By Adreon Patterson
I seldom ever listen to the radio. Every song sounds the same to me, whether it’s rock, pop, rap or R&B. It seems as if artists (more likely the record companies) are scared to put out new and innovative sounds on the airwaves. But this summer, when I heard this song with a Euro pop sensibility, booming bass line and a catchy chorus, I felt like I’d found something different.
The amazing ear candy was “Just Dance” by Lady Gaga with fellow Kon Live artist Colby O’Donis. At first I was not very impressed. I thought, “Great, another dance song on the radio with no substance, only filler.” But the more I listened to the song, the more I started getting on the Lady Gaga train. The song just hit number one here in the U.S. as well as the U.K, in addition to earning a Grammy nod.
Lady Gaga is a dance pop artist who spent some time in the underground club scene in New York City. Initially signed to Def Jam under music impresario L.A. Reid, Gaga eventually signed with Jimmy Iovine at Interscope Records in a joint venture with singer Akon’s Kon Live Distribution. Lady Gaga spent months working her debut album with producers like RedOne and Martin Kierszenbaum and club DJ Space Cowboy.
Many of the songs on her album are written or co-written by her. Two of the songs show off her piano skills. After opening for New Kids on the Bock and Pussycat Dolls, Lady Gaga is soon heading out on her own tour called “The Fame Ball Tour.”
Lady Gaga’s album, “The Fame,” is an exploration of electro-glam, David Bowie-esque ballads, Queen-inspired mid-tempos, urban melodies and pop choruses with a rock ‘n’ roll edge. All of these elements converge while taking aim at “famous for no reason” rich kids (at least in my opinion, we all can celebrate that). From the pulsing dance pop of “Just Dance” to the sunny 90’s dance music of “Eh, Eh (Nothing Else I Can Say)” to the electro-pop rock of “Brown Eyes,” this set of tunes is custom made to please the listener.
Lady Gaga gives you a musical spectrum as eclectic and eccentric as Gaga’s personality and fashion sense. The album’s title really comes through in three songs: the celebrity stalker-themed “Paparazzi,” the spoiled rich kid anthem “Beautiful, Dirty, Rich” and the title track. Each song illustrates the celebrity and fame obsession that has plagued not only the U.S., but the entire world over the past few years. For those who are really into the club scene and dance music.
This is an album you will want to add to your collection. For those who don’t care too much for dance music, you might like to try songs like “Again, Again” and “Brown Eyes.”