Album- The Fame (UK
Edition)
Artist- Lady Gaga
In 2008 the world was introduced to the eccentric yet
brilliant artist that is Lady Gaga, and with a debut album like this, it’s easy
to see why she has become such a worldwide phenomenon;
Track 1- Just Dance
(featuring Colby O’Donis)
This was the lead single of the album that launched Gaga as
a global superstar. And it is simple to see why as this is a fun and frivolous
tracks that blend synth and electro beats with pure lyrics that are all about
getting lost in the fun of it all and deciding that all you can do is just
dance. The lyrics are great in terms of their reckless simplicity, with the
chorus having that great pop hook which is instantaneously memorable. And with
her light vocal tone Gaga keeps that light just have fun pace of the track
going really well, with the ad libs in the final section having that final
moment of power and joy. The O’Donis rap feature is cool in giving a slight
urban flavour and a male perspective that sounds cool. And with synth beats
that are so catchy, you’d be hard hearted to not simply do what this track
tells you to.
4.5/5
Track 2- LoveGame
Featuring one of the best uses of a sexual innuendo for a
pop hook ever, this electro pop number is a sensual affair inspired by Gaga’s
encounter with a stranger on a night out. Its another prominent example of her
saviness as a popstar and brilliant musician in that her lyrics are both
cleverly articulate and astute but at the same time are simply honest and don’t
make any attempt to hide that provocative edge to the track. And this edge not
only palpably comes out in the lyrics but also in the vocals, with her voice
having a smooth tone that gives a cool sensuality to the number and makes the
hook sound nicely mischievous and flirtatious but also blunt. The up tempo
electro pop grooves with the powerful bass makes for an addictive sound
sonically that really compliments that feisty feel of the song, and so in every
aspect Gaga really excels.
4.5/5
Track 3- Paparazzi
This is a song that addresses the darker side of fame and
the constant attention that is given to celebrities in today’s society, as well
as emphasising the difficulty of balancing fame and love. The dark almost
melodramatic tone of the piece is complimented well when placed against the
previous dance numbers, and in terms of lyrics this is an even stronger piece
in terms of how it almost has a storytelling quality to it and really brings
out that sense of the difficulty of fame, whilst the chorus is powerfully hook
driven but also has that element of it could refer to fame but the listener can
also transfer to a relationship perspective. The vocals are very on point,
having a nice sensuality about them and being placed into a higher key in the
chorus that gives that sense of almost disillusionment with the concept of the
fame. And with powerful electro pop beats that have that clattering sense of
dark euphoria but never overpower the song, this another slice of pure pop
deliciousness.
4.5/5
Track 4- Pokerface
This is such a smart song. It talks about sexual innuendo
and teasing, but is not too over provocative. And the recurring “ma ma ma ma”
throughout the track isn’t annoying but actually is so ridiculously catchy that
it easily gets stuck in your head, and when you hear that you can instantly
recognise the track. Furthermore it’s a song that provides subtle production
with smart lyrics that say everything and nothing at all, and the vocals of the
track have an ice cool edge that really blends well with the ideologies of the
lyrics. A deliciously great pop number that we must thank Gaga for creating.
5/5
Track 5- I Like It
Rough
After the superbness of the last four tracks this song kind
of lets the side down a bit. The track really embodies the innuendo of the
title with its sexual provocativeness and speaks lyrically questioning of this
dangerous relationship. But the hook it isn’t as catchy as the previous songs,
although this is perhaps because of the production. The production keeps a cool
vibe to the track and with some heavy drum beats and more obvious guitar riffs
set alongside the electro beats it definitely elevates the message of the
track, but at the same time it doesn’t feel as polished as the other tracks and
so means the record suffers a little. But Gaga definitely delivers vocally,
with the bridge being a particular highlight of the track in terms of how a
flirtatious kind of edge is conveyed.
3/5
Track 6- Eh Eh
(Nothing Else I Can Say)
This is a good track in that it perfectly showcases how Gaga
is not just a techno party anthem kind of artist, and actually has a sweet nature
behind that eccentric persona. Lyrically the track is about simply finding
someone new after breaking up with an ex, and features a cute hook in the form
of the songs “eh eh” motif. The mid tempo ballad allows for the natural
lightness of her voice to come out in a pure and simple way and sound quite
fresh, and when placed against calypso styled beats the songs just feels
effortlessly nice. The only issue is whilst it shows musical diversity, it is
perhaps hard to fully believe the track and like it when sandwiched between
quite forceful, electro pop number that
have a strong dance edge.
3/5
Track 7- Starstruck
(featuring Space Cowboy and Flo Rida)
The record turns back to a kind of ice cool, electro pop
party atmosphere with the quite euphoric sounding number that lyrically speaks
of Gaga comparing that rush of love to being star struck and uses the metaphor
of the dj to emphasise the playfulness of the relationship. The hook is very
powerful and with the use of auto tune the ideology of the track really comes
through, with the short Space Cowboy moments giving a nice two way edge to the
track. The song features some cool hip hop and electro pop inspired beats that
give a nice chilled but strong edge to the track. The only problem is the Flo
Rida feature, which is one I think that sometimes you might like but at other
times you will just think is annoying.
3.5/5
Track 8- Beautiful,
Dirty, Rich
This is a song for the younger generation, and totally fits
into the Gossip Girl, 90210 vibe that many teens immerse themselves in
today. But don’t be fooled by the title:
this isn’t about being beautiful or rich but is more about embracing the fun of
life and showing how we are rich just by living in the moment. The lyrics are
quite simple, being centred around a simple pop hook that is highly catchy, and
being backed against forceful drums and electro pop production that gives cool
grove to the track. And vocally Gaga brings out a bit of sexual provocativeness
to the number that sounds really cool. The chorus is a little bit static, but
this is probably the tracks only fault.
3.5/5
Track 9- The Fame
The title track of the album perfectly embodies the concept
of this work of art: chasing the dream and becoming something within this
world, whether it is literal or figurative. The lyrics of the track are again
astute as Gaga uses an array of imagery and a powerful hook to emphasise that
chase for something more and the way that it can really power us. And with her
vocal performance she conveys a sense of luxury and puts us at ease in the
verses, whilst in the chorus she gives a little bit more energy and emphasises
the fast paced nature of the beast that is fame. Set against handclapping
electro beats that gives a potent up tempo groove and make for probably the
most definitively pop sounding record, this is a song that has a sense of depth
to it but can also just be enjoyed by the listener in a fun and frivolous way.
4/5
Track 10- Money Honey
This song kind of keeps in the same field of the previous
number in that it highlights that sense of luxury and glamour, and features
some cool vocal spelling that sounds very sexually appealing. Lyrically the
track is all about Gaga talking about how she loves all the glamorous stuff of
life and money kind of being that great man in her life. Whether you take it as
serious or tongue in cheek is up to you, but the techno pop groove of the track
is so sleek and movement inducing that it makes for a great song, and with her
vocals Gaga brings a powerful sense of flirtation within the track,
particularly in terms of the key change at the end of each line of the chorus
that just has that fun lightness.
4/5
Track 11- Boys Boys
Boys
Gaga’s attempt to make a female equivalent of the Motley
Crue song “Girls Girls Girls”, this fun flirtatious number is all about how
Gaga loves boys and all the things that go with them, and also talking about
how she wants to just have fun with a boy. The song has a kind of old school 80’s
pop sound with some rock influences that compliments the fun and cheekiness of
the lyrics with it’s addictive “boys boys boys” hook that is very crowd
pleasing. And again she performs superbly vocally as the natural lightness of
her voice really elevates the whole vibe of the song.
3.5/5
Track 12- Paper
Gangsta
With a clunky piano instrumentation motif joined by forceful
electro bass beats, this track definitely lives up to its title and has a
strong urban kind of flavouring, particular in terms of the rap style vocals in
the track. The song is all about how Gaga doesn’t want some fake guy in her
life and just wants to have that real sense of love. But this song is definitely
an example of where the production really shines, with the beats being so
propulsive that feel really potent and delectable for the listener, and the
small flourishes such as the choral male vocals give a powerful haunting effect
that emphasises the seriousness of her statement. The lyrical rhymes of the
track have a kind of cute flavouring to them but still retain a serious edge,
and the hook is definitely is really simple but so relatable.
4/5
Track 13- Brown Eyes
The down tempo ballad of the record is unfortunately
probably one of the weaker moments of the record. The track features a powerful
bass beat and piano instrumentation set alongside some epic sounding electric
guitar riffs, but it doesn’t sound as good when set against the sleek electro
popness of the other songs. The song is all about Gaga getting lost in her
lovers eyes and all that they kind of represent, and it’s a bittersweet kind of
number that vocally feels both love based but also volatile and features Gaga
really using the power within her voice. It builds in a nice way and feel more
powerful as you listen, but it perhaps just would have worked better on a
different record, or perhaps could have been a little bit more stripped back.
3/5
Track 14- Summerboy
The seriousness of the previous track is here followed by a
light and shiny affair that is all about Gaga having fun with her summer boy
and talking about how it’s said that it has to end but they will always have
that summer. The song features a great melding of a rock based sound with
electro grooves and sounds very Blondie influenced, with the vocals emphasising
that kind of lamenting but happy nature of the track. The bridge feels very
flirtatious and cute and makes for a powerful end that you should be dancing
around to by that point.
3.5/5
Track 15- Disco
Heaven
A song that definitely lives up to its title from the moment
the song begins, this is pretty much just about Gaga having fun in this disco
fuelled world and not wanting people to leave. The vocals feel sensual and
forceful but also light and fun, and the chorus definitely has that light, join
in the fun quality that is really cool. The guitar riffs and electro pop
grooves are again powerful, and the only issue at this point is that the album
is a bit long.
3.5/5
Track 16- Again Again
This track features really clunky piano riffs and is a rock
based affair that feels quite acoustic and raw. Lyrically she speaks about the
circles of her relationship which just has this cycle process in which she
really falls in love. But whilst the sound may be different but suited to this
record, in terms of the lyrics it feels less focused, as the chorus is a little
bit repetitive. However vocally she really lets go and brings a nice sense of
passion to the song. So you might want the record to have finished sooner but this
still acts as a good end.
3/5
Final Review
Lady Gaga has become not only a phenomenon because of her
eccentric style and powerful visuals, but because she actually makes music that
is really good and really well crafted. Lyrically she has a very astute nature
in being both obvious and subtle about what she is saying, and although she
lives up to the typical party girl persona, in many ways she also diverts from
it through the intricacy of her lyrics. Vocally she always knows how to bring a
great sense of strength to each track, and although the album is a bit bloated
in terms of the number of songs, each track brings us something new and
interesting but also still makes for a cohesive record. The production is also
superb, with an electronic, pop based sound that is stereotypical but fresh,
powerful but subtle, and just all-round brilliant.
9/10
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