Lady GaGa
The first time I heard about her was actually on a fluke; she appeared in a episode of The Hills, one of the girls was setting up a party for her. I DO NOT watch The Hills, so really it was a fluke. But anyway. I thought she looked kind of cool, but other than that, they never really played her music, so she never stuck with me. Now by the fall of 08 though, Just Dance was a big song on radio so when I saw her open for NKOTB during their Fall tour, I knew just who she was.
She put on a great show, very visual, crazy outfit and good stage presence. But it's so hard to really get a bead on the music at a live show if you've never heard it before; so I went and got the cd. LOVED IT. It is clearly about being a famous, crazy party till morning, club kid. I love the tongue in cheek-ness of some of the songs. Its all very danceable of course but it's not stupid dance music by any means. Very clever lyrics, and the beats are all pretty sick.1. Just Dance. So this is an all out dance number. It's huge though. I do not like Akon but even his voice seems to find a place here. It is pretty much the epitome of 'Club Banger'. Also though her voice just SOARS over it. I love all the fun lyrics but mostly 'how did I turn my shirt inside out'. Because it would be awesome to party as hard as GaGa clearly does. It was played ALL summer and still, I can jam to it whenever its on now. Great song.
2. Love Game. So this track is likely my second favorite. The lyrics are so fun. Got my ass squeezed by sexy cupid? What's not to love about that. Then the chorus comes in and it's pretty much on from there. The disco stick line is awesome as well. The bridge grabs hold just when the song might otherewise lose you. The beat/claps get a little stagnant but the vocals just keep you hanging on. GaGa has an interesting accent that makes you wonder what she's saying one moment and not care the next.
3. Paparazzi. So is it about GaGa wanting love or wanting fame? Maybe its about both. Its definately one of the tongue in cheeks I was talking about. It calls to point the celebs who live for the paparzzi to follow them, all the while complaining about it. She really just wants to have them WANT to follow her. Its got a fun synth running through it and her vocals are on point, but it's one of the weaker tracks, in my opinion.
4. Poker Face. By far the best track on the album. It's just so different than anything out there right now. The first few bars make you think it's something straight out of the 80's. I love it. I love, love the lyrics. Again, do not sleep on her vocals because GaGa can bring the pipes, trust me. There's several layers to the song and they all just blend together so well. The lyrics are witty, sexy, a little risque but I love it: Baby when it's love if it's not rough,it isn't fun. Indeed, GaGa, indeed.
5. Eh, Eh, Nothing Else. Pretty much the tamest song on the album. Closest thing to a ballad. Simply ditty about breaking up when you find something bigger/better/more. It's just basically, well we had our time, and now it's up. Next. But its slightly more delicate than that and her vocals make you feel like she regrets it just enough to keep her human.
6. Beautiful, Dirty, Rich. Likely my favorite, though not the best track. I just love it; I love the snarl of her voice and wonder if she's telling you her life story in essence. It was SICK live. Again there's synths and a second layering of vocals and it all just comes together. You get the feeling that she really is pleased just partying her life away, no matter the consequences. I want to party with that girl.
7. The Fame. Super retro sound on this one. Not my favorite. It's basically summing up what the whole album is about too, I just don't like it much. There is a LOT going on with this track, it cracks and rocks and synths and bubbles. Just too much for one track, I thought.
8. Money Honey. To me kind of a part two to BDR. She just loves the glitzy side of being famous. All the glitter and glamour. But here she is more in love with her lover, shockingly. Its another of the less fantastic songs, but I like it. It's just this side of being a club song really, more just frothy pop. Her vocals are the weakest here so far, I would have to say. I love her bridges though because she seems much more human and less electronic on them.
9. Star Struck. Love, Love, LOVE it. It makes me want to go out to a club and fall in love with a hot DJ boy. The voice synths are just wicked and the beat is ill as hell. I literally want to dance every time I hear it. If she wants to fill up clubs, she sure seems to know what to give us. Nothing too heavy in this one, lyric wise; the rap is a little out of place but GaGa is flaweless otherwise.
10. Boys, Boys, Boys. Very super mid 80's. Lots of synths, all around. Just a fun, light girl loves boys a LOT song. Still some clever lyrics. When the chorus hits though, you can just imagine dancing it up on a dance floor. The cheerleader lead ins and claps were a bit much for me though.
11. Paper Gangster. Reminds me very much of Brit's Toy Soldiers. The synth makes her sound so unrealistic its hard to enjoy the song much. Apparently GaGa don't do funny business with fakers. Its a pretty hollow song, not much to get into, really
12. Brown Eyes. The only REAL ballad on the album. She does have a solid voice but I can't make it past the first verse.
13. I Like It Rough. As the album closed it felt like fillers. These last four tracks just do not do the rest of them justice, a weak way to end the album I felt. Lots of synths and fun lyrics but no substance at all. Which being a dance album, its not expected but nice to find. Her bridges rock my socks though. She can belt it, baby
14. Summerboys. This one is super fun. It has a sample of something else going on but I can't put a name to it. She sounds very Deborah Harry/Belinda Carlisle on this. The fun of summer love, nothing to deep but it would fit perfectly on the beach or on a summer road trip.
Overall, I love the album though there are some misses for me. I've heard a few of her unreleased tracks and wish they had been added instead but I'm sure this will not be the last we hear of Lady GaGa. I also love how she's offering the whole package; the show, the album, herself, its all tied in together and I love that.
