American Life ~ South African Review
Brad aka "Cherish"
ALBUM REVIEW
Artist: MADONNA
Title: AMERICAN LIFE
South African Release Date: 21 APRIL 2003
Rating: **
* Very Poor
** Poor
*** Fair
**** Good
***** Excellent
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----
This time 2˝ years ago, I found myself reviewing Madonna's MUSIC album for a
local music site, and I ended up launching a scathing attack on it. I then
listened to the album a few more times and regretted my "already concrete"
review. After several rounds, some of the songs appeared better than I had
originally thought. However, it still came nowhere near matching the likes
of TRUE BLUE, RAY OF LIGHT or LIKE A PRAYER. This time I decided to take my
time with Madonna's new album, by listening to it on-and-off for at least a
week. My overall response? "Despondently Mediocre".
One cannot help but wonder how a debut artist would fare if they released an
album as weak and unconvincing as AMERICAN LIFE. Their album would probably
land somewhere in Music File 13 - to be forgotten forever. Luckily for
Madonna, her roots are firmly planted into international music gardens so,
just by virtue of her name, she will manage to sell a few million copies of
this uninspiring album.
Older fans may likely be incensed by the lack of upbeat pop or familiar
dance they are accustomed to on Madonna albums. Being an older fan myself,
perhaps my tastes in music are not as diverse as they used to be. Perhaps
AMERICAN LIFE may prove to be a success with a new generation of Madonna
fans. It seems strange, however, that I find myself gearing more towards
releases by Kylie Minogue (the second most successful international female
artist) than Madonna these days - as her albums are seldom as discouraging.
I remember the days when there generally existed a disgust by Madonna fans
towards anything released by Kylie (outside of North America). These days,
I think the tables have turned, and I am aware of numerous Madonna fans who
are suddenly leaning towards Kylie's side - probably those who are fans of
dance or casual pop.
AMERICAN LIFE, although personal at times, fails to deliver in its
persuasiveness. The Euro-electro funk sound, together with beautiful,
clandestine lyrics, meld together like oil and water. They just do not fit
the puzzle, and they sound awful together. What a pity Madonna chose to
work once again with French producer, Mirwais Ahmadzai. Did she not learn
from the weakness of her last album? His music delivery exists only in the
New Wave early-80's era. In fact, at times, certain tracks on AMERICAN LIFE
could easily be placed on an old Kraftwerk, Human League or New Order album.
However, I doubt any of the artists mentioned would want any of this
mediocre material. I wonder what kind of music Madonna would have produced
with an acclaimed writer like Pat Leonard? The lyrics on AMERICAN LIFE are
outstanding. If only the music could match such brilliance!
TRACK ONE - AMERICAN LIFE
Never before has Madonna delivered such a poor piece of work as her first
release on a new album. In fact, it is so poor, that the CD single is not
even being produced in South Africa. It is only available via import. This
has never occurred before, with promoters in South Africa having always been
confident of the success of Madonna's CD single releases. She is, after
all, the most successful international female artist in South African music
history. The track is nowhere near memorable and the spark is all but gone.
At times, the song sounds like the second release of a "One-hit Wonder"
band. At other times, it appears reminiscent of an Eminem track, especially
towards the end of the embarrassing rap sequence. Once again, perhaps this
may attract a new audience for Madonna - a new group of Eminem and Linkin
Park fans.
TRACK TWO - HOLLYWOOD
Much better than the first track, but still hopelessly feeble. I started to
anticipate more upbeat tracks from here onwards - much to my dismay.
"Hollywood" is definitely not release material, and the opening guitar
sequence is only the beginning of many similar-sounding tracks. At times, I
thought I was listening to the same song over and over again - a' La Stock
Aitken Waterman from the 80's and 90's.
TRACK THREE - I'M SO STUPID
What an appropriate name for this song! The voice distortion vibrazorb is
becoming a bit much now. It was killed by Cher's "Believe" in 1998! What
happened to Madonna being two steps ahead of everyone else?
TRACK FOUR - LOVE PROFUSION
This is one of a few tracks on the album which deserves a compliment. A
certain second release - the beat, the lyrics and the melody melt together
like Swiss chocolate. Perhaps Madonna could have chosen this as her first
release from AMERICAN LIFE, to bolster album sales.
TRACK FIVE - NOBODY KNOWS ME
The vibrazorb again! Luckily it works this time and fits in with the
Euro-Funk Melody and Drum 'n Bass Loop. However, it still fails to produce
a memorable hit.
TRACK SIX - NOTHING FAILS
Well, I beg to differ! This song fails dismally! A ballad definitely gone
wrong! Much along the lines of the ridiculous "Drowned World" off RAY OF
LIGHT and "What It Feels Like For A Girl" off MUSIC.
TRACK SEVEN - INTERVENTION
The second compliment on this album belongs to this track - beautiful,
melodious chorus and catchy lyrics. However, the cherry on the top is still
absent.
TRACK EIGHT - X-STATIC PROCESS
Excellent track! A superb ballad with memorable lyrics. Extremely personal
a' La "Like a Prayer" or "Live to Tell".
TRACK NINE - MOTHER AND FATHER
Reasonable track, except for the helium voice. Singing in a 5-year olds
voice does nothing to enhance this song. It would easily have benefited
from Madonna's more soulful side.
TRACK TEN - DIE ANOTHER DAY
Probably one of the strongest tracks on the album, but nevertheless nothing
special as the charts proved.
TRACK ELEVEN - EASY RIDE
A wonderful ballad spoilt only by the Eurotronic pops and out-of-place stops
& starts which are enough to irritate even the most placid of people.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----
Has the "James Bond" voodoo struck Madonna now too? Will she be another
star to disappear as soon as the movie theme song is released? Time to go
into hibernation and wait for an album which is the Madonna we know! She is
trying to be someone else on this album, and is barely recognisable. I had
said before that this album is make-or-break for Madonna. Only the serious
fans can help her now. I certainly hope I am proven wrong!!!
Danny wept about fumbling a cousin
>Reply-To: "Brad aka \"Cherish\"" <bra...@hotmail.com>
>
>ALBUM REVIEW
>
>Artist: MADONNA
>Title: AMERICAN LIFE
>South African Release Date: 21 APRIL 2003
>Rating: **
>
>* Very Poor
>** Poor
>Has the "James Bond" voodoo struck Madonna now too?
>Time to go
>into hibernation and wait for an album which is the Madonna we know!
>She is
>trying to be someone else on this album, and is barely recognisable.
Nice, Brad...very nice. :)
Thank you for your input...your discussion and chat is always welcome. :)
--
alt.fan.madonna |news, interviews, discussion, writings
|chat, exchange merchandise, meet fans....
|Get into the groove baby you've got to... check us out!
---
As to cleaning up this group believe me I have been working on that...I have
the perfect solution but it will take a little time to get sorted out but I
will e-mail people on my list here as things progress, :-)
~Madonna Rulez [12-18-02]
The Indignation of Zell Dincht
>
>ALBUM REVIEW
>
>Artist: MADONNA
>Title: AMERICAN LIFE
>South African Release Date: 21 APRIL 2003
>Rating: **
>
>** Poor
>
<LMAWO>
"Madonna sniffs her food, like a dog." --Joan Collins
"I'm plagued with insecurities...I'm insecure 24/7." --Madonna, insecure...even
while she's sleeping