Album Review: Lady Gaga's 'Mons†er' Alter Ego

Another recent review of mine written for one of my college publications (this is my original, unedited piece) when Lady GaGa was just about to re-release her multi-million debut album 'The Fame':

Alter Ego

Lady Gaga unveils her dark side as she releases her eagerly anticipated follow up to her multi-million selling debut album entitled ‘The Fame: Monster’. Much more than just a standard re-release, the double CD collection contains eight entirely new songs marking the start of things heading in a new direction for the megastar…

Whether you love or hate her, there is just no missing Lady Gaga. After taking the music scene by storm a little over a year ago with her debut: ‘The Fame’, her name has practically been permanently integrated into popular culture. Her often bizarre sense of style combined with her ridiculously catchy pop hooks have made her the latest artist everyone seems to want a piece of.

The public seem to be divided in their opinions of the star. She’s either an original that has suitably refreshed the bland music of today or a copycat who’s just taken ideas and looks from various stars and called it her own. Whichever side of the fence your on, one thing that is certain is that she’s going to be around for quite a while.

Born in New York City, the 23 year old, whose real name is Stefani Germanotta, originally started out as a burlesque dancer before signing her record deal. The rest, as they say, is history. Her album ‘The Fame’ has gone Platinum across the globe, notched up four hit singles including Just Dance and Poker Face (which has been certified the most downloaded song in the history of the UK singles chart) and sold just over 4 million copies worldwide. Not half bad for the artist who was an unknown a year ago.

Out on the 23^rd of November, I know a lot of you must be thinking that the re-release in question is just a cash-in of The Fame with a few tracks added on at the end. It's not that at all – this is a collection of songs in its own right. When you buy this you will not be buying The Fame again in order to get at a couple of extra songs – you'll be buying a new album which just so happens to have a copy of The Fame in the same box.

Lyrically, sonically, melodically and conceptually it's right up there with its predecessor The Fame, with a definite feel of things moving in a new direction.

First up, lead single off the album: ‘Bad Romance.’ She’s collaborated again with producer RedOne so think Poker Face reinvented. A dark mid-tempo song with a catchy chorus that fits right in with the whole ‘Monster’ theme of the album. A solid first single release.

Next is ‘Alejandro.’ Rumoured to be one of the 3 follow up singles after Bad Romance, Gaga seems to pay homage to Madonna with this modern version of ‘La Isla Bonita.’ It has a definite Spanish feel to in terms of the lyrics and music and marks a change in direction for her. It’d be nice to see more of this from her in the future.

We then have ‘Monster’ - Opens with snatches of dialogue ('Don't call me Gaga') then launches into a story of Gaga pulling a "wolf in disguise". This one has dark lyrics, plenty of sexual innuendos and is almost irritatingly catchy. Produced again by RedOne (There’s a lot on the internet about how he seems to be keeping all this best songs for her which will of course be open to debate for some!) don’t think this one will be a single but an important element to the album and ‘So Happy I Could Die’ - A mid-tempo number with some Tiesto-esque bits thrown in. Again, possibly not single potential but a good listen with some very interesting lyrics.

Next single after Bad Romance is rumoured to be the Beyonce collaboration ‘Telephone.’ I’m not a huge fan of this one but the lyrics are quirky and it’s a definite grower. This duet between the two, will conviently be released after Beyonce’s individual collaboration with Gaga on her song ‘Video Phone’ also out later this month. Neither song has connections to each other in case you’re wondering.

The biggest surprise on this album for me was the Ron Fair produced power balled ‘Speechless’ written by Gaga herself about her father’s heart condition. It doesn’t sound anything like the stuff we’ve heard from her before and is a potential single. It’s going to be huge for her.

Finishing off we have the brilliant ‘Dance in the Dark’ with the super chorus and the Madonna ‘Vogue’ style rap thrown in the middle – my personal favourite off the CD and the downright weird closing track: ‘Teeth.’ A bouncy marching song that hints at the new direction for the third album.

In brief: A worthy follow up to it’s predecessor, with at least four potential singles, some elements of the songs don’t work at times but there are no real filler tracks here. ‘Monster’ and ‘Bad Romance’ have elements of ‘Just Dance’ and "Poker Face’ these being nods to The Fame while other songs like ‘Dance In The Dark’ and ‘Teeth’ hint at what lies ahead for the next Lady Gaga album.

She’s here to stay it seems and even if you’re among the music lovers who dislike her, as the lady herself said: “A good pop chorus never killed anyone.”

Television Stars...

A blast from the past now: a while back I did an interview with Grace, a member of Dublin band 'Television Room.' Check out the interview below:

Following in the footsteps of The Blizzards and The Coronas, Television Room are a newly-formed pop/indie group that are slowly but surely making their mark on the Irish music scene. Jennifer McShane talks to band member Grace Fay about life in the band, making music videos and why she’s more than just a pretty face.

I

n the presence of most members from popular bands one would almost expect to feel a few things: intimidated, nervous and have even a sense of dread at the thought of the upcoming interview. Arrogance is said to be a common trait in some new bands and getting a member to open up can be like pulling teeth. None of this however was the case as I sat down to talk to Grace Fay about her life in Television Room. Not the title of a TV series, but the quirky name of the newly formed band from Dublin.

Appearing fully at ease and very relaxed as we sit in her conservatory at her family home, Grace tells me how the band first got together. “I saw an ad on the internet originally looking for a Bass player put up by Michael (front man of the band) and the other four members we either met through friends or on the internet. So we’re like an internet-based band really.” says the stunning 24 year old, laughing. This happened in early 2007 and the band has been going strong ever since. Consisting of five members: Michael, James, Fergus, Grace and Mia, the band have already gigged all over the country, released two singles and made two music videos. Quite a CV for a band who are still in the early stages of their career.

Grace’s role as a musician is a noted change from the parts that females usually play in bands. She plays the keyboards, glockenspiel, melodica as well as the synthesiser. “I hate that ‘token girl in the band’ label that’s attached to the woman in the group” she says. “A lot of people assume the female is there to just look nice so it’s nice to break away from that.” Clearly much more than just a pretty face all of the instruments Grace plays were self-taught. This brings us to talking about the bands image. Though Grace agrees that image is obviously very important, she says that it was never taken too seriously by all in the band: “It’s always hard to find an image in the first place, but everyone just dresses their own way and it seems to work very well.”

She tells me that all of the members get on great together and have become her best friends. She laughs as she recalls making their first music video for the song Tinabelle: “We had to carry this couch up a hill in Houth and we were freezing!” All didn’t go exactly to plan when a group of German tourists “borrowed” the CD player they were using to play the track. “We just came back from lunch and it was gone!” she says. Luckily they had more or less finished with it and everyone had a laugh about it after. I ask about their first live gig in the Ambassador. She mainly recalls her nerves: “I had never played the synthesiser live before so I was so nervous.” But she says the reaction was great from the crowed and she’s obviously a lot more comfterble on stage now.

The Irish music scene is “stuck in one place” according to Grace. She says the bands themselves have moved forward but because of the large amount of bands coming out its harder then ever for Irish bands to make a break through. “Basically anything that’s big in the UK or US is going to be big in Ireland and that’s part of the problem. I don’t think people are as willing to take a chance with Irish bands.” She says what has really helped the band, in terms of becoming known are sites like Bebo and Myspace. “All our promotion work for singles and gigs are done through those sites. I just think it gets the music out there really well, especially to the younger audiences.” All the work with the sites is done solely by the band who doesn’t have a manager. “It’s really hard to find a manager that has the band’s best interests at heart.” She says. “So until we find the right person we prefer to do it all ourselves.”

I ask what her career highlights have been so far and she pauses momentarily before saying that she’s most proud of hearing their recordings. “It’s something you’ve worked for and it’s great to be able to hear the results of that.” The songs are produced by Tom McFall who has worked with the likes of R.E.M and Wheezer in the past. Grace tells me that “everyone has their own part to play” in terms of the music in the band so it’s all a team effort. The band obviously has a bright future ahead of them and I ask Grace what she’s most looking forward to. “I’m looking forward to the album that will probably be out later in the year and I’d ultimately love the band to be really well known, not just in Ireland but other places too.” As a final parting question I ask if she would ever go as far as to go on a reality show to raise the profile of the band. “God no!” She says, laughing. “I understand why some might be inclined to do that sort of thing but I think the music should always speak for itself.” And it really does.

Television Room’s debut album: ‘House’ is available to download now from Itunes and all other digital outlets. For more information on the band visit there Myspace at: www.myspace.com/televisionroom

Christina Aguilera goes 'Bionic'....

You have to hand it to Christina Aguilera, she never fails to reinvent herself. She's been a pop princess, a 'dirrty' rebel, a 1920s pin up and now it seems she's gone all robotic on us.

After a long four year break, Aguilera is back in the limelight with her fourth studio album entitled 'Bionic.' This time around we see the star experimenting with different electro-pop sounds and toning down her usual powerhouse vocals to create the desired effect.

Aguilera describes the album as a unique mix of many genres and styles of music: "I was able to explore and create a fresh, sexy feel using both electronic and organic elements with subject matter ranging from playful to introspective. I am so excited for my fans to hear the new sound. It is something I don't think anyone will expect."

The sound is definitely new for her, but despite the good production quality and variety of sounds, Aguilera doesn't quite pull it off. Lead single from the album 'Not Myself Tonight' contains catchy hooks but the lyrics are lackluster and the song becomes dull after repeated listens. Not the strongest song on the album by any means and the wrong choice for the first single. The label decided to release it at the last minute and this ill - fated decision had a disastrous effect, with the song charting only in the top 40 in most countries.

The ballads are where Aguilera really shines. 'All I need' and 'Lift Me Up' are two other strong contenders on the album but that all important main tear jerker is confirmed second single 'You lost me' where the simplistic melody and the raw emotion in Aguilera's voice make the song an album highlight. Not the correct choice for a summer single and this again, probably won't do the album's sales any favours .

Other album highlights include the cheeky, playful 'Woohoo' and the irresistibly catchy 'Vanity' and 'I Hate Boys' and the excellent Sia produced 'Birds of Prey' (which for some reason unknown to me was left off the standard edition of the album and tagged on as an extra track on the Deluxe Edition).

Just a note: If your only just discovering Aguilera, the single choices do not play up to the albums highlights so its best to listen to it as it was intended; in its full entirety.

Despite being a huge Aguilera fan, I was disappointed by the album. The songs are inconsistent and despite the best intentions, the sound sounds dated compared to other electro-pop albums out there now. (I'm thinking specifically of M.I.A here).

Unfortunately for Aguilera, who never really had any previous competition when it came to music releases, she comes back at a time where Lady GaGa is now a global sensation, the current popular culture obsession and definitely her strongest competitor. Certainly her vocal talent remains unquestionable but the music isn't up to its predecessor's standard. If Aguilera is looking to take the crown off the current queen, she is going to have to try a whole lot harder than this.

Overall rating: 3/5 - Some strong moments and solid production, but not enough solid songs to carry the 'Bionic' sound off.

Bionic is out now.