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Madonna’s ‘American Life’ Turns 15 | An Anniversary Retrospective


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On 4/23/2018 at 2:35 AM, Liam said:

I always felt the album artwork and original video misled the tone of the album.  A lot of the public (if they even cared) thought of it as an Anti-American album when it was nothing of the kind.  So I agree that the artwork and video came off a bit too aggressive when the album didn't.  I would expect much more aggressive and edgier songs.  That said, I loved the album for what it actually was.  It probably would have been better if she just called the album "X-Static Process". 

Your mention of "Mother and Father" made me think how I've always felt it was an odd song.  It's like she threw two songs together.  I always felt the lyrics didn't match the instrumentation.  I love the instrumentation and wish it had something more light hearted to it as it came off more of a dance song to me.  Though those clunky lyrics and vocal delivery just doesn't fit well with me.  To me, it's a song you want to sing along with, but the lyrics just seems too weird for the actual song. 

"Easy Ride", "Nothing Fails", "Nobody Knows Me", "Intervention", "I'm So Stupid" and "X-Static Process" are highlights for me.  I also love "Hollywood" and "Love Profusion", I feel those two are classic Madonna.   "American Life" is fine and I like her delivery of the rap, but it's corny as hell. 

´Mother and Father is indeed an odd song. The first time heard it i felt socked and then... heart broken. Madonna´s voice reminds me of The Bee Gees style of singing but then as i heard the lyrics the situation got serious because of this specific delivery.. it is as if she tried to sing_describe the pain she felt due to her mother´s death and her father´s following marriage_ personal dispute.. for these reasons, i have a soft spot for this song as well as, my own story

 

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On 4/23/2018 at 11:38 PM, thelioncourtheart_ said:

It's a shame she went back to blonde after the first single and ditched the brunette hair.

She looked gorgeous.

That is, because after the general backlash she chose the safe_commercial route that is being blond, the kiss for shock value, the GAP ad- song, the fairy tales, and all.

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26 minutes ago, into the erotico said:

That is, because after the general backlash she chose the safe_commercial route that is being blond, the kiss for shock value, the GAP ad- song, the fairy tales, and all.

Or maybe she just prefers being a blonde.  It's pretty much her persona.  Not sure about all this "safe commercial route" talk, since Madonna has always been a commercial artist. I imagine she wouldn't be as huge as she is without locking into commercialism.  She marketed herself as a commercial artist and won.  Every so often, she will go off the script and share a different side of her or possibly her true self.  After all, brunette is her natural hair color.  Changing her look is one of the things that's helped her keep people interested in her. Just when you think you know who she is, she changes something. She doesn't do it much anymore because well, she doesn't have to. 

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Guest Sonny
On 4/23/2018 at 1:35 AM, Liam said:

I always felt the album artwork and original video misled the tone of the album.  A lot of the public (if they even cared) thought of it as an Anti-American album when it was nothing of the kind.  So I agree that the artwork and video came off a bit too aggressive when the album didn't.  I would expect much more aggressive and edgier songs.  That said, I loved the album for what it actually was.  It probably would have been better if she just called the album "X-Static Process".

I totally agree with you. X-Static Process would have been a better album title. The artwork and video had a completely negative effect on the general public but the album is really beautiful.

It was the first Madonna album I purchased with my savings in 2003 so it has a special meaning to me. My parents bought me "The Immaculate Collection" previously so I was at first shocked about the different sound and image of hers. But I started to appreciate it with more listens and today I love it.

Nothing Fails deserved to be a hit. One of her best songs!

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I always say, American Life was a killer video, just not released at the right time. Had it been released way ahead of the war (which wasn't predicted well apperantly) or a year after the war, then it would've been a bigger hit. Green Day succeeded only a year later with their political statement. Nobody Knows Me with a video would've been the perfect opener to the American Life era.  

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The Thin White Duke remix of Hollywood has got to be one of my favourite remixes. Stuart Price really is an amazing studio wizard, I love all of his remixes. However I like the album version as well. I think American Life is in my top 5 Madonna albums. Even today it still sounds fresh and clear. I also have much love for the track I'm So Stupid and I don't understand why people hate this song so much.

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This album has never left my cd player/ipod.

I love her voice, Mirwais' sound, the mix of electro and acoustic, the visuals, the lyrics, and the fact her voice isnt over processed and pitched high beyond recognition (Hello, Love Spent).

It's in my Top 3 with Rebel Heart and Erotica.

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4 hours ago, PaperFaces said:

the fact her voice isnt over processed and pitched high beyond recognition

One of my favorite things about AL. Her voice in the album sounds so pure, so naked, so full of emotion. Every single day i hear it, X-Static Process still makes me cry. That voice...

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On 7/15/2018 at 10:08 PM, Liam said:

Or maybe she just prefers being a blonde.  It's pretty much her persona.  Not sure about all this "safe commercial route" talk, since Madonna has always been a commercial artist. I imagine she wouldn't be as huge as she is without locking into commercialism.  She marketed herself as a commercial artist and won.  Every so often, she will go off the script and share a different side of her or possibly her true self.  After all, brunette is her natural hair color.  Changing her look is one of the things that's helped her keep people interested in her. Just when you think you know who she is, she changes something. She doesn't do it much anymore because well, she doesn't have to. 

yes, I agree with you about the blonde hair color but she was 'examining' the concept of 'The American Dream' and what it means. Her stance was more serious that is why she changed it. She was beautiful, either way   

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