, you're not going to find them to be typical of what is on radio play. If you felt like some of her material on Music was too much dance-electronica (like me), you'll be pleasantly surprised to hear her use the same instrumental elements but with a rock-edgy-twist, instead of a disco-induced-haze..

Tracks
American Life (****)
Hollywood (*****)
I'm So Stupid (*****)
Love Profusion (*****)
Nobody Knows Me (***)
Nothing Fails (****)
Intervention (*****)
X-Static Process (*****)
Mother & Father (****)
Die Another Day (*****)
Easy Ride (*****)

The first release off of this cd, American Life has been riddled with controversy, not because of the lyrics but because the video that Madonna put together. $600,000 later she had to shelf the controversial video and put out something on the mundane side. If you haven't caught it, it's Madonna dressed in a uniform with various flags flashing in and out of the background.

ANYWAY, I know that this isn't a video review :).

I don't consider the musical arrangement on American Life to be anything extraordinary and new. In fact, it really does follow in the same tradition as Music. This is no surprise since she collaborated with her Music collaborator, Mirwais Ahmadzai.

The beauty of this song is in the lyrics. I tried to stay ahead. I tried to stay on top. I tried to play the part. But some how I forgot. Just what I did it for. I think the lyrics are very reflective of how much Madonna has matured over the past twenty years in the spotlight.

One warning though - she says that "f" word several times. And believe me, it's extremely clear.

The absolute worst part of this song is the "rap" she does towards the end of the track. Although I'm all for artists spreading their musical wings, I have issues with Madonna trying to be the female Eminem. Ain't workin' for this chick.

Hollywood is another upbeat track that doesn't stray far from American Life. It tones down the bass but turns up the flash and flair (single synthesizer) during the verses. In fact, the pattern of the synthesizer reminds me a great deal of some of the mid-80's pop stuff put out by groups like A-Ha and Flock of Seagulls. Instead of building up to a climatic chorus, it's toned down to Madonna and just an acoustic guitar. Right back into the verses, she turns it up again.

I'm So Stupid, like Hollywood and American Life lyrically focuses on what appears to be Madonna's regret for focusing in on the wrong things in life, especially before she had her two children. Cause I use to live. In a fuzzy dream. And I wanted to be. Like all the pretty people. I'm so stupid. The dance arrangement comes courtesy of an electric guitar/drum/single synthesizer combination.

Profusion is a pleasant change from the first three tracks. Madonna and an acoustic guitar share the center stage. She begins with a stream of consciousness about all of her worries and concerns (There are too many questions. There is not one solution. There is no resurrection. There is so much confusion). Instead of continuing down the spiral of gloom and doom, she bounces into - what seems like - an ode of thanks and love to someone who seems to put her mind at ease. I must assume that Mrs. Richey is referring to her husband in the song :). Towards the end of the song, synthesizers breeze over her voice just enough to make me crave a dance remix version of this song. Another nod to the love of her husband comes in the form of Nothing Fails.

The closest track to some of her stuff from Music that didn't impress me as much was Nobody Knows Me. It's heavy on the electronic-beats and light on the thought-provoking lyrics.

X-Static Process is a departure from anything that Madonna has sung before. While she has done slower/ballad types songs before, the ones that come to mind (Live to Tell, Oh Father) were more theatrical - filled with over the top drama-type moments. X-Static Process is a folk-inspired ballad that pairs Madonna's peaceful voice with an acoustic guitar and layers of background vocals.

Die Another Day, which I gushed over months ago (the cd single), has the look and feel of Music however, it seems to take it to the next level. It's slicker and makes better use of the thumping beats and vibrato of the synthesizers. Each phrase Madonna utters seems to continue to fold into each other. Unlike most traditional pop tunes (eak! I really don't even want to call this that!) there's little resolution in the musical arrangement. There's fragmented pauses and then a start up of the folding phrases in and out.

Madonna wraps it all up with Easy Rider, a song that really sums up where she is in her life. I come full circle, to my place. I am home. It's a perfect way to the end the album - not only from a lyrical perspective - but also from a musical perspective. All of the instruments that she uses throughout the other songs, somehow seem to find a place within this track.

The End
If Madonna lost you during her last release, come back my friend. You absolutely will not be disappointed by this material.

Great Music To Play While: Recognizing that getting older means getting wiser.