•
Rating: Ok, I have to tell the truth, once I saw the success sparked by this curious character, Lady GaGa, stylish 22-year-old Italian-American, the top spots on Billboard, the airings on MTV, the collaboration with the ultra-commercial Akon, the 80's facade look complete with a wig, the dozens of forums created by teenage TRL fans mushrooming all over the web, the questionable press photos, and so on, I thought: "here we have yet another tailored hottie who will do anything to produce another bad record and appear on that garbage channel called MTV."
Besides the already mentioned points, there were indeed all the makings that confirmed my prediction: declaring herself bisexual (here we go again, like the dreadful colleague Katy Perry and other fleeting music biz figures whom I've honestly lost track of, curious this need to present oneself as alternative or nonconformist!), the choice of the curious name inspired by the famous Queen song (I immediately thought it was a smart commercial move), additionally there's a debut-single hit ("Just Dance") which is cute, well-crafted, but damn constructed, brazenly cloned from the current American trend, namely uptempo productions halfway between urban and soft dance, mimicking Rihanna, Ne-Yo, and so on, not to mention the not so smart lyrics centering on "Just Dance" (a girl having fun in a club, drinking to the point of not remembering the club's name).
It doesn't stop here: let's add to the improbable list the record label releasing the album (InterscopeRecord), which after a glorious past, nowadays "boasts" artists like The Pussycat Dolls, NERD, Marilyn Manson, Gwen Stefani; furthermore, Lady GaGa started her career as a songwriter for the aforementioned PCD and, surprise surprise... Britney Spears. Honestly, I'm often and willingly skeptical about this type of highly commercial products, but you have to understand, with such premises, what was I supposed to expect?!
Instead, with "The Fame," I was proven wrong, I found a pleasant surprise! The album (produced by RedOne and Rob Fusari) is an exquisite amalgam of refined Pop, Dance, Urban, Disco, Electronica sounds with numerous Eighties' nuances.
The strengths of the platter are undoubtedly the very strong and highly radio-friendly choruses (at least 70% of the tracks are potential smash hits, the first two singles already uphold my impression), and the fresh youthful sexy and enticing voice of Stefania Gabriella Germanotta (that's Lady GaGa's real name), not to be confused with other peer stars who are vastly inferior (it's easy to think of circus acts like Hilary Duff and Miley Cyrus). To complete this picture, there's the production, alluring classy sounds that at times glance back to the 80's, to current R&B, to more danceable genres. Well-crafted and always foregrounded are the rhythmic parts, effective and captivating, never too overdriven as the dictates of today's perfect hit production (Timbaland, Neptunes, Will.I.Am to name a few of the most trending ones).
"The Fame" opens with this summer's hit "Just Dance", the debut single featuring Colby O'Donis and Akon with his backing vocals. It performed exceptionally in the USA and decently here as well, asserting itself from the outset as the standout track of this creation. The style is what you'll find throughout much of the album, a pleasing electro-pop-dance composed of electronic bass lines, 4/4 beats, synthesized arpeggios, plenty of backing vocals, excellent bridges leading into a danceable chorus (it's no surprise the track dominated clubs too), and not least an infectious chorus that's hard to get out of your head.
With "Lovegame" the BPMs drop, the rhythm becomes Nu-Hip-Hop" (allow me the term), the electronic sounds remain, but now introduce oriental percussion and bridges that seem to trend in current productions. "Paparazzi" is one of the album's greatest peaks, where electronica is present more than ever, the beat is solid, a true strength of the track, the chorus is delightful, indispensable electro bass lines and vintage-oriented pads, surely a single and potential hit of coming months.
Via 3000 Hz, Lady GaGa on the phone teases us with the chorus of the track "Beautiful, Dirty, Rich", an elegant upbeat with Funky tones. Fascinating. "Eh Eh" is a sunny, festive, carefree track that breaks the vintage mood found so far, largely Caribbean resulting in an interesting mix that combines classic exotic elements with modern avant-garde synthesized backdrops. Moving on, "Poker Face" is encountered, an exact replica of "Just Dance", chosen as the second single it stands out from its predecessor only for the more mischievous and provocative vocal line and a pulsating bass line making it another piece very suited for clubs. More or less in the same vein are the title track "The Fame" and "Money Honey", the former picks up the funky elements left with "Beautiful Dirty Rich" and immediately presents itself as the weakest piece on the record, the latter is the album's most dance track, leveraging yet another very effective chorus and ever more vintage atmospheres.
Yes, we're heading towards a completely different work than I've heard so far, abandoning the dance and electro influences here comes the cadenced "Again Again", seems to totally replicate the old popblues productions found in Christina Aguilera's "Stripped", but with the usual touch of class that distinguishes the entirety of this album. Piano and drums (for the first time real drums) blend perfectly with a production where refinement prevails, overall it sounds very 50's, Stefania also showcases decent vocal qualities, momentarily shedding the "I'm-stylish-and-retro" guise and offering a more mature and committed approach to the microphone.
The dancey "Boys Boys Boys" is the best track on the album, a refrain strongly 80's, delightful backing vocals and a fast-paced beat make it a worthwhile production that will likely soon be released as a single. "Brown Eyes" is the only ballad on the record, mediocre and absolutely anonymous, but it is compensated by the final track "Summerboy", another prominent track where you'll find all the base influences of "The Fame": electronic sounds, urban drums, funky guitar riffs, classy atmospheres, synthesized accompaniments, warm electronic bass, the catchy chorus, all alive in this closure, almost a summary of the album.
"The Fame," purchased with skepticism, I am listening to it continuously, and in its simplicity, I’m finding it to be one of the albums I’ve appreciated the most in 2008. It’s proof that also in the crowded mainstream American pop scene increasingly full of mediocre products for phone commercials, and one-hit wonders, one can find something interesting, and Lady GaGa is the proof, a girl who is about (and partly has already managed) to take the pop artist throne. There's much to discuss regarding the value of such a title, but - sticking to pop - considering it's a genre I often snub, I haven't honestly heard something so pleasant and noteworthy since the times of Oasis, Hooverphonic, Lighthouse Family.
In an era where in the current pop scene, Madonna recommends the useless Katy Perry, a thousand pseudo-indie pseudo-brit pop bands try (and promptly fail) to outperform the deeds of the Gallagher brothers, in an era where dozens of girls present themselves as retro, vintage, intellectuals (some names: Adele, Amy Winehouse, Lilly Allen) only to then appear ridiculous and all the same, in an era where they resort to pathetic reality shows to launch new unlikely singers (or should I say packaged products, like the overly produced and mediocre Leona Lewis, Giusy Ferreri) here finally emerges a fresh and new product. "The Fame" is compact and well laid out, smoothly flowing, the selection is flawless, despite there being two anonymous episodes (yet acceptable and digestible) this is an album where you will hardly find the usual filler tracks (that complete an album made of two major singles), here every piece is a potential hit. Certainly, it's not exactly a pop album, but a mix of various influences, a new way of presenting in pop, which although partly drawn from the mentioned productions initially, presents new elements that more commercial and constructed artists are not slow to adopt to ride the wave.
The final impression is that Lady GaGa as a character leaves much to be desired, that fashion-forward and brazen attitude I find hard to swallow, it seems to me a pure commercial gimmick that look, but musically I come across a good singer, with a warm and very refined voice, perhaps flawed by too banal and clichéd lyrics, but it doesn't change my opinion, this album deserves it, so does she. She certainly stands a fair chance at a decent career, we will continue to hear about her, as long as she doesn't sell out and that she stops focusing so blatantly on image.
Come on, maybe we can finally be rid of Madonna.
Tracklist Lyrics and Videos
02 LoveGame (03:33)
Let's have some fun, this beat is sick
I wanna take a ride on your disco stick
Let's have some fun, this beat is sick
I wanna take a ride on your disco stick
I wanna kiss you
But if I do then I might miss you, babe
It's complicated and stupid
Got my ass squeezed by sexy Cupid
Guess he wants to play, wants to play
A love game, a love game
Hold me and love me
Just wanna touch you for a minute
Maybe three seconds is enough
For my heart to quit it
Let's have some fun, this beat is sick
I wanna take a ride on your disco stick
Don't think too much just bust that stick
I wanna take a ride on your disco stick
Let's play a love game, play a love game
Do you want love or you want fame?
Are you in the game? Doin' the love game
Let's play a love game, play a love game
Do you want love or you want fame?
Are you in the game? Doin' the love game
I'm on a mission
And it involves some heavy touching, yeah
You've indicated your interest, I'm educated in sex, yes
And now I want it bad, want it bad
A love game, a love game
Hold me and love me
Just want touch you for a minute
Maybe three seconds is enough
For my heart to quit it
Let's have some fun, this beat is sick
I wanna take a ride on your disco stick
Don't think too much just bust that stick
I wanna take a ride on your disco stick
Let's play a love game, play a love game
Do you want love or you want fame?
Are you in the game? Doin' the love game
Let's play a love game, play a love game
Do you want love or you want fame?
Are you in the game? Doin' the love game
I can see you staring there from across the block
With a smile on your mouth and your hand on your huh!
The story of us, it always starts the same
With a boy and a girl and a huh and a game
And a game, and a game, and a game, a love game
Let's play a love game, play a love game
Do you want love or you want fame?
Are you in the game? Doin' the love game
Let's play a love game, play a love game
Do you want love or you want fame?
Are you in the game? Doin' the love game
Let's play a love game, play a love game
Do you want love or you want fame?
Are you in the game?
(Let's have some fun, this beat is sick)
Doin' the love game
(I wanna take a ride on your disco stick)
Let's play a love game, play a love game
Do you want love or you want fame?
Are you in the game?
(Don't think too much just bust that stick)
Doin' the love game
(I wanna take a ride on your disco stick)
Doin' the love game
03 Paparazzi (03:30)
We are the crowd
We’re c-comin’ out
Got my flash on, it's true
Need that picture of you
It's so magical
We'd be so fantastic-oh
Leather and jeans
Garage glamorous
Not sure what it means
But this photo of us, it don't have a price
Ready for those flashing lights
Cause you know that baby I
I'm your biggest fan
I'll follow you until you love me
Papa-Paparazzi
Baby there's no other superstar
You know that I'll be
Papa-Paparazzi
Promise I'll be kind
But I won't stop until that boy is mine
Baby you'll be famous,
Chase you down until you love me
Papa-Paparazzi
I'll be your girl
Backstage at your show
Velvet ropes and guitars
Yeah, cause you're my rock star
In between the sets,
Eyeliner and cigarettes
Shadow is burnt
Yellow dance and return
My lashes are dry
But full teardrops I cry
It don't have a price
Loving you is cherry pie
Cause you know that baby I
I'm your biggest fan
I'll follow you until you love me
Papa-Paparazzi
Baby there's no other superstar
You know that I'll be
Papa-Paparazzi
Promise I'll be kind
But I won't stop until that boy is mine
Baby you'll be famous,
Chase you down until you love me
Papa-Paparazzi
Real good
(We dance in the studio)
Snap, snapped
(That shit on the radio)
Don't stop for anyone
We're plastic, but we still have fun!
I'm your biggest fan
I'll follow you until you love me
Papa-Paparazzi
Baby there's no other superstar
You know that I'll be
Papa-Paparazzi
Promise I'll be kind
But I won't stop until that boy is mine
Baby you'll be famous,
Chase you down until you love me
Papa-Paparazzi
04 Beautiful, Dirty, Rich (02:54)
Beautiful dirty dirty rich rich dirty dirty
Beautiful dirty rich
Dirty dirty rich dirty dirty rich beautiful
Beautiful and dirty dirty rich rich
We got a red light, pornographic dance fight,
systematic, honey
but we go no money
Our hair is perfect, while we're all getting
shit wrecked, it's automatic,
Honey but we got no money
Daddy I'm so sorry, I'm so s-s-sorry yeah,
We just like to party, like to p-p-party yeah,
Bang Bang, we're beautiful and dirty rich
Bang Bang, we're beautiful and dirty rich
We live a cute life, sound fematic,
Pants tight tug'n'plastic
Honey but we got no money
We do the dance right, we have go it
made like ice cream topped with honey
but we got no money
Daddy I'm so sorry, I'm so s-s-sorry yeah,
We just like to party, like to p-p-party yeah,
Bang Bang, we're beautiful and dirty rich
Bang Bang, we're beautiful and dirty rich
A bang bang bang, bang bang bang,
Beautiful, dirty rich
A bang bang bang, bang bang bang,
Beautiful, dirty rich
Bang Bang, we're beautiful and dirty rich
Bang Bang, we're beautiful and dirty rich
Bang bang
Bang bang
05 Eh, Eh (Nothing Else I Can Say) (02:57)
Cherry-Cherry Boom-Boom
GaGa
Boy we’ve had a real good time and
I wish you the best on your way, eh
I didn’t mean to hurt you
I never thought we’d fall out of place, eh eh
I have something that I love long-long
But my friends keep ah-telling me that something’s wrong
That I met someone
and eh, there’s nothing else I can say
(Eh, Eh) There’s nothing else I can say
(Eh, Eh) I wish you never looked at me that way
(Eh, Eh) There’s nothing else I can say
(Eh, Eh)
Not that I don’t care about you
Just that things got so complica- eh eh
I met somebody cute and bonny
Got each other and that’s funny, eh eh
I have something that I love long-long
But my friends keep ah-telling me that something’s wrong
That I met someone
and eh, There’s nothing else I can say
(Eh, Eh) There’s nothing else I can say
(Eh, Eh) I wish you never looked at me that way
(Eh, Eh) There’s nothing else I can say
(Eh, Eh)
(Eh, Eh)
I have something that I love long-long
But my friends keep ah-telling me that something’s wrong
That I met someone
and eh, There’s nothing else I can say
(Eh, Eh)
(Eh, Eh) There’s nothing else I can say
(Eh, Eh) Wish you never looked at me that way
(Eh, Eh) There’s nothing else I can say
(Eh, Eh) Wish you never looked at me that way
(Eh, Eh) There’s nothing else I can say
Cherry-Cherry boom-boom
All I can say is Eh, Eh
06 Poker Face (03:59)
Mum mum mum mah
Mum mum mum mah
I wanna hold em' like they do in Texas Plays
Fold em' let em' hit me raise it baby stay with me (I love it)
Luck and intuition play the cards with Spades to start
And after he's been hooked I'll play the one that's on his heart
Oh, oh, oh, oh, ohhhh, ohh-oh-e-ohh-oh-oh
I'll get him hot, show him what I've got
Oh, oh, oh, oh, ohhhh, ohh-oh-e-ohh-oh-oh,
I'll get him hot, show him what I've got
Can't read my,
Can't read my
No he can't read my poker face
(she's got me like nobody)
Can't read my
Can't read my
No he can't read my poker face
(she's got me like nobody)
P-p-p-poker face, p-p-poker face
(Mum mum mum mah)
P-p-p-poker face, p-p-poker face
(Mum mum mum mah)
I wanna roll with him a hard pair we will be
A little gambling is fun when you're with me I love it)
Russian Roulette is not the same without a gun
And baby when it's love if its not rough it isn't fun, fun
Oh, oh, oh, oh, ohhhh, ohh-oh-e-ohh-oh-oh
I'll get him hot, show him what I've got
Oh, oh, oh, oh, ohhhh, ohh-oh-e-ohh-oh-oh,
I'll get him hot, show him what I've got
Can't read my,
Can't read my
No he can't read my poker face
(she's got me like nobody)
Can't read my
Can't read my
No he can't read my poker face
(she's got me like nobody)
P-p-p-poker face, p-p-poker face
(Mum mum mum mah)
P-p-p-poker face, p-p-poker face
(Mum mum mum mah)
I won't tell you that I love you
Kiss or hug you
Cause I'm bluffin' with my muffin
I'm not lying I'm just stunnin' with my love-glue-gunning
Just like a chick in the casino
Take your bank before I pay you out
I promise this, promise this
Check this hand cause I'm marvelous
Can't read my,
Can't read my
No he can't read my poker face
(she's got me like nobody)
Can't read my
Can't read my
No he can't read my poker face
(she's got me like nobody)
Can't read my,
Can't read my
No he can't read my poker face
(she's got me like nobody)
Can't read my
Can't read my
No he can't read my poker face
(she's got me like nobody)
Can't read my,
Can't read my
No he can't read my poker face
(she's got me like nobody)
Can't read my
Can't read my
No he can't read my poker face
(she's got me like nobody)
P-p-p-poker face, p-p-poker face
(Mum mum mum mah)
P-p-p-poker face, p-p-poker face
(Mum mum mum mah)
P-p-p-poker face, p-p-poker face
(Mum mum mum mah)
P-p-p-poker face, p-p-poker face
(Mum mum mum mah)
P-p-p-poker face, p-p-poker face
(Mum mum mum mah)
P-p-p-poker face, p-p-poker face
(Mum mum mum mah)
07 The Fame (03:44)
I can't help myself I'm addicted to a life of material
It's some kind of joke, I'm obsessively opposed to the typical
All we care about is, runway models, cadillacs and liquor bottles
Give me something I wanna be, retro glamour, Hollywood yes we live for the
Fame
Doin' it for the
Fame
Cuz we wanna live the life of the rich and famous
Fame
Doin' it for the
Fame
Cuz we gotta taste for champagne and endless fortune
Fame fame baby
The fame fame
We live for the fame fame baby
The fame fame
Isn't it a shame shame baby
A shame shame
In it for the fame fame baby
The fame fame
I can see myself in the movies with my picture in the city lights
Photograph my mind and whatever else you'd like to shoot you decide
All we care about is, pornographic girls on film and body plastic
Give me something, I wanna see television and hot blondes in odd positions
Fame
Doin' it for the
Fame
Cuz we wanna live the life of the rich and famous
Fame
Doin' it for the
Fame
Cuz we gotta taste for champagne and endless fortune
Fame fame baby
The fame fame
We live for the fame fame baby
The fame fame
Isn't it a shame shame baby
A shame shame
In it for the fame fame baby
The fame fame
Don't ask me how or why
But I'm gonna make it happen this time
My teenage dream tonight
Yeah I'm gonna make it happen this time
Fame!
Fame
Doin it for the fame
Cuz we wanna live the life of the rich and famous
Fame
Doin' it for the
Fame
Cuz we wanna live the life of the rich and famous
Fame
Doin' it for the
Fame
Cuz we gotta taste for champagne and endless fortune
Fame
Doin' it for the
Fame
Cuz we wanna live the life of the rich and famous
Fame
Doin' it for the
Fame
Cuz we gotta taste for champagne and endless fortune
Fame
08 Money Honey (03:08)
That's M-O-N-E-Y, so sexy, I
Damn I love the Jag, the jet and the mansion
Oh yea
And I enjoy the gifts and trips to the islands
Oh yea
It's good to live expensive you know it but
My knees get weak, intensive
[Chorus]
When you give me k-kisses
That's money honey
When I'm your lover and your mistress
That's money honey
When you touch me it's so delicious
That's money honey
Baby when you tear me to pieces
That's money honey
That's M-O-N-E-Y, so sexy, I
That's money honey
Damn I'd love a boat by the beach on the west coast
Oh yea
And I'd enjoy some fine champagne while my girls toast
Oh yea
Its good to live expensive you know it but
My knees get weak, intensive
[Chorus]
You know I appreciate the finer things
But it's not what makes me happiest baby
{I can do without it babe}
Your tender loving's more than I can handle
Never burn out this candle baby, baby
[Chorus x3]
09 Again Again (03:06)
Again Again lyrics
You've gotta a lotta lotta nerve
Coming here when I'm still with him
And I can't have you, it isn't fair
Born March of '86, my birthday's coming
And if I had one wish
Yeah, you'd be it
When you're 'round
I lose myself inside your mouth
You've got brown eyes
Like no one else
Baby make it to me
Again and again
Again, again, again, again
Never stop again and again
Again, again, a-a-again, again
Never stop, oh
He never really saw me
Or waited when we were hooking up
Yeah he'd a never last
Last week when I was sad
You said that you knew
My eyes change from kinda green
To kind blue, heya
When you're 'round
I lose myself inside your mouth
You've got brown eyes
Like no one else
Baby make it to me
Again and again
Again, again, again, again
Never stop again and again
Again, again, a-a-again, again
Never stop
They tell me if I leave him
Baby would you be there
'Cause maybe you could
Be m-m-mine all the t-t-time
11 Brown Eyes (04:05)
When your brown eyes, walked away
And your brown eyes, couldn't stay
In your brown eyes, you watch her go
Then turn the record on
And wonder what went wrong (what went wrong)
If everything was everything, but everything is over
Everything could be everything, if only we were older
Guess its just a silly song about you
And how I lost you,
and your brown eyes
In your brown eyes, I was feeling low
Cause the brown eyes, and you'll never know
Got some brown eyes, but I saw her face
I knew that it was wrong, so baby
Turn the record on, play that song
Where everything was everything, but everything is over
Everything could be everything, if only we were older
Guess its just a silly song about you
And how I lost you,
and your brown eyes
Everything was everything, but baby its the last show
Everything could be everything, but its time to say goodbye
So, get your last fix and your last hit
Grab your old, go with the new trix
Its no surprise that I got lost in your brown eyes
In your brown eyes.. Brown eyes (repeat)
12 Summerboy (04:16)
1, 2, 3
Nowhere,
Yeah we're going nowhere- fast.
Maybe this time I'll be yours you'll be mine.
C-c-c-crazy!
Ah-Get your ass in my bed!
Baby you'll be, just my summer boyfriend (summerboy)
(Chorus)
Lets get lost you can take me home
Somewhere nice we can be alone
Bikini top's coming off
Don't be sad when the sun goes down
You'll wake up and I'm not around
I've got to go, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh
We'll still have the summer after all
Sometimes, you might start a fight.
But I'm happy pretending we're alright (alright)
Sun glasses cover up my green eyes
My martini glistens, yeah
While checking out other guys (summerboy)
Lets get lost you can take me home
Somewhere nice we can be alone
Bikini top's coming off
Don't be sad when the sun goes down
You'll wake up and I'm not around
I've got to go, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh
We'll still have the summer after all
Hey there summerboy
Let's go for a drive
Take me for a ride
Never gonna close our eyes
Hey there summerboy
I'm a busy girl
Don't got too much time
Hurry up before I change my mind
Hey there summerboy
I'm taking off my heels
Let's go for run
Have a little summer fun
Have a little summer fun
(summerboy)
Lets get lost you can take me home
Somewhere nice we can be alone
Bikini top's poppin' off
Don't be sad when the sun goes down
You'll wake up and I'm not around
You've got to go, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh
We'll still have the summer after-
Lets get lost you can take me home
Somewhere nice we can be alone
I‘ve got my summer-summerboy
Don't be sad when the sun goes down
You'll wake up and I'm not around
I've got my summer-summerboy
And we'll still have the summer after all
I've got my-
I've got my-
I've got my- summer summerboy
13 I Like It Rough (03:22)
(Lady GaGa)
(I like it rough)
Your love is nothing I can't fight
Can't sleep with the man
Who dims my shine
I'm in the bedroom with tissues and when-
I know you're outside banging but I won't let you in
'Cause it's a hard life, with love in the world
And now my hard girl lovin' is like chewing on pearls
You got me wondering why I
I like it rough, I-I like it rough, I-I like it rough
You got me wondering why I
I like it rough, I-I like it rough, I-I like it rough
Won't go without my fix tonight
It's a little too rough
Prom girl wipes her tears with silver lines
And she can't get enough
I'm in the bedroom with tissues and when-
I know you're outside banging but I won't let you in
'Cause it's a hard life, with love in the world
And now my hard girl lovin' is like straightening curls
You got me wondering why I
I like it rough, I-I like it rough, I-I like it rough
You got me wondering why I
I like it rough, I-I like it rough, I-I like it rough
Shiny and I know it
Don't know why you wanna blow it
Need a man who likes it rough
Likes it rough, likes it rough
(baby likes it a-rough)
Shiny and I know it
Don't know why you wanna blow it
Need a man who likes it rough
Likes it rough, likes it rough
(baby likes it a-rough)
Is it 'cause you don't mean it?
Or because I don't feel it?
Yes it's rough
Is it 'cause you don't mean it?
Or because I don't feel it?
Yes it's rough
(Lady GaGa)
You got me wondering why I
I like it rough, I-I like it rough, I-I like it rough
You got me wondering why I
I like it rough, I-I like it rough, I-I like it rough
You got me wondering why I
I like it rough, I-I like it rough, I-I like it rough
You got me wondering why I
I like it rough, I-I like it rough, I-I like it rough
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