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The Fame Monster (Complete Review)

Lady Gaga's latest album just leaked. The full eight tracks hit the web yesterday. And although I am still buying the record when it is released, I had to listen to all of its tracks.

So here's my overall opinion: the album sounds more uniform than the previous one (The Fame). There is a musical and sound unit connecting the songs together, the exceptions are Speechless and Telephone (their sound do not fit the whole album).

There's a very particular "industrial" sound. I would call it Industrial Pop. Sounds like some industrial rock bands from the late 70s and 80s. But one can feel a heavy influence from some eurodance tracks from the mid-90s. Again, Gaga invests in vintage. The result is good.

The Fame Monster is NOT as brilliant (brilliance as in free and not worried), immature and fresh as The Fame, but it is a great step for Gaga. We are seeing her taking her first steps as a star and not as a wannabe. And here, we can sense some pressure. Opposed to what she sings, she is not the "free bitch" she wants us to believe.

Now, my song by song review:

Bad Romance: Good song. But it gets even better with the video. Clearly, the success of this song depends on the Gaga-Mania and the hyper produced vodka commercial, I mean, beautibul video more than on the song itself. Love the lyrics. Oh, by the way, Brazilians, don't mistake "Romance" (in English) with "romance" (in Portuguese).

Alejandro: The song is better than the one that leaked earlier this month. As any other white-American flirting with Latin cultures, Gaga is a little confused. She starts the song with an Italian accent, but then sings about Alejandro, Fernando, Roberto (all Hispanics) and Mexico rejoice? Is she taking lessons from Cher? For those who don't know what I am talking about, Cher has a song called Dov'e L'Amore (Italian) but the song has Spanish guitars. Coherence? NOT! Cher and Gaga do not know what this word means. But the song is fun.

Monster: "He ate my heart". We heard Gaga saying that before. But now it is a song. Sounds like the other first two tracks. Cute song. I can see all the twinkies at Pulse dancing to it. By the way, I can't wait to see a grown up Gaga singing to adults and not brainless twinkies. She's gonna be even better.

Speechless: Okay, now it's official. All Gaga's piano songs sound the same. And although this one sounds completely organic, if you're not a fan or an avid listener, "Speechless", "Brown Eyes" and "Again and Again" will sound the same for you.

Dance in the Dark: Sounds unfinished. It also has the same structure as "Show me Love" by t.A.T.u. I guess it is the only "wannabe" of the album, by that, I mean, she wanted to sound and make an impression with this song but failed. It's fake and weak. Gaga is too young and, pardon my French, stupid to sound deep and intelligent.

Telephone: By far, the best track on the album. It sounds like a track from the previous album. It is not industrial at all. Great dance track. I love the way it sounds lika a Beyonce song when she (B) sings. Smart track with terrible rhymes. And I remember when people criticized Madonna for rhyming "I like New York" with " Other cities make me feel like a dork". If that was bad, what will they say about Gaga and Beyonce rhyming "Grand Central Station" with "I'll be dancing"? They clearly left their minds on the dance floor. Love love LOVE this song. Ma-ma-ma-ma telephone (yeah, that's how I spell it).

So Happy I Could Die: It is a blend of Eh-Eh and Starstruck. But better than both. I can imagine some really good remixes for it.

Teeth: Wow. A middle-eastern loop going on and a crazy stompy beat followed by guitars. Great song. Gaga is maturing. Yay! She just needs to lose the attitude and the pre-made lines and stop posing as an artist. Come on! Just like her bubble dress, many of the things Gaga represents were not made by her.

This album sounds more like what Gaga wants us to think she is than the previous one. And before anyone asks "who does this guy think he is to review her songs?" I am a guitarrist and a songwriter. I also research Fashion and do not have the nerve to lie about what I wear (unlike Gaga).

I love the album, and just like The Fame, it will be the most played on my iPod. Twice as any other.

Gus Braga