The Fame Monster

Suppose I'll start this review off the same way as the last one. I've been a fan of Lady Gaga ever since Poker Face came out, and had a huge crush on her ever since. Though this is technically an EP as it only contains 8 songs, most fans including myself consider it her second album. As described, this also comes with a second disc containing every song from The Fame, which was what this album was originally meant to be, a "DLC addon" of sorts to her first album. Here, I'll review each of the 8 songs individually as I did for The Fame. Bad Romance: This was the lead single, released to promote this album a few months before it came out. It's very fast paced, and lyrically it's about sharing even the darkest facets of love. It's best summed up by a quote from her that states, "I want the deepest, darkest, sickest parts of you that you are afraid to share with anyone because I love you that much." It does a great job as a lead single and reminds me of my days of playing Halo 3: ODST, as both were released the same month. Alejandro: In my opinion, this is the album's weakest point, but it's far from bad. It has a very dance-able beat that starts off slow and picks up during the chorus. Supposedly the lyrics reference gays in the military, though I wasn't able to tell right off. This song sorta grew on me after a while, and hearing her sing it live at the Born This Way Ball sounded loads better than the studio version. It was the album's third and final single. Monster: The album's title track, and my favorite song out of the eight. The beat is fantastic, and combined with the vocals, it makes for an unforgettable earworm. The lyrics describe the desire to get out of a bad or abusive relationship versus the inability to do so as the person takes over your life. It's one of those "club songs" that still has meaning to it. Speechless: Easily one of my favorites on the album. Another rock/piano ballad that feels like something of a spiritual successor to The Fame's "Brown Eyes". Get ready to go on a feels trip, because this songs lyrics are about Lady Gaga pleading with her ill father to undergo life-saving open heart surgery. Needless to say, it's some moving stuff. Dance in the Dark: As the title might suggest, it has a very dark, ethereal feel to it. This song is about the realization of one's insecurities, as well as overcoming them. It references many famous people who died tragically. Though there is no official music video, the fan-made one is definitely something I recommend checking out. Telephone: My favorite out of the three singles from this album, and this one had the most hype built up around it, as it features Beyonce, who I'm also a fan of. This song and its accompanying music video serve as a sequel to "Paparazzi", with the video taking place where that one last left off. The video had a ton of production put into it and contains a ton of reference to Quentin Tarantino movies. It's a rather humorous plot, with Beyonce breaking Gaga out of jail and killing everyone there. I definitely recommend watching it. So Happy I Could Die: Possibly the "sexiest" song on the album, with a bouncy, dark beat and plenty of references to...well, y'know...jerkin'. It's about using things such as alcohol as an escape to a happier place during tough times, or just to escape reality itself. It's a rather depressing concept that makes for a song with deep meaning to it. Another high point to the album. Teeth: Ending things off is a song with a gothic, almost horror feeling to it. Seriously, the first thing the beat brings to my mind is the "Hang Castle" stage from Sonic Heroes. Lyrically, it's about the idea that there's nothing wrong with telling the truth, she wants you to show her all you've got. It has a bit of an old-school feel to it, and it's very enjoyable. In conclusion, this is yet another incredibly solid album from my favorite pop artist, and much like The Fame, it does a great job at standing out from most mainstream radio pop. If I had to complain about one thing, it'd be the choice of what songs to release as singles, as the best ones on the album are in fact the non-singles IMO. Either way, I highly suggest The Fame Monster if you like Lady Gaga's other two albums.

Every few years or so some stunning new songstress appears on the pop music scene and commands the spotlight. This past year I note a Lady Gaga seems to have been everywhere. The cover of Rolling Stone. Little snips on TV. Videos on YouTube. In the pop press. Who is Lady Gaga? And how did she gain such sudden fame? Well, I first heard her music the XM Radio dance music channel. It really stood out from the general background of selections they play! With only one listen on one song, I knew I had to have her CD album. Why? It's beat heavy, melodic, energetic, catchy and fun; it's my kinda music and it's fun listening! Now, she has another CD out, "The Fame Monster." Well, I had to have it too. How could I resist? I ordered the 8-song version. I received the Deluxe edition of twenty-two songs. The first CD has the eight new songs and the second CD is a repeat of "The Fame" CD. Tough break. I suppose it was a mistake in the Christmas rush. "The Fame" (CD-2 of "The Fame Monster" album) proved out as a wonderful album. There's a lot of brains behind the release of this original CD. It's supposedly a debut album, but it really seems like a Greatest Hits album released after a long and successful career. Every song was a winner and the production was marvelous! And the music stood out and away from all other pop music! Catchy? Jeez Louise! What an assortment of songs! I can't stop listening. This album was a stunning introduction to a sparking new personality. The recording sounds like a crazy concoction mixing electronica, ABBA and Madonna, but it worked big time, plus Lady Gaga has her own very distinct voice and persona. I bought the "Fame" CD, and I'm very satisfied with the entire package. There's not a song I'd delete. If you like to buy individual songs and want to capture the very best tracks, in my opinion you might get MP3s of "Just Dance," "Love Game," "Poker Face," "The Fame," "Starstruck," "Boys Boys Boys," Paper Gangsta" and "I like it Rough." If pressed for a ranking of the songs, I gave "Paper Gangsta" the top nod and "Brown Eyes" the bottom, but all of the songs were excellent. The lyrics were humorous and almost frivolous, but that's the way I like this kind of beat-heavy dance music. It's not made for deep thinking; It's just fun, fun, fun! Relax and enjoy! Now there's another 8 songs to enjoy on CD-1 of "The Fame Monster." All of the songs are quite excellent and in the same beat-heavy electronica fashion as "The Fame" CD. Good listening. Fun Music. The Lady is a wonderful singer/song writer and has attracted immense notice. Where is this going to go? It's one of the greatest starts for a pop star within my recent memory great. What could she possibly do for an encore in 2010? I suspect Lady Gaga going to be another Madonna with a long and lustrous career. Let's hope so for she is certainly an entertaining person so far. Alas, I also recall a number of one-CD wonders. Will Lady Gaga have imitators? Of course, but she's going to be a hard act to follow. Well, in any case, the "Fame" album and "the Fame Monster" followup has to be one of the highlights of the year and a fresh new turn in contemporary pop music. Gary Peterson

Me ha llegado muy bien, amo este álbum, aunque sea un EP, para mí es el mejor álbum que tiene lady gaga, es la definición de la re invención del pop, lo cambio todo, icónica, diva era (me compré también el vinilo de born this way) jaja

ガガ 最高❢ ドライブが楽しい

TUDO PERFEITO

A timeless masterpiece! Gaga's best work yet. Gives me so much nostalgia of the late 2000s! This is REAL MUSIC.

The disc came a bit wraped but it plays fine