STUCK RECORDS

Lady Gaga – ‘The Fame Monster’
UK Release 23/11/09 (Interscope)

It’s supposed to be a concept album about how fame is “a really double-edged sword”. But if you’re not grinning within thirty seconds of the start of ‘The Fame Monster’, then you’re of a stronger constitution than I am (the phrase “Gaga oh la la” features prominently). The opening track ‘Bad Romance’ is a very strong single and it’s not even the best thing here. For a cash-in exercise ‘The Fame Monster’ is far, far better than it needed to be, the quality control is so high throughout the 8 track bonus disc it’s incredible. This is a real statement of intent: it is clear that Lady Gaga intends to keep a strong hold of the reins and guide her career into the stratosphere. Only people like Prince and Madonna put as much effort in to their work as this. Take ‘Alejandro’ as an example, tossed away on an afterthought like this and yet it absolutely MUST be a single. It is a superb cosmic disco classic – even Lady Gaga’s hopeless cod foreign accent on the intro (is she trying to sound Mexican or Italian?) can’t derail it. ‘Monster’ is almost as good – the big drums and robot voice (“HE ATE MY HEART! HE A-A-ATE MY HEART!”) outdo the Italo-inspired efforts of Little Boots effortlessly. ‘So Happy I Could Die’ is similar to – but better than – anything Kylie has done since ‘Fever’. Then there’s the collaboration with Beyonce. That should speak volumes about this project; an A-lister like Beyonce drafted in where, for any other artist a b-side or DVD extra disc would have sufficed. The track in question (‘Telephone’) is uptempo and funny, and one hopes the pair collaborate more in the future. ‘The Fame Monster’ is an almost unqualified success, only ‘Speechless’ is a slight dip in form. The artwork is excellent, the concept works, and taken with ‘The Fame’ it’s tempting to call it the best pop album of 2009.

*****
Ciarán Gaynor