If you haven’t heard Lady Gaga’s song, ‘Just Dance’ then many would ask, “Where have you been?”  The song has been dubbed as Song of the Summer by fans and critics alike.  Unlike rival song, ‘I Kissed A Girl’ it is easy to sing and dance to in the club, which is what Songs of the Summer are all about.  ‘The Fame’ is Lady Gaga’s first Studio Album and it has been highly anticipated for months.  Tracks have been appearing online for the last little while, but this fan refused to download any (and in a surprise twist, the album didn’t leak before street date).  I had such a good feeling about the disc that I waited till I could purchase my copy in the store, tear away the plastic and put it in my home stereo.  Did I mention that I found it at Futureshop in Canada for a mere $7.99?  (Rival HMV had it for $9.99).  After all of that, how did it measure up?

The Fame is filled with an assortment of electronic pop tracks that are equally as catchy as the lead single.  Before I feel that I can get in with the good, I have to talk about the one awkward moment on the disc.  ‘Again Again’ is a great track on its own, but it’s completely out of place on the album.  It is a retro-influenced, soul-filled piano driven track.  It would be a perfect b-side, or end-of-album track but in the middle, right before one of the biggest dance tracks on the album, it is displaced and awkward.  With that said, the two tracks that appear at the end of the album do a perfect job in their spots as being slightly different, and yet, flow well with the rest of the album.

Now there are tracks that are very Gaga-sounding including ‘Poker Face’ and ‘Money Honey’ (both which sound like ‘Just Dance pt 2′).  The tracks are enjoyable but not the highlights for this man.  Let’s talk shining points.  There are many.  ‘Lovegame’ is the second track on the album and is floorfiller on its own.  “Let’s have some fun, this beat is sick, I wanna take a ride on your disco stick,” begins the track and instantly catches your attention.  ‘The Fame’ screams REMIX ME and yet on it’s own with its guitar riffs is upbeat enough to drag a buddy on the floor for some vogue-style dancing.

Finally there is ‘Boys Boys Boys’.  If this was released in the spring, the track would be played at nearly every Pride festival.  It was recently featured by fellow Jiingo author, Simon, as he proclaimed Lady Gaga no longer a one-hit wonder.  The 80’s influenced electronic track puts a smile on my face instantly, especially when Gaga says, “You taste like glitter mixed with rock ‘n roll.”  For some reason, I feel record executives would pass on this track being a single, but I believe that would be a big mistake.

According to the sticker that was affixed to my CD when I purchased it, ‘Poker Face’ is going to be a single and Wikipedia suggests ‘Beautiful Dirty Rich.’  I believe that while both tracks are strong, neither have the power to carry the album after the massive ‘Just Dance’ and would be wise to select something else.  Perhaps, there will be a surprise twist to this story, but either way, the album is definitely worth the purchase.

For now, enjoy one of my favourites, ‘Lovegame’

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Tags: Lady Gaga

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