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Argentina, for the first time ever has a Madonna CD single release. They have released both CD singles, i.e. CD1 and CD2 as issued here in UK. These appear same as the UK CD1 and CD2 pressings however are manufactured in Argentina! These are certainly set to become a great future collectable!

The Argentina CD 1 (9362 42615-2) has regular red artwork insert slipped into a jewel casing with red promotional sticker stuck on top. Includes the following mixes:
1 American Life - Radio Edit 4:27
2 American Life Missy Elliott American Dream Remix 4:49
3 American Life - Peter Rauhofer´s American Anthem Part 1.

The purple artwork CD2 (9362 42616-2) includes similar purple promo sticker and includes the following mixes:
1 American Life - Radio Edit 4:27
2 American Life - Oakenfold Downtempo Remix 5:32
3 American Life - Felix Da Housecat Davin Dazzle Club Mix 6:10

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Cheers Rennie Depetro from Australia for these images. Australia has both CD singles, i.e. CD1 and CD2 as issued here in UK. The Aussy pressings do however have a rather strange 'Explicit warning' on their inserts stating "MODERATE impact course language and/or themes".

The Aussy CD 1 (9362 42615-2) has regular red artwork insert slipped into a jewel casing. Includes the following mixes:
1 American Life - Radio Edit 4:27
2 American Life Missy Elliott American Dream Remix 4:49
3 American Life - Peter Rauhofer´s American Anthem Part 1.

The purple artwork CD2 (9362 42616-2) includes similar Explicit warning to CD1 and includes the following mixes:
1 American Life - Radio Edit 4:27
2 American Life - Oakenfold Downtempo Remix 5:32
3 American Life - Felix Da Housecat Davin Dazzle Club Mix 6:10

AUSTRALIAN PROMOTIONAL CUBE:
Thought I would also include this wonderful promo cube issued by Warners Australia to promote American Life! These cubes generally appear for a single and or album release in Australia. If anyone knows how many of these there are and which releases they were manuafactured for let me know! (yes, that means YOU - Rennie D, LOL)

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Thanks to Ivo in Italy and Surin in Thailand for letting me about these items.

THAILAND:
There are two rather cool promo postcards from Warners Thailand. Both carry different artwok from the American Life shots. These are official postcards and were given out as sets for a limited time only.

There is also a rather nice promotional only bookmark also given out on the release day of American Life in Thailand. Not many of these are in existance! I will add these when I get mine through the post!

ITALY:
This is the Italian promo postcard given out on the release day throughout Italy. Interstingly, and as also pointed out by Ivo and a few other Italian collectors, these postcards are italian made and feature the Italian Warner Bros URL, making these a true collectable.

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The Japanese 3 mix CD single has the purple artwork with red OBI. The back cover has regular dog-tag artwork. Has 'WPCR-11541' catalogue number.
Radio Edit 4:27
Oakenfold Downtempo Remix 5:32
Felix Da Housecat's Devin Dazzle Club Mix 6:10

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The USA Maxi has red artwork insert in large jewel casing. Has regular dog-tag back artwork (9362 42614-2), very similar to the UK and Euro!

Includes the folowing tracks:
1. American Life Missy Elliot American Dream Remix 4:49
2. American Life Oakenfold Downtempo Remix 5:32
3. American Life Felix Da Housecat's Devin Dazzle Club Mix 6:10
4. American Life Peter Rauhofer's American Anthem Part 1 10:41
5. American Life Peter Rauhofer's American Anthem Part 2 9:06
6. Die Another Day Richard Humpty Vission Electrofield Mix 6:01

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Thanks to Peter for info and scan of another USA CDR promo. This is a three mix with Missy Elliott remixes. This appears to be fairly scarce like most of the CDR promos for American Life.

This CDR promo has traditional titled insert and white disc with basic detail. Includes the following remixes:#
Missy Elliot American Dream Remix 4.40
Missy Elliot American Dream Instrumental 4.33
Missy Elliot American Dream Clean edit 4.36

I will be adding a comprehensive CDR listing to this site soon. It will list all CDR promos issued officially in USA, UK and other places. I will also get the Ultiog Of AL done soon where all AL pressings will be listed individually!
Click here for more CDR info
Click here for even more CDR info

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Just received a rather intriguing email from long term friend and collector Hrvoje who noticed that there are currently two sets of catalogue numbers for the same version of American Life CD album: 9362-48439-2 and 9362-48454-2.

The pressing I bought here in UK has the 9362-48454-2 catalogue number yet an Italian import CD album, which came from the same source as the ones here in UK has the other catalogue number? Likewise the CD album sold in Belgium also carries the 9362-48439-2 number (Thanks Rudy!)

Likewise the Taiwan CD album in slip case (and initially with foil pack) uses the same 9362-48439-2 catalogue number as the Italian CD import.

Something else: the 9362-48454-2 Euro/UK pressing does not have hythens in the catalogue number at all, where as the Italian one does!

The Clean CD Version has 9362-48476-2 catalogue number (Thanks Igor Kovalev!)

SPAIN HAS NO ACCESS TO EXPLICIT VERSION ON CD:
Thanks to Jose, from Spain for his email about the Clean version having 9362-48476-2 catalogue number. More interesting is that Spain does not have the Explicit Version CD, only the Clean Version. They do have access to an Explicit cassette album though (48439-4)!

Jose also mentioned that He has only seen the Explicit Version on cassette format! I have yet to see the cassette here in UK. Does anyone have the mini disc yet? Or a Clean Version on cassette?

ITALIAN & BELGIAN ENHANCED CD DOES NOT WORK:
Tony in Italy just mentioned that the enhanced features on His copy of the Explicit CD, bought in Italy, does not work? Rudy from Belgium also had the same problem with his pressing bought locally! What about yours?

It does look like many Italian CD albums are affected and don't work. Diego pointed out that His Italian pressing does not work. When the link is clicked on, within the enhanced area, it trys to open his c:\ drive. Something that is down to the designers forgetting the 'http://' part of the URL! It is amazing that Warners could allow such an obvious mistake on a Madonna release! Better check yours! I know MY UK CD worked fine.
Bigger Front

RUSSIA HAS EXPLICIT CASSETTE ONLY:

So far Russia has NO CD album, officially anyway! Russia has a cool official cassette album with 48439-4 catalogue number, this being the Explicit version. Includes hologram sticker on the sleeve plus Explicit wording as usual! (Thanks to Igor Kovalev for the Russian information and cool images!)
Bigger Front | Bigger Inner
If you want the totally official and rather fantastic cassette from Russia email me as I am getting some!

Can you check your copies and let me know which ones you have in your country including catalogue numbers. Likewise if you own a CASS or MINI DISC album from elsewhere, let me know its catalogue number!

Got info on American Life single and album? Tell me and I'll add it here!

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Cheers PanDa for this email, sorry I was late to add it here:
Some 'fans' clearly don't agree with Madonna's anti-download policy: her official website got hacked on the 19th of April and replaced by a page with links to download the complete American Life album as well as some remixes.

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What a crazy two weeks it's been! First the single and then the album, which I am listening to right now. Sitting in the garden, in the sun, just me and the lappy, heaven!

Just thought I better add a complete rundown of all the World pre-order limited editions and other give-aways. Basically certain record stores, usually only the bigger ones, do a deal with Warners and offer a free Madonna goody to accompany all albums that customers pre-order or those sold within the first few days of the release. These particular items go FAST and often, once the album has been released, these freebies run out completely.

TAIWAN
Taiwan is Synonymous with pre-order goodies, pretty much beating all other countries, as far as interesting and official Warners limited editions and freebies goes, and American Life is no exception. Taiwan did a pre-order limited edition (first 3000 albums only!) "Promotional Only Not For Sale" gift pack which is the same size as the GHV2 promo and made of a sealed foil packet containing stamps, poster, etc. These come with the 'first edition' of the album which has a card outer slip case, which is a collector's item on it's own.

THAILAND:
In Thailand, initial albums came with a free promotional 'Warners Thailand' Madonna T-shirt. These are bloody scarce as they were not generally sold like this for long!

SINGAPORE
American life was released in Singapore Monday 21st. The CD is the 11-track explicit version (Cat#48439-2). The CD is pressed in Singapore, and the rear cover is printed (Made in Singapore). The jewelcase is stickered "The Brand New Madonna CD". One shop had limited copies with a promo T Shirt from Warner Singapore, limited to just 500 in total. These are white cotton shortsleeved T Shirts, with large black and red AL cover pic on the front, and red "Madonna" logo underneath.
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HONG KONG:
WEA in Hong Kong also did an official promo T-shirt promotion to push the sale of AL. Pre-orders were accepted for both regular CD and limited boxed CD. The CDs could only be picked up on/after 22nd April. The Pre-order was only available from 18 - 21 April 2003 at selected stores.

The promotional T-shirt is black with short sleeves. Has album cover on the front and lyrics on the reverse with huge "Warner Music" above. Watch out for other 'dodgy' unofficial versions!
Bigger Front ¦ Bigger Back

AUSTRALIA:
Australia's American Life album release came as a limited edition with free bonus poster inside the cd, which is an A4 size poster and has Madonna American Life spelt out, basically like the inside of the cd booklet. The front of the CD has a white sticker which says Limited Edition with free bonus poster.
Bigger Image ¦ Bigger Front

Limited supplies of the Australian LTD CD album come with cool American Life promo keyring. If you are very lucky you may get a shrink wrapped copy!
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UK:
Here in the UK, England anyway, HMV are giving away a free Madonna artwork with all copies of the album. Not sure how limited these are but HMV usually do something similar for major album releases. These artworks will run out very quick!

GERMANY
I just had to add this item, a rather special American Life key-holder and Limited Fan Pass which was given out on 22nd April at some German music stores. Thanks to Hanjo from Germany for his amazing scan and info on this interesting 'give-away'.
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Thanks to Dimi (Germany) for letting me know about a German test pressing 12" issued for American Life. Not too many details yet but here is what I know so far:

It is a German Test Pressing whitelabel promo-one sided - cat no PRO7041 and contains Felix Da Hosecat Devin Dazzle Club Mix 6.08

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I mentioned the Australian LTD a while ago on this page and thought I better update the information here.

A limited number of the CD album come with a FREE promo poster as showed. This was originally meant to be a gold disc and poster although the gold part was dropped two weeks before it's release.

FREE KEYRING EDITION:
Limited supplies of the Australian CD album come with cool American Life promo keyring. If you are very lucky you may get a shrink wrapped copy!

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Thanks to Rebecca Weir (UK) and Dimi (Germany) for the updates on the latest UK pressings. Plus FLASH! There is a double LP set for release on May 12th here in UK and possibly the rest of Europe also. Was set for 5th but has been set back. These will all be German made pressings no matter where bought! The catalogue number is: '9362 4843 9' and these wil go on sale for up to £21 (HMV in UK).

As will most recent LP releases, expect the worst as WEA have a habit of cancelling the LP release at the last minute!

Canada had it's CD single on the 8th April! This is the jewel cased CD single with 'CD16658' catalogue number.

Below is full details, as ever, from Canadian collector Rob. Thanks Rob once again for the information and images:

CD Album - CDW48439
2 Set LTD CD Album - CDW48440
CD Single - CD16658
CD Maxi - CDW42614

CD single information from Canadian Rob:

1. looks like this might be a trend of slim jewel cases for the cd "singles". This will be the 3rd for cdn maddy releases.

2. It's shrink-wrapped which doesnt make it easy to remove and keep the promo sticker intact.

3. Enhanced promo sticker is actually on the back? Which is only in english, but has the cdn cat #CD 16658

4. Tracks: AL (RADIO EDIT) & DAD (CALDERONE & QUALE AFTERLIFE MIX) wasnt this only a promo mix vinyl pack #3???

5. HERE'S THE GOOD PART.... Remember I e'd you about a possible cdn ltd ed!
Right on the disc says "from the... album American Life. available on compact disc CDW 48439 AND CDW 48440!!!
THESE ARE BOTH CDN CAT#S which means there will be a cdn ltd release.

NO CANADIAN LTD eventually appeared. The Canadian LTD once opened, turns out to be a regulat USA pressing, not made in Canada at all! (Cheers Rob for the info)

The regular Canadian CD album is same as all others but does carry the unique Canadian 'CDW' catalogue number prefix! (CDW48439)

There is a Canadian maxi CD which is very similar to the UK maxi 'CDX' CD, with identical design throughout! The Canadian does however carry Canadian manufacture, CDW catalogue munber (CDW42614) and of course a different front Explict warning!

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AUSTRALIA:
Just received an intersting email from OzBoy Alan from Australia about his copy of American Life.

Hello Kev.
Just a bit of probably meaningless trivia but I have put my Madonna single into my computer to play and although it has three versions of American Life it is listing track two as Hollywood (4.39) and track three as I'm So Stupid (10.40)

Check your copies in a computer player and let me know if yours is the same?

Just got another email from Alan from Oz, saying that all copies of both Australian CD singles show the above track listing when inserted into a computer!

CANADA:
Thanks also to ROB from canada, Canada's number one Madonna fan! Who mentioned to me in one his many fine email that when the American Life CD is played in his computer the last track, Easy Ride, is showing as 7 minutes something instead of 5 minutes something?

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Thanks to Alex Gonnord (UK) and others for information and images of a totally amazing toy car that has been produced by the toy car makers, Corgi. To celebrate American Life Corgi produced a limited edition of 150 new style Mini Coopers, a classic remake of the original Mini Cooper produced here in UK since the sixties. The Mini Cooper is a type of car that appeared in the 'banned' American Life video. Madonna can often be seen driving one about London!

The American Life promo bag was given out in an extremely limited number to UK journalists at the time of release of the American Life single.

The promo plastic carrier bag is printed with the single cover, inside of which was a 12" vinyl single (A. American Life (Edit With Rap) B. Die Another Day (Calderone & Quayle Afterlife Mix)), the two different CD versions of the single (CD1 and CD2, three pin badges with the single motif in different colours, plus - most exclusively - a Corgi model ‘Madonna American Life’ Mini Cooper, produced specifically to tie-in with this single release (Madonna namechecks the car in her rap).

The Mini Cooper is Corgi model 86503, and only 506 of these Madonna versions were produced. The car comes in special box which also includes a certificate stating it to be "Limited Edition BMW Mini 344 of 506".

This car will never be available in the shops! The car number is also reproduced on the car’s number plate!

You will not only have Madonna collectors after these but also Mini Cooper fans and collectors as well as collectors of Corgi cars and other toys!

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Thanks to Sam Lake (UK) for more information, Gus Tiene for the great image of CDR promos that she owns. Since adding the last four UK and USA CDR promos here within the Hot News area, there has been at least two new official CDRs which have surfaced and below is the information gathered so far.

If you have any American Life CDR promos mentioned below or any of the others listed withinHot News, and you can make some scans or have images of them already, please can you send them to me by email. I will update this area with them and credit you fully.

There is an eight mix UK Reference CDR promo which includes the tracks below:
Oakenfold Radio Edit
Oakenfold radio edit without rap
Felix da housecat radio edit
Felix da housecat radio edit w/o rap
Missy elliot clean radio edit
Rauhofer club edit explicit
Rauhofer club edit clean
Rauhofer radio edit
This 8 track promo contains unreleased edits from GALAXY RADIO, that’s 8 mixes not coming out anywhere! LOL! (Nice one Sam). Has traditional Reference CDR titled insert and white disc I think.
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There is also an amazing three disc CDR set of Missy Elliot Mixes.
CD 1 features:
Missy Elliot American Dream Clean Radio Edit
CD 2 features:
Missy Elliot Clean Remix
CD 3 features:
Missy Elliot New Mix

There is also a USA single track CDR for American Life titled: The Missy Elliot Clean Remix. Comes with: Missy Elliot Clean Remix and has traditional custom titled insert and probably has the traditional CDR white disc.

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Thanks to Rebecca Weir (UK) and Dimi (Germany) for the continual information. The UK also now has a 'CDX' CD and second 12" which was released Monday 5th May.

The UK 'American Life The Remixes' CDX maxi CD has same red sleeve design as the red CD1 and white back insert with dog-tag design. The inner insert design does however have cool red artwork, not included within CD1 and CD2. This artwork is also used on the 'T2' 12" label on disc 1 side 1. The disc is the same as CD1 disc. Catalogue number 'W603CDX' (9362 42614-2)

CDX CD includes the folowing tracks:
1. American Life Missy Elliot American Dream Remix 4:49
2. American Life Oakenfold Downtempo Remix 5:32
3. American Life Felix Da Housecat's Devin Dazzle Club Mix 6:10
4. American Life Peter Rauhofer's American Anthem Part 1 10:41
5. American Life Peter Rauhofer's American Anthem Part 2 9:06
6. Die Another Day Richard Humpty Vission Electrofield Mix 6:01

The 12" has similar red artwork design. The sleeve is boxed and houses two discs. The labels are cool with a red design on one side of one disc and black design on one side of the other disc. Includes the following tracks:
1.1 American Life Missy Elliot American Dream Remix 4:49
1.1 American Life Oakenfold Downtempo Remix 5:32
1.2 American Life Peter Rauhofer's American Anthem Part 1 10:41
2.1 American Life Felix Da Housecat's Devin Dazzle Club Mix 6:10
2.1 Die Another Day Calderone & Quayle Afterlife Mix 8:53
2.2 American Life Peter Rauhofer's American Anthem Part 2 9:06

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Despite many places selling the American Life LTD here in the UK, the actual release date is Monday coming! HMV and many other 'bigger' stores are refusing to sell these because of problems occuring with the music charts.

Also coming this monday should be the CDX CD single, the UK's number three CD and also a second 12". These may only be available through bigger music stores and only as pre-orders. So you may need to ask for a copy! Likewise, these pressings will not act towards the UK music chart placement!

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Cheers Alex from here in UK, for letting me know about these three promotional badges. These are official and appear to be fairly scarce right now as not many have found their way into the public domain.

There are three coloured badges in total as pictured. These are officially manufactured although they don't seem to carry any promo markings so be careful when buying as fakes are sure to surface.

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Thought I would share an intersting email I just received from UK Madonna collector Beccy Weir, regarding two more 'maxi' pressings that will be released today!

hiya kev,
just seen on the HMV website, that to coincide with album release on the 28-04-2003, there is another 12" single - W603T2, and another CD - W603CDX.

They have classed these as 'maxi formats' (which is weird for UK releases), and they are only available for pre-order only at the mo.
From beccy

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Well like just about everyone visiting this site, I bought my copy of the new album. I had to walk 4 miles with the biggest hang-over I have ever had in order to find a record shop (I was in a small town on the Isle Of Wight, normally I am surrounded by record stores).

So here I am, sitting listening to what can only to be described as Madonna's finest album so far! Every track is superb, and if you like Music then this will definately please!

I never thought there could be such a great album without Mr Orbit, but Mirwais has done it! If you have not heard it yet, go and listen to it.

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I am sitting here on my laptop attempting to write this but the excitment is too much!!

RIGHT: this is an official Taiwan CD album of American Life, Explicit Version, which, to the first lucky 3000 people who buy it first in Taiwan, comes with totally unique and super cool sealed foil gift pack!

The actual CD album is the Explicit version which comes in card outer slip case and is called the 'first edition'. Later CD albums will loose the outer slip case and will look like regular jewel case albums. The outer slip case is great and includes chinese writing throughout! These initialy come selaed with Warner Music tape around the sealed plastic.

The gift pack comes with the first 3000 copies only, and no more after!! It even carries "For Promotional Only Not For Sale" wording on the front of the pack. Remember how rare the GHV2 promo CD got after a few weeks! The gift pack is sealed and also has an additional outer sealed poly sleeve like the album itself. The pack is about twice the height of the CD and fantastic!

The pre-order exclusive gift is concists of a set Madonna pictures, 7 characters/Madonna picture stamps housed in a special silver package (aluminum foil). The package also acts as a stand!

I have managed to pre-order as many as I could and these will be available to the first 40 people who confirm!