Having reinvented herself for the umpteenth time on her last album of jittery electronic effects and shuffling beats, American Life , finds the Queen of Pop in familiar territory and in a self-obsessed mood. Keeping with the Music formula and utilising the talent of French production-wizard Mirwais Ahmadzai has resulted in an album rich in delightful digital disco rhythms, exuberant electro and shattered beats. In the main, Mirwais' magic makes for spellbinding music; unfortunate then that the 44-year-old mum's self indulgent ramblings induce a less pleasurable stupor. The single "American Life" swaggers along with a jaunty cyber strut, while Madge offers us a witty lyrical dismantling of fame and the attendant somewhat soulless "luxuries". It's hard too feel too much sympathy though and her incessant first-person references (nearly 350 of them) begin to grate even before she announces "I am so stupid 'cause I used to be in a fuzzy dream". As well as sarcastic attacks on the fame machine she has so cleverly oiled during her 21-year tenure as music's monarch, Madge is quick to defend her relationship with a sprinkling of odes to current squeeze Guy Ritchie. Subtle and tender acoustic-based moments such as "X-Static Process" and "Nothing Fails" and the string-led beauty of "Easy Ride" add variety while truculent tracks such as "Hollywood" make for a mixed bag, but one that certainly swings in style. -- Christopher Barrett
Track Listing
American Life Hollywood I'm So Stupid Love Profusion Nobody Knows Me Nothing Fails Intervention X-Static Process Mother and Father Die Another Day Easy Ride
