The Fame,
Interscope Records,
2008
By Sarah McCarthy
The Fame may be an unfitting title for a debut album, but perhaps works in its prophetic-ness. Already hailed as the “future of pop,” newcomer Lady Gaga is just beginning to make a splash in the music industry. While The Fame is not a masterpiece, it is a fantastic peak into what the feisty Lady Gaga can deliver.
Lady Gaga has found her niche in electropop. She has the singing chops of a pop singer, but she also carries an edge to her that is reminiscent of M.I.A. or Gwen Stefani. Her tracks already have the blogosphere going crazy, and she is slowly taking over mainstream as well.
Lady Gaga is only 22, but her music is far from naïve. Her music reeks of excess and sexual undertones. In “Dirty Sexy Rich” and “Money Honey,” she heads to the over-privileged club scene of the Lower East Side. Just like her scene, her songs feel like a guilty pleasure; they carry an addictive vibe that refuses to let the listener go.
The album starts off strong with “Just Dance,” a fun dance track that has already reached number one on the charts in Australia and Canada. She hits a high point with “Pokerface,” a hypnotizing tune that is sure to become a club classic. Lady Gaga is not a one-trick pony though–as a whole, The Fame is an incredible dance album.
Lady Gaga falls short when she steers clear of her strengths and opts for a mellower feel. “Eh, Eh (Nothing I Can Say)” and “Brown Eyes” aren’t total flops, but both give off this weird 90s vibe–a vibe that should have been left in the 20th century with the Spice Girls and Aqua. However, the closer “Summerboy” manages to have a slower tempo while still being cute and sassy, and not providing any unwanted flashbacks.
Lady Gaga is already one hit away from mega-stardom, but it is not her music that will keep her relevant. Her over-the-top, glittery live shows have gained her a name among the alternative crowds. Even her stage act won’t be enough for the music industry to remember her after a year, but with a good follow-up album, she could be on her way to legendary status in the electropop genre.