This (Sad) American Life

On her new CD, Madonna lectures on the crises of modern life. Her personal crisis is more compelling

If Madonna's lyrics are to be trusted--and given her penchant for public disguise, that's a big if--then mark my words: something ain't right at the Ciccone-Ritchie home. Presumptuous? Maybe. But a casual glance at the lyric sheet for American Life, Madonna's bipolar 10th album, proves that at the very least, the world's most famous yoga-practicing B-movie Cabalist is going through a rough patch. If you don't believe her words, listen to her voice. American Life is the first Madonna record that suffers from a complete lack of exuberance. It's not bad, but like a Prince album without lust or an Eminem...

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