What we're listening to: Born This Way

Born This Way by Lady Gaga
CD Pop/New Age Lady Born
Find it in the catalog!

Lady Gaga's album Born This Way does not disappoint. Since its release in May this CD has been on repeat in my stereo (and in my head). My favorite songs change from week to week, because there are that many good ones. Lately my favorite is the slinky electronica-esque "Heavy Metal Lover." Just as on previous albums Fame and The Fame Monster, Lady Gaga continues to make fun dance songs filled with energy, including "Marry the Night," "Scheiße," "Judas" and "Born This Way."

Born This Way also includes several songs heavily influenced by the '80s. "Hair" and "Edge of Glory" both feature the late Clarence Clemons of The E Street Band on saxaphone, and "Bad Kids" and "Highway Unicorn (Road to Love)" sound like they could have been released 30 years ago. I think this album shows the chameleon-like abilities of Lady Gaga as a singer and songwriter. She sounds different on each song, even singing in Spanish on the mariachi-tinged "Americano" and speaking in German over the addictive track "Scheiße." And by addictive I mean, just try to play that song only once.

While Gaga can always be counted on for catchy dance songs, she also writes emotional ballads like "You and I." This song, about a lost love, is one of my favorite Gaga songs ever. I first heard this song at Gaga's February 28 concert at the United Center. Hunched over the piano attacking the keys, she was on fire singing: "It's been a long time since I came around / Been a long time, but I'm back in town / This time I'm not leaving without you." Her February concert was one of my favorite memories of the year, and this album ranks as one of the best of 2011.

What we're listening to: The Fame Monster by Lady Gaga

Filled with catchy dance hooks also found on Lady Gaga's debut of The Fame,  the songs from The Fame Monster have themes that lean toward the dark side. On the single "Bad Romance" Gaga passionately sings about the desire to stay in a potentially harmful relationship: "I want your ugly / I want your disease." "Monster" compares members of the opposite sex to inhumans: "He's a wolf in disguise / But I can't stop staring in those evil eyes." In another song, Gaga names several specific monsters she doesn't want to be involved with, like "Alejandro," Fernando, and Roberto. My favorite, "Teeth," is about being involved with a vampire. With an intense, southern-influenced beat this song always makes me think of the images in the opening credit sequence from the Louisiana-set TV show True Blood. I think all of the songs on the album are strong and worth multiple listens, including "Telephone," which features Beyonce. The one ballad included on The Fame Monster is the piano-driven "Speechless" where Lady Gaga opens up about the pain caused by an ended relationship. I feel that the songs on this album share the idea that despite the pain and darkness that sometimes accompany relationships we still crave to have a partner in our lives.

I must note that the album's lyrics are censored. I did not realize this until I opened my personal copy and listened to the songs. I am very disappointed that the record company did not allow fans to pick whether or not they wanted the censored versions of the songs. As far as I can tell an uncensored version is not available in CD form; the uncensored album is available as an MP3 download on Amazon or iTunes (let me know if I'm wrong!).

Find it in the catalog!

Gaga oh la-la: Lady Gaga at the Rosemont Theatre, 1/9/10

Over the weekend Lady Gaga was in town for three concerts of "The Monster Ball Tour" at the Rosemont Theatre. Performing songs from both The Fame (2008) and The Fame Monster (2009), Lady Gaga put on an incredible show. I attended the second concert on Saturday and had an awesome time. Before Lady Gaga even took the stage her fans enjoyed themselves dancing to the Michael Jackson songs being piped over the sound system after opening acts Semi Precious Weapons and singer Jason Derulo performed. Impromptu dance parties sprouted up all over the theater and soon a conga line of dancers snaked up and down the aisles. It was so fun listening and dancing to the music and checking out the dance moves of the other Gaga fans. I've never seen anything like that occur at a concert!

Gaga finally took the stage around 9:30. She began with "Dance in the Dark," performing behind a light display that made it appear as though the stage was caged in. For the next song, "Just Dance," Gaga emerged playing a keyboard slung over her shoulder standing on top of a giant transparent cube while the backdrop screens projected a ton of bright colors. The next group of songs came from Gaga's The Fame Monster: "Alejandro," "Monster," and the inspired-by-vampires "let's go to church" Southern stylings of "Teeth" ("Take a bite of my bad girl meat... Show me your teeth!").

Taking a break from the choreography, Gaga sat at the piano and sang a few bars of "Cell Block Tango" from the musical Chicago before singing the emotional "Speechless," at one point stopping to let the audience sing the lyrics. Remaining at the piano Gaga then playfully sang some of her hit "Poker Face," injecting the dance song with some undeniably powerful notes and soul. Returning to her dance songs, Gaga performed a big chunk of cuts from The Fame, including "LoveGame," "The Fame," "Beautiful, Dirty, Rich," "Paper Gangsta," "Boys Boys Boys" and "Paparazzi." "So Happy I Could Die" (from The Fame Monster) was also performed, but I can't remember which part it was in the set list. For "Paparazzi" two of her dancers held up a beam that was attached to Gaga's hair by two large hooks. She also performed the popular "Poker Face," this time with her dancers instead of the piano. She closed the show out with "Eh Eh (Nothing Else I Can Say)" followed by the hit "Bad Romance."

Gaga changed costumes several times throughout the concert but didn't make the audience wait too long for her reappearance. She also talked to the audience quite a bit between songs, remembering how when she performed at Lollapalooza a couple years ago she had just been dropped by a major record label. Gaga often emphasized how much she appreciates her fans (Little Monsters, she calls us); she said that she doesn't exist until she steps on stage to perform. She also brought attention to the RE*Generation campaign to raise awareness and money for youth homelessness. Fans that volunteered through the FREE.I.P program received free tickets to her tour, and Gaga pledged to match each $1 donation at ladyvirgin.com, up to $25,000.

During the entire concert Gaga continued singing live as she performed choreography for each song with her back-up dancers. She has a powerful voice and is a crazy-creative performer, and the high-energy of both Lady Gaga and her fans was constant throughout the concert. I felt the music vibrating on my arms, had a blast dancing the whole night, and really felt like I was a part of an extraordinary experience with all the other Little Monsters (insert monster claw hand here).

All photos by Danielle

What we're listening to: The Fame by Lady Gaga

I know I'm a little behind the times, as The Fame came out in 2008, but I only recently got a copy from the library after being on the hold list since late March. That's how popular Lady Gaga's music is, and I can see why. The Fame is full of fun, addictive dance songs you'll want to play over and over again. Lady Gaga often gets attention for her crazy outfits and awards-show performances. Focus on her music and you'll see she is a powerful singer and songwriter; she co-wrote all the songs on the album. Her creative music videos and outfits are just icing on the cake. My favorite songs on the album include "Poker Face," "Just Dance," "Lovegame," and "Starstruck." The Fame was recently nominated for several Grammy awards, including Album of the Year and Best Electronic/Dance Album. The undeniably catchy song "Poker Face," produced by RedOne, received nominations for Record of the Year, Song of the Year, and Best Dance Recording. The Fame has also recently been re-released in a deluxe edition called The Fame Monster, which includes 8 new songs, including "Bad Romance." Lady Gaga is currently on "The Monster Ball Tour" and will perform at the Chicago Theatre January 8, 9, and 10.


Find it in the catalog!