DRAMA & GOSSIP

So let's start things off with a review for the most anticipated album of 2011!!

So when the album leaked 1 week before the album was due to hit the shops, it was very tempting to download the album and have a good listen... but no... Throughout the year I've been getting more and more excited about this album, it would only be rude to ruin the experience by downloading it before I had bought it physically. Once I bought the album I went on a long drive to listen to the 17 track deluxe version of the album in it's entirety, and WOW, was it exciting? YES! Was it overwhelming? YES! In fact, it was such an overwhelming experience that I considered ending the listening experience several times during the latter half of the album... but that would simply be rude!

First impressions on first listen... 'Government Hooker' was an instant favourite with it's sledgehammer beats, this track has some great synth work in it. The title track and 'Judas' sounded great in their rightful positions on the album. Other than this the album blended into one for a while because most tracks were upbeat, electronic, and in your face!

After several more listens throughout the week, I began to worry, because I began to question the flow of the tracks, and if it compares to The Fame / Fame Monster (amazing album!)

When a band/artist releases a new album, I always instantly realise that a previous album era is over, therefore I miss that era, so I am constantly comparing the era's.

Anyway, for a while I feared that I did not actually like the album, but as the week went on, and I continued to listen, songs began to pop out. Obviously I'm in love with 'Scheisse', it's definitely the best track on the album, it should be a single. Me and my friends were dying to know what she was saying in German, but it turns out it's just Germanic gibberish! Only GaGa!!!

I had already decided I wasn't a fan of 'Marry the Night', until I fell in love with it! A great way to open to album.

I was surprised when I realised just how amazing 'Heavy Metal Lover' is... What a tune!!! The random echoes of GaGa's voice become very addictive, making for repeated listens! 'Electric Chapel' was an instant favourite, but sadly this song seems to be wearing off. I guess it just doesn't have the staying power to remain interesting. 'Americano'... what can I say? I just don't like Spanish influenced music, I didn't like 'Ain't It Funny' by Jenny from the block and I don't really like 'Americano'. So it's definitely not a favourite on the album. I don't really understand why it has been compared to Madonna's 'La Isla Bonita' though? They sound nothing a like, one is a ballad, one is a dance tune.

The bonus tracks are strange, because they just haven't really had any impact on me, although 'Black Jesus + Amen Fashion' is slowly growing on me, it's an odd pop tune but it's definitely stylish. 'The Queen' and 'Fashion of His Love' currently feel like fillers (well they are bonus tracks) dumped into the middle of the track listing... I'm sure they'll grow eventually, rightfully fitting the flow of the album after repeated listens.

'You & I' (Brown Eyes 3) currently does nothing for me, which is a shame because it reminds me of 'Brown Eyes' and 'Speechless' (Brown Eyes 2), but hopefully after a few more listens it will stick?

The album ends with a great emotional roller coaster with 'The Edge of Glory', it is the perfect pop tune, and feels very 80s (ideal). I've read some reviews that criticize the Saxophone in the bridge... Why?! It's the best bit! The most emotional part on the entire album that plucks on the heartstrings! Leave the Sax alone!

Overall, after early worries regarding disliking the album, after several listens, it is actually a corker of an album, with plenty of tracks to keep me going for a while. The fact that there are numerous tracks that sound like they were released in the '80s is completely ideal because I just love '80s pop!

Born This Way definitely gets my approval! I can't wait to see GaGa perform it live!

But is it better than it's predeccor? At this stage it's really hard to say, because 'The Fame Monster' has been apart of my life for 2 years and it's just too ideal. I think Born This Way is a great addition to GaGa's discography, and after plenty of given time and repeated listens, it may sit on the same perch as The Fame Monster.

Rating: 8/10

Reccomded:

1.) Heavy Metal Lover

2.) Judas

3.) Scheisse