Customer Reviews

Remixed & Revisited

5 star:		(66)
4 star:		(39)
3 star:		(29)
2 star:		(25)
1 star:		(30)

 

 

I'm a bit mystified by this collection, as it's not a true remix CD like Madonna's earlier "You Can Dance." To be honest, it seems to have been released mostly in hopes of erasing her recent "American Life" CD, which flopped with many fans and critics. Fans, however, should simply enjoy this EP and not question the potential ulterior motives involved.

The first four selections consist of remixed songs from "American Life." These remixes are relatively successful, mostly because they help to take the dull edges off the original versions and make them a bit more danceable. The remaining three songs come from diverse sources. Song 5 is from the MTV music awards and features Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera, and Missy Elliot. The song cleverly merges Madonna's first number one hit, "Like a Virgin," and her most recent single, "Hollywood." Of course, most will remember it as the song during which Madonna kissed Britney (and Christina). It's a bit of a throwaway with lousy vocals, but one that fans will enjoy.

Song 6 is taken from the Gap ad with Missy Elliot. The song merges "Hollywood" with "Into the Groove" (from "Desperately Seeking Susan"), with brilliant results. However, the intro reminds us that it's essentially an extended jeans commercial. The final song, "Your Honesty" is a cute dance song that was originally recorded during the making of the "Bedtime Stories" CD. It's a sweet throwback to the days when Madonna actually recorded dance songs, and sounds more than a little like "Spotlight," from "You Can Dance."

Overall, "Remixed & Revisited" is an enjoyable diversion from the flop "American Life" CD (which I actually enjoyed). The EP is more fun than most of her recent output, although it's likely to appeal primarily to her core fans.

I've been a Madonna fan since the beginning. I even had front row tix to THE VIRGIN TOUR, but I'm not one of those people who thinks that she's perfect. I haven't liked every song she's put out or every movie. I hesitated to get this because it just didn't seem like there was enough good music on it. I finally broke down and bought it. The first four mixes from American Life (though a little self-indulgent, still a much better record than she was given credit for) are really good. I especially like the new takes on LOVE PROFUSION & AMERICAN LIFE. I just think people want her to keep making dance music and not rock and roll. I say make whatever music you like. If I can listen to different genres of music, why can't she make music in different genres? I hate the LIKE A VIRGIN/HOLLYWOOD track. It was entertaining on tv, but certainly doesn't carry over well onto CD. The sound and mix of HOLLYWOOD/INTO THE GROOVE sounds a bit cheap. I like Missy's remix of AMERICAN LIFE much better and I would love to hear them collaborate again in the future. A remixed GAP commercial just doesn't do either of them justice. YOUR HONESTY is obviously from the BEDTIME STORIES era, which was one of my favorite times for Madonna music. It's a good song, but the material on BEDTIME STORIES is far superior.

It's really popular these days to bash Madonna for whatever she does. I think people are intimidated by her. She has been in this business for 20 years and she's still going strong (which is more than can be said for the others who've had breakdowns, drug problems, rehab, etc). She has made a huge impact on our culture and that cannot be denied. Not every choice she's made has been right, but God knows I'm far from perfect. I just don't have the media watching my every move. I say more power to her. I think there's still great things to come. This isn't her best collection, I would have liked to see more remixes from AMERICAN LIFE. And I'm still hoping for the promised box set. All in all, it's probably not worth the price, but if you can get it used or on sale, I think you'll enjoy adding the remixes to your collection. I can't wait for what's next.

Its so trendy to knock Madonna in 2003.
I genuinely believe that the press picked up the wrong message about the AL album, BEFORE it was released, that it was anti-american, which it quite obviously isn't when you listen it.

I LOVE this remix cd.
The mixes are not what you would expect, and I like that.
They are new, unexpected, but maintain the integrity of the original tracks.

Nothing Fails - one of American Lifes stand-out trax a beautiful ballad, has been sped up slightly, given some beats, made to sound a little 'harder', and had the choir removed by supremo DJ/Remix Jason Nevins. Its a new version, and one I now prefer to the original.

Love Profusion - This should have been American Lifes first single (though it is the current one for Christmas). Its such a beautiful track, Madonnas strongest single of A/Life without a doubt. This remix however, has turned it into a rock track!!! And it REALLY works!!! Unexpected and keeps the beauty of the original.

Nobody Knows Me - AL's dance track.. This has been given a retro, electro remix, and its great. Harder than the original, with some more subtle vocal effects.

American Life - One of those you either like or hate tracks, people divided in opinion because of the rap. Understood... however this rocks!!! Its more Metallica than Madonna - I kid you not!!! A metal mix??? And you would think that the rap would have been removed? Well you'd be wrong. It forms the basis of the mix!!! And the 'Headcleaners' have made it sound cool!!! (Honest!) Typical of Madonna - you didnt like my rap - well here it is, double fold!!!

Like a Virgin / Hollywood (live) - The classic and controversial performance from this years MTV awards, with Christina, Britney and Missy all performing, mixing Like A Virgin with the Jacque Le Cont remix of Hollywood (excellent remix), and also Missy's 'Work it'. Brilliant!!!

Into the Hollywood Groove - the 2nd of Missy's appearances on this cd, this is the 87 remix of Into the Groove (though resung in parts), mixed with resung parts of Hollywood, and also the Missy rap from the Gap jeans. If it works, ya better work it!!! and it does...

Your Honesty - An unreleased track from Madonna's Bedtime Stories album sessions. And in my opinion, its better than half the tracks on that original album. Beautiful vocals, though the song is slightly marred by a poor lyric (i can make love to your voice).

This is a must for lovers of Madonnas much overlooked American Life album (though it was a No1), and essential to any Madonna fans collection. This is what remixes should do - bring something completely new but without ruining the original song!

Kudos to ALL involved!!!

I loved Madonna's much maligned 2003 album "American Life" (with the exception of the first single by the same name and that cover shot) so I was really looking forward to this.

Some of American Life's best tracks are remixed here - the highlights are "Nobody Knows Me" and the rock-remix of "Love Profusion" which have great remixes.

Jason Nevin's all but ruins "Nothing Fails" with his blurry unnecessary remix and "Into The Hollywood Groove" is a lazy mix of the Gap commercial and the 1987 remix of "Into The Groove" from Madonna's groundbreaking "You Can Dance" remix album.

The MTV "Like A Virgin" / "Hollywood" performance is good (forget the kisses) but is not suited here because you have to see it to enjoy it -it would be better suited her next compilation DVD.

Embarrassingly "American Life" turns up here again, this time with an irritating heavy metal remix that focus' on the rap and the chorus only - Madonna forget about that stupid song (but please release the original video!)

"Your Honesty" would have been a great single back in 1994 - it sounds very dated, but I loved Bedtime Stories (1994) so it's good to see it released.

This could have been so much better - it's just so unbalanced and just doesn't flow.

Here's to a new album this year thanks Madonna

To appreciate the remixes on this EP one first needs to listen to the originals found on the American Life album. Madonna has an incredible nack to transform her original songs into "remix" versions that have their own feel, style and eventually, versions that could definitely stand alone as their own single. Best tracks are Nothing Fails (an originally semi-ballad turned into a heavy pulsating track with electronica bits here and there), Love Profusion (an originally rich and layered piece turned into a Madonna meets a slight Nirvana grunge vibe), and Nobody Knows Me (an originally upbeat track that was destined for great remixes - retro '80s new wave era meets electronica.) Listening to a Madonna remix is listening to the BEST in the biz. Being linked to a Madonna remix has made many DJ's remix gods (Junior Vasquez, Victor Calderone, Paul Oakenfold, Tracy Young). Those expecting the Into The Hollywood Groove track to be an extended version of the "Gap Jeans" commercial will be most disappointed (the EP's version is less appealing). Finally, the last track, Your Honesty, a lost track recorded during her 1994 Bedtime Stories album which can be considered the R&B Madonna album, is a refreshing flashback to "THAT" great Madonna sound - catchy dance/pop beats with simple lyrics that allow Madonna's unique voice to stand strong on its own. Overall, Remixed & Revisited may not be for everyone but if interested take Madonna's advice - visit the American Life album then "Revisit" with the EP.

This is a pretty reasonably-priced EP considering all the new songs/remixes. While I think "American Life" the album was judged a bit harshly, this CD shows Maddy in a new, more rock-oriented light. And while the remix of "Nothing Fails" adds little to the album mix (which is more beautiful with the gospel choir), the new versions of "Love Profusion" and "American Life" (title track) are awesome. The Hollywood filler is okay but the VMA awards were better to watch than hear (slightly off-key). However, my favorite track is the unreleased "Your Honesty". It wasn't included on "Bedtime Stories" - and I think the reason is that it sounds exactly like "Spotlight", in terms of melody. But since I always loved that gem, I am very happy to hear this one too. "American Life" the album probably won't find new life on the charts ("Nothing Fails" isn't even being played as a single) but "Your Honesty" would be a welcome return to the charts for Madonna - in a more accessible and happy style.

Madonna put out this EP most likely to regenerate interest in her "American Life" album, an album which despite being excellent failed to ignite the charts. Most of the remixes here present selections from "American Life" in a completely new light. Rather than giving us the typical 10-minute techno remixes of 3 minute original tracks, the songs are presented at normal lengths and made "new" via restyled music. This works on tracks like "Love Profusion" (which I feel is improved upon here compared to the original album version) and "Nothing Fails" (which is not better than the album version but is simply different and more "radio friendly") and doesn't work on "American Life," which was fine as it was in its original form aside from being totally wrong as the first single from her last album and lacking commercial appeal. The revised "American Life" on this EP is a noisy affair and, while semi-interesting, doesn't earn multiple listens. Besides, if Madonna really wanted to re-work this song she could have at least re-sung it; on the EP it sounds flat and static because her original vocal is simply thrown onto different backing music and tampered with electronically. While this was okay for "Love Profusion" and "Nothing Fails," the "American Life" remix could have benefited considerably from a little more effort.

Also, the MTV "Like a Virgin/Hollywood" performance is a dud sans visuals. Britney clearly is not singing live, Christina is great but Madonna could not possibly be more off-key. It's too bad Madonna didn't opt for a little light-hearted fun and revisit "Like a Virgin" with the other girls rather than delivering a deadly serious "Hollywood," a track which, incidentally, could have benefited from a more light-hearted delivery on the "American Life" album and as a single.

"Your Honesty" is a fairly lame track. Not terrible, but certainly not a Madonna classic by any means. It is easy to see why it was cut from the "Bedtime Stories" album, though I have long considered "Bedtime Stories" to be her worst album, anyway, aside from a few songs. Here, some of the demos or cut songs from "Ray of Light" might have been a more appropriate choice than a track from 9 years ago. Amongst the other selections on this EP, it seems extremely out of place to say the least.

While I do enjoy this EP, it's apparent that Madonna should be focusing on other things musically, namely getting her act together and regrouping from "American Life" with an album of new material. And preferably an album of new material that isn't quite so heavy-handed, stark or cold as "American Life" is. Even though as an album "American Life" works and is brilliant, it isn't very "fun," "fun" being what successful singles need and, coincidentally, what Madonna's music has lacked in general lately.

As a huge Madonna fan, I was slightly disappointed by the production and song quality of American Life. There were definitely some gems but for the album as a whole it was lack-luster.

Now Madonna goes back to the drawing board and revisits some of the better tracks on AL for this release. It is a nice spin on the songs and actually the production of the first two tracks are suprising good with a dance/rock edge.

Here is a breakdown by song of Remixed and Revisted:

1) Nothing Fails - This was one of the best tracks on AL and is a surprising good twist on a classic Madonna sound. I do miss the gospel choir from the original. Rating: 4/5

2) Love Profusion - This song is the way music is heading in the US. It's a surge of garage sound/with virtually no techno flutter. I was very suprsed by this track. Love Profusion was a good track on AL but is the best track on R&R. It is a very radio friendly song as well as a classic Madonna re-invention which audiences will love. Rating 5/5

3) Nobody Knows Me - A nice 80's Retro feel but loses some of the songs original integrity and complexity. It is still a good listen but becomes boring after awhile. Rating 3.5/5

4) American Life - Can we say Linkin Park wannabe? The chorus is very Evanesence but the verse is just the rap (which was poor on the original) two times. Could have been better but it is nice to see something different. Rating: 2.5/5

5) LAV/Hollywood/VMA's - Britney didn't really sing live, Christine was the ticket and Madonna was Madonna when it came to a live preformance...you needed to see it to enjoy it. Rating: 2/5

6) Get Into The Hollywood Groove - WHY? It doesn't compare to the 2001/2002 remix of Into the Groove by Daft Punk and comes up really short. Didn't like Madonna's voice in the commercial or on this remix until they sample the original Into The Groove. Rating 1.5/5

7) Your Honesty - Besides the unreleased track "Has to Be" on the Ray of Light Single, Madonna's unreleased tracks have been lack-luster. This is not the case. Your Honesty is a nice treat to fans and non-fans from one of her weaker albums. I have no idea why she didn't put this song on the BS album to begin with. Rating: 4.5/5

Bashing the #1 pop diva of all time isn't going to affect her, she still has BOATLOADS of devoted fans (like me) who made her 2004 Re-Invention Tour the #1 tour of the year. HA! All the Britney fans, her Onyx Hotel Tour was a disaster! Anyway, this album is great. THe remixes rock my world, especially the rockin' remix of "American Life", Madge gone metal. Then we have the "Like A Virgin/Hollywood" medley that Ms. Britney Spears almost destroys with her nasal voice, then "Into the Groove/Hollywood" with Missy Elliot, it's a great dance song. Then there's the 1994 song "Your Honesty", another fav. Madonna is still on top!

Madonna, Madonna, Madonna (*shakes head*). While American Life is a strong contender for my favorite album of 2003, this album may very well be my least favorite. The only thing worth checkin' for on this album is a the Headcleaner's remix of "Love Profusion", which still doesn't do justice to the original version. Flat remixes of "Nothing Fails" & "American Life" are big turn offs, but the synths & retro-influenced remix of "Nobody Knows Me" is purely uninspirational.

"Get into the Hollywood Groove" featuring Missy Elliott is a commercial, and the medley of "Like a Virgin/Hollywood" with Britney, Christina Aguilera & Missy was so highly publicised and talked about because of the 'teaser threesome' between the ladies, not necessarily because it was a good performance. Even though Britney sounds great opening this one up, it more than needs the visuals to really keep your attention.

The album's only new material, or should I say unreleased material is "Your Honesty" which you only have to listen to once to know why it didn't make the Bedtime Stories album. Overall, this is a complete waste of time and money and I would be embarrased to have my name linked to since trash.