The Fame Monster; Lady GaGa

 When you talk about music in 2009, you just can not leave out GaGa fever that has just about everyone in it's spell. With the release of the highly successful debut album, Fame it was a huge surprise to everyone when GaGa announced she will be releasing a new album consisting of eight tracks.

Initially it was planned to be released as the re-release version of The Fame, but GaGa thought it re-releases are unfair and just a mean of record companies to keep their artist's albums floating in the market. She had to convince her record to let her release a completely new album and lo behold, we had The Fame Monster.

Though eight tracks doesn't mean a new album to me but when you have eight amazing songs then I'm sorry, that is an album. Keeping the production rights to Red One, with whose help she created her first of many Number Ones to come, and Rodney Jerkins, GaGa took the world of music by storm once again on November 23rd with the release of Fame Monster.

The track listing is as follows;

1. Bad Romance
2. Alejandro
3. Monster
4. Speechless
5. Dance in the Dark
6. Telephone ft. Beyonce
7. So Happy I Could Die
8. Teeth

Given the huge GaGa fan I am, I'm going to be taking you throw each track personally. The album starts off with 'Bad Romance'. No doubt this is one of the craziest songs of 2009. This song totally sets the mood for the album which is clearly indicating the new era of GaGa. This time going with even more techo beats and a crazy catchy hook, GaGa created one heck of a memorable song. I got mad love for Bad Romance!

'Alejandro' is the second track of the record. The pre-chorus is amazing and once again, instantly settles down into your brain and gets you addicted. This song is another piece of work that will not stop to amaze you. And the rhyming with the names?!

What's up with that?!

GaGa can literally write a book on songwriting. With two tracks through, the GaGa Express shows no signs of stopping. The third track is a real monster. Titled 'Monster' GaGa goes to a darker side of obsession and want. Abit more danceable as compared to the last two, I was completely blown away by this one. Rumored to be the third single, I'm hoping it is. This track is so radio ready, it's unbelievable.

With songs like 'Poker Face', 'Just Dance', 'Love Game' and 'Bad Romance' under her belt, one doesn't exactly count GaGa as someone who would do a ballad. But one this eight track record, she managed to squeeze in one. And man, what a track it is!

'Speechless' is a really shining star. I've often read here and there that GaGa is a performer and not a singer. Well this song will no doubt change their mind. A major piano ballad this song will put you in a trance. GaGa performed this LIVE! on the AMAs and literally left everyone speechless. It was the most amazing performance of the night with the fiery piano and the shattering bottles.

Lyrically speaking, all the song after 'Bad Romance' didn't match up to it. But the fifth track, 'Dance in the Dark' does! With the underlying meaning of bodily insecurities and unwillingness, GaGa marks another hit. And yes, you can dance to this one! Putting it up as a tribute to the famous lives who met tragic ends, GaGa leaves us with another winning track.

Another very radio ready track is 'Telephone'. And this time, GaGa comes along with the R&B Diva, Beyonce Knowles. This song is a pop wonder! Extremely catchy! Highly danceable! Crazy energetic! This song will have your feet stomping in no time. The rapid-fire delivery is simply too good to miss. Like I said, a pop wonder!

'So Happy I Could Die' is possibly the one weak track off the record. I, for one, didn't like it at all. It just seems so un-GaGaish. Lyrically speaking, it's nice and all. But there appears to be something missing. Can't exactly place what is that one thing though!

Last but not the least, we have 'Teeth'. I love the pounding of drums. Very tribal! With a slight S&M flair to the lyrics, the track is insanely catchy. Having a rare mix of gospel and pop, this track is another masterpiece.

Though one track did disappoint me, but the seven others left me thoroughly satisfied. I'm glad GaGa took charge of the record and put out a completely new record. Keeping the material very commercial and at the same time, really good, GaGa has definitely made an impact as an artist. Her rise is steady and keeps on gaining new heights.

With the confirmed news another album out at the end of 2010, this girl is definitely going to keep wowing us for a very long time.

Copyright © Saad Khan 2009 (Karachi, Pakistan; saadkhalidkhan@gmail.com)