As a child of the 80's, I was a crazed-Madonna-fanatic. I literally grew up with Madonna. Everything she did was always such a huge, world-wide spectacle. Because, Madonna was once, arguably, the most famous human being on this entire planet. And, more than a decade before Kathy Griffin coined the phrase, Madonna really did have millions of her very own g-a-y-s, all over the world. I always loved how Madonna would disappear for a few years and then come back as a totally different person; she always sounded so different, acted different and of course, she looked completely unique. Some say that Madonna cannot act; I tend to disagree. The most difficult, challenging and intricate role she has ever played was "Madonna." Who knows, maybe she had Dissociative Identity Disorder...?
Out of all of the incarnations that Queen-Madonna possessed (or should I say possessed Queen-Madonna?) I prefer the relatively short-lived "American Life" phase. During this "era" (Winter-Spring '03,) Madonna was the catalyst. She talked about nuclear testing and was very interested in the peace-effort. With her jet-black hair, form-fitting military fatigues and now-trademark "American Life" beret, Madonna resembled a fighter who was out to "change the world" so to speak.
If you're unfamiliar with Madonna's impressive musical resume and do not know where to start, look no further, because you are home with "American Life." This is truly Madonna's best record in years. Because (maybe for the first time?) she wasn't just playing a part. Yes, I know she got all dressed up for the cameras. But her music and lyrics were so real and fundamental. She revealed so much of herself on this CD.
Of course, I love the title-track, lead-single and most controversial song on this album, "American Life." Madonna sings about all the clichés that society thinks about her, but she is nothing more than the "American dream." In staccato, she even raps for us. You might remember Madonna had the music-video pulled before it even débuted within the US. This was one of the only times in Madonna's 20+ year career where she publicly showed a sense of contriteness and humility.
"Mother & Father," "Hollywood," and "X-Static Process" are three first-rate songs that I also especially enjoyed. On these songs alone, Madonna brings the listener into her lone world. You will be able to look inside Madonna's intricate mind and actually see what makes her tick. You don't have to like what you see, and you don't even have to respect her; but you can't deny that she was (is?) a bona fide, unabashed iconoclast.
My favorite track on this CD and one of (if not my favorite song, ever) is "Nobody Knows Me." It is pure artistic poetry. And, I was always disappointed that "Nobody Knows Me" didn't come out as a full single. Like a cat holding onto her last breath, Madonna starts this song out by singing, "I've had so many lives." She goes on to tell us that she isn't "that kind of guy." Nope. The real Madonna is shy and introverted. She may have once sung about "expressing yourself," and telling him where to stick it, but in the end Madonna's just a shy housewife that's content on standing behind her man. (Incidentally, does anyone else believe that Madonna was once a g-a-y man in a past life?) Madonna also sings about a "social disease." This phrase is so funny, because there was once a time that "social disease" was a euphemism for HIV/AIDS (when society was too bigoted to actually talk about this ;) and everyone knows how Madonna was always such a teacher as far as AIDS-prevention/education was concerned. On second thought though, maybe Madonna's social disease isn't sexual? Instead it is more deep-rooted. The "social disease" that she is singing about is personal intimacy. The day this album came out, I went to a release party in celebration of Madonna's latest work in Greenwich Village. But Madonna took off early. Like Greta Garbo, Madonna just wants to be let alone; maybe that's why nobody knows her?
- Audio CD (April 22, 2003)
- Original Release Date: April 22, 2003
- Number of Discs: 1
- Format: Enhanced, Explicit Lyrics
- Label: Warner Bros.
- ASIN: B00008S2VG
- Average Customer Review: 947 customer reviews
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