We look back at the debut album from Lady Gaga titled "The Fame," released on August 19, 2008, by Interscope Records. In 2008, American Idol was still on TV. Disney Channel television starlets are climbing up the bubblegum Billboard charts, and Britney Spears suffers a major public breakdown followed by a musical breakthrough. So if there ever were a time for a pop-centric commentary on fame and its manufactured, tear-jerking iPod Shuffle of a psychological roller coaster. She appeared virtually out of nowhere, suddenly dominating popular music. She had an interesting image which she spent a few years cultivating a deliberate and elaborate look and style and became an overnight success.
"The Fame" delivered the featured dance tracks like the fan-crazy love note of "Paparazzi" and self-proclaimed notoriety of "Beautiful, Dirty, Rich." It was definitely catchy. Let's be honest, very Repetitive; yes, as most pop songs tend to be, but there was a carnival mirror quality to this record that reflected a harmless, likable and head-bobble criticism of the lives of the rich and famous. That summer, it proved to be a slow burner, with its singles “Just Dance,” “Poker Face,” “LoveGame,” and “Paparazzi” climbing the charts in an increasingly speedy manner. Other tracks on the album included “I Like It Rough,” “Money Honey,” “Beautiful Dirty Rich,” “Boys Boys Boys,” and the like, and you can kind of guess what these songs sound like before ever hearing them. The only saving grace on the album is the one non-hit single “Eh, Eh (Nothing Else I Can Say),” a charming bit of ’90s throwback featuring airy vocals and an irresistible chorus.
Her development in the past years is nothing short of astonishing since her debut and excitement aren’t enough to describe my anticipation for what's to come next. One might even go as far as to say she already exceeds Madonna, having more command of her career and image at such an early stage. One thing’s for sure: now that Lady Gaga’s music is catching up with her image, she is utterly unstoppable.