That Grape Juice were one of a few select media outlets invited to the New York listening session for Lady GaGa’s hotly anticipated sophomore effort ‘The Fame Monster’, which took place last night. While I, Sam, am stationed in here in London, That Grape Juice is international baby, therefore our new New York correspondent Cherry was on hand to get all the juicy info. So without further ado, check out our preview of ‘The Fame Monster’ below (previously heard singles ‘Bad Romance’ and ‘Telephone are omitted for obvious reasons’):
Album Preview: The Fame Monster
There’s no question Pop phenomenon Lady Gaga has had an incredible year with the success of her debut album, ‘The Fame’, as well as the amazing, jaw-dropping, performances on various award and TV shows. Hence, it’s little surprise that Gaga serves up the hotness with her sophomore LP, ‘The Fame: Monster’.
The eight tracks range from mid-to-up-tempo beats, which are sure to find to comfort at any club, in the car or at a social outing. Key producers on the ‘The Fame: Monster’ are RedOne, Rodney “Darkchild” Jerkins, Teddy Riley, Space Cowboy and her Interscope head Ron Fair. Lady Gaga wrote or co-wrote the entire album.
As mentioned in past interviews this album addresses the monsters that the 23 year old has encountered for the past 2 years as she’s travelled the world. These monsters (sex, love, loneliness, alcohol, death) are evident in the deliverance and execution of the lyrics on each song.
‘Alejandro’, which was written by RedOne and Lady Gaga and produced by RedOne, delivers a Spanish-tinged vibe over an Electro-Pop beat. The production and the flow of the song possess a distinct aura of 80s Madonna during her “Who’s That Girl” era. This track will definitely appeal to an audience internationally. Some lyrics taken from the booklet: You know that I love you boy * Hot like Mexico * Rejoice * At this point I’ve gotta choose * Nothing to lose* Don’t call my name * Don’t call my name * Alejandro.
‘Monster’, which was written by RedOne, Lady Gaga and Space Cowboy (produced by RedOne), unanimously received rave reviews. This song is a chart-topper, no ifs-buts-or-maybes! The beat is sick! It’s probably one of the hottest tracks I’ve heard in a long time. It kind of reminded me of a 80s, throwback Pop cut that will sure as anything be most requested at the clubs! The group loved it so much it had to play it more than once! Lyrics include: I just wanna dance* But he took me home instead* Uh-Oh there was a monster in my bed * We frenched kissed on a subway train * He tore my clothes right off * He ate my heart then he ate my brain.
The alternative Rock-meets-Bluesy track ‘Speechless’ showcases Lady Gaga’s vocal range. If you weren’t sure if she could actually sing this song proves she can! The guitar and piano mix is hot-fire and you can feel the passion in her vocal delivery. This song is more of a mid-tempo, yet it’s boasts a healthy balance from the other fast paced, dance-orientated tracks on the album. Lyrics include: I’ll never talk again* oh boy you’ve left me speechless * you’ve left me speechless* and I’ll never love again.
Another real favourite of mine was ‘So Happy I Could Die’. Instantly ascertainable here is that she’s addressing her alcohol ‘monster’. The song was written and produced by Lady Gaga, RedOne and Space Cowboy. The production is very ‘GaGa’, in that it too is a dark, up-tempo which when released will be making a bee-line for the dance-floor. Lyrics include: Open up your heart and your mind to me * Just know when that glass is empty* that the world is gonna bend* Happy in the club with a bottle of red wine* Stars in our eyes cuz we’re having a good time* eh-eh* so happy I could die.
Two songs which didn’t rouse me as much were ‘Dance in the Dark’, written by Lady Gaga and Fernando Garibay (who produced the track as well) and ‘Teeth’ (produced by Teddy Riley). Much like the bulk of the album, Dance in the Dark, is unsurprisingly an up-tempo dance number, yet one which falls a little short in comparison to the LP’s stronger cuts. ‘Teeth’ had a soulful, bluesy vibe to it which kind of gave a nod to the swinging 20s era. Refreshing for GaGa, yet it’s questionable as to how much it actually works.
Important to stress here is that ‘The Fame Monster’ is a NEW album not a re-release of the ‘The Fame’ LP with additional tracks – as initially suggested by her team. It will be packaged in 3 different ways: an 8-track single disc ($7.99), Deluxe Edition to include tracks from The Fame ($18) and a Super Deluxe Edition which will include a lock of her hair weave ($95). ‘The Fame: Monster’ will be in stores November 23rd and regardless which edition you purchase, you will not be disappointed!
I think LADY GAGA proves that when people believe in something and when a sound or a visual is real and alive- people will cough up the cash.
I dont like Alejandro and Dance In The Dark, Telephon is also horrible… this cheap electro dance sound is just not working for me… but I cant wait to her that song Monster
DEATH @ a lock of her hair.. chile please..
I like that she does her own thing and she can actually sing, but she’s overrated.. really.. Then again I think Beyonce is overrated. I may be in the minority but I can think for myself.
THE TRUTH ABOUT LADY GAGA IS THAT ONLY HER LOOKS AND VISUAL ART IS INTERESTING (yet her piano skills are good also)
but AS A MUSICIAN, she’s a J-O-K-E.
She’s a bad writer as well
but HER SOUND IS TOO EURO DANCE TO BE EVEN RELEVENT.
RIHANNA’S NEW ALBUM IS GOING TO BE NUMBER ONE because it is well composed !!!!!!!!
^^^^, YOU ARE DELUSIONAL…RIRI STANS KILL ME..UMM NOONE WANTS TO DOWNLOAD THAT GARBAGE EVEN WHEN IT IS ALL OVER AND HERE YOU WANT TO COME AND TALK ABOUT IT GOING TO NUMBER 1..LMAOOOOOOOOOO..
UM YOU WANT TO CALL OUT GAGA BUT WHAT CAN RIHANNA DO…UM WAITING??????OH OK, I GUESS TAKE NAKED PICTURES TO TRY AND A SELL S*** CD..BWAHHHHHHHHHHH..
NOV 23..FAME MONSTER IT IS..GET IT GAGA..BTW SHE JUST SOLD OUT ALL HER FAME HALL SHOWS WITHIN SECONDS…SHE IS RULING RIGHT NOW SO DEAL WITH IT B******!!!
@ WTF, I’m sorry to say this but Rihanna WILL outsell Gaga this go around, simply based on all the controversy surrounding ‘you know what’, and the way she’s milking the hell out of the situation by going on these talk shows and speaking on it, playing the victim with this new “dark image” and whathaveyou.
The truth of the matter is that both Rihanna AND Gaga are f****** jokes when it comes to real artistry. I hate Beyonka even more than these untalented skanks, but one thing I have to admit about Beyonka is that she’s not untalented. The b**** DOES know how to sing and she DOES know how to shake her ass so well so that it has her delusional stans calling it choreography. Rihanna and Gaga can neither dance NOR sing – with them it’s all about looks and who can dress like a freak/weirdo more. THAT’S not artistry, that’s a JOKE. When you dress like a clown, you represent yourself as such, and I said this once before and I’ll say it again – Lady Gaga is the white Rihanna, and Rihanna is the black Lady Gaga. There’s really no difference between the two.
But like I already said, RiRi will outsell Gaga because of everything that’s happened. I’ll be surprised if it’s the other way around, but at this point it’s unlikely.
Some of you guys don’t actually understand what the point of some artist’s music is. They don’t have to be world changing messages with deep morals. Most people listen to music for fun, not to be lectured at.
Lady GaGa is a great artist, she knows exactly how to merge the visual with the audio, creating a purely amazing live concert. If you don’t like that, fine, but just remember: It’s all for fun. And they need to make a living.
DANCE IN THE DARK is PHENOMENAL!!! Cant believe you dont like it. I’m not too impressed with Teeth and the Alejandro demo was actually better than the album cut.
GaGa will outsell RiRi because she has a WAY bigger buzz going. AND her album is gunna be $7.99!
Rihanna’s stuff isnt even being downloaded after it already leaked as someone else stated.
Awesome review! As a non Lady GAGA fan, this review intrigues me to at least give the album a chance. 😉
I love her Lady GaGa is the best singer that I’ve ever known
Someday I’m gonna marry with her
How she said at the Paparazzi
I’m your biggest fan, I’ll follow U until you love me-eh
Drawing attention to Awolluva’s most recent post…
Rihanna has not out-sold GaGa. so stfu thanks.