Album review: Lady Gaga's 'The Fame Monster'

Lady Gaga lives by the credo of "Go big or go home" -- that goes for her wardrobe, her choruses and her sexual innuendo. So it makes sense that in an age of skimpy cash-grab reissues, Gaga would buck the system with "The Fame Monster," a deluxe version of her 2008 debut that comes equipped with eight new tracks. The New York dance-pop diva is even selling the extra tunes as a standalone EP to avoid ripping off early adopters; by major-label standards, that's more value than you shake a disco stick at.

In her music videos and live shows over the past year, Gaga has worked hard to demonstrate her creative ambition and stylistic range, and that project continues on "The Fame Monster," which includes the turbocharged Euro-soul of lead single "Bad Romance," the bubbly, ABBA-style pop of "Alejandro" and "Speechless," and a sweeping glam-rock number seemingly modeled after David Bowie's "Ziggy Stardust" phase.

In "Telephone," Gaga is joined by Beyoncé for a carefully considered meditation on how annoying it is when a dude keeps calling you while you're throwing down at the club. And "Teeth," the EP's closer, is a sassed-out R&B jam produced by new jack swing pioneer Teddy Riley; like Gaga's piano-bar rendition of her own "Poker Face," it emphasizes the no-frills vocal talent beneath the art-directed glitter.

Just dance? Maybe tomorrow. For now, Gaga wants to think too.

-- Mikael Wood

Lady Gaga
"The Fame Monster"
(Streamline/Konlive/Cherrytree/Interscope)
Three stars (Out of four)

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Comments

[Gavin Richards]

This is why music is in the gutter. I respect her artistry and individuality..but the music doesn't add up. It may sound fun and cool now..but try 2 years from now. this music blows 2/4 stars.

[Jeff K.]

@Gavin,

Give her some time. There is some substance in some aspects of her work (who else references Cindy Sherman in a video nowadays?), and I am willing to wait until album two to see how much her music advances.

[Jenne]

Yes, just what the music world needs, more moaning and grunting passing as singing, more sexual innuendo, more mindless club music...I hope that the world will soon forget Lada GAGa, and resign her to getting a job more suited towards her talents, like prostitutute, stripper, or WalMart cashier.

[Cecile]

I find a chainsaw infinitely more appealing than Lady Gaga's voice. As for the performances, anyone with a good crew can string together a dozen all too recognizable Euro-cliches.

[ray]

what horrible crap. this talentless poser is typical of a generation who eats crappy music like it is ice cream

also, how did they convince an entire generation that rap is music?

the horror

[Levinson Axelrod]

I like her album. The songs are a bit more tame I'd say compared to the previous album.
I'd give her some more time to bloom on the more meaningful, deeper lyrics. I honestly believe that she will become revolutionary at the rate she's going. This is only the beginning...

[TC]

It's always hilarious to see how many people declare that they hate the subject of an article...and then take the time to read it and afterward comment on it.

If you don't like Lady Gaga or her style of music, why on earth are you reading her album review? And then taking the time out of your day to comment on it?!

@ Jenne, Cecile, and Ray:

Do all of you have nothing better to do? I know when I dislike something, I try my best to ignore/avoid it. I sure don't go and read about the object of my dislike and then post my thoughts on it in my spare time...because I'd much rather be doing something I enjoy.

[Listen_To_Muse]

What we have here is the new Madonna. No joke. Mark my words...

[HELLO KITTY]

lady gagas the best!!! two words for all you:: DONT HATE!!

[chris]

have the people who gives this album good reviews even heard more than the 30 second previews? Because i must admit those sound pretty good, when i previewed this album i thought i'd love it. but honestly. it sucks. the songs are just bad, even bad romance is bad. they're all bad. they have no melody they're just repetitive and ridiculously boring. i found myself skipping every song after about 40 seconds of it. this album sucks. period.

[lisa]

Come on people, she's a lot better than most idiots on the market. Better than average voice and the only artist that changes her voice up to suit the particular song. She writes all or most of her own songs, plays piano at the HIGHEST level, is completely innovative and original.. and she puts on an effing awesome show. The sad thing is that she has dumbed her musical sensibilities for the demands of the mainstream market - which is dance/ house music. Lyrically, she'll get better with experience, at least all her songs aren't about a pretentious love or break situation, they're a little different and quirky. She is explicitly sexual, but there's always an element of fun about it, it's not that narcissistic way, or in a way that degrades women.. which I HATE! I don't like much of the music of my generation, when I'm at a club I am usually shaking my head at how little thought or feeling is put into so much of the music, but if bad romance was to come on, I'll be wrapped. I think that makes me a fan!

[Carrie]

Great album...anyone who doesn't like it just has a problem with Lady Gaga. Don't bash good music because you are narrow-minded!

[Taylor Tinai]

The only thing I was dissapointed at was the fact that there was no more than 8 songs. But, why complain when Wal Mart had savages on Black Friday having orgasims for the $2 DVDs. Thus, the reason how I came across this $8 album, gotta love Wal-Mart and their child laboring schemes! Anyways, when first listening to this album, and skipping through the songs, I didnt quite enjoy it at first. A few more listens, and I feel like Lady Gaga has a way to make her way through my brain. Each song was catchy, simple, yes repetitive but overall it's a pretty enjoyable album. Hate the song "teeth" love "speechless". I feel like Lady Gaga will blossom into a great artist. I feel like right now shes sorta of living off the hype of her own success, which is not wrong at all! But "Speechless" was probably the song that really shows another music side to her, a side in which I would like to see more often. She's a artist in my opinion, still needs work, but I think she'll find the right sound for herself.

[Alex Le]

I think Lady Gaga is still coming into herself as an artist and is definitely an interesting and talented singer and songwriter. She has also been successful in creating an instantly recognizable "brand" and I believe she deserves recognition for her talents. Looking forward to future music from her!