Spring Break
The likes of Lady Gaga must go
by Brad Stern
Staff Writer
Arts | 1/27/09
Posted online at 2:11 AM EST on 1/27/09
If you are at all familiar with me, you know full well that the subject of Lady Gaga is one that warrants constant brooding within my world. One minute I'm spouting poisonous condemnations of the up-and-coming celebri-lite and the next I'm mumbling my way through "Poker Face" and its unstoppable "muh-muh-muh-my!" moments.
I have encountered an artist that manages to simultaneously inspire equal levels of vitriol and joy. I've tried on no less than three separate occasions to weave together my inconsistent, unconnected Gaga thoughts to no avail. But with the recent news of Gaga's "Just Dance" creeping up to the number-one spot on the Billboard 200 Chart nearly one year after its initial release, I thought I'd gargle on some Gaga for a change. Keep in mind, though, that my thoughts are still forming and scattered; this is simply how I feel right now.
Chances are you've seen Gaga toting her disco stick along somewhere: On stage at the Miss Universe awards, on YouTube or perhaps even at your favorite late night New York City haunt. If not, you probably will soon. With a self-professed intention to save the world "one sequin at a time," Lady Gaga is on a mission to revitalize the pop world and bring new energy to the scene.
Her slow rise to fame has already granted her comparisons to the Queen of Pop herself, Madonna: Both artists grew within the New York City club circuit, slowly garnering a loyal fan base. Fear not, Madge enthusiasts-there's no competition.
On stage, Lady Gaga's performances are entertaining, if not briefly captivating. She performs in futuristic garb-tight V-cut leotards and exaggerated, sharp shoulder pads that make her appear not unlike a giant triangle onstage. Along with the fact that Gaga tends to sing live (a rarity in pop, though not necessarily a plus), she has an arsenal of props in tow: her often-mentioned "disco stick," a light-up ice wand that serves no real purpose other than to be swung about and stuck in between opportune places and chunky, black, illuminated LED glasses with scrolling text that reads "Pop music will never be low brow," to name a couple. There's even a strange vocoder microphone that she occasionally straps on for instant auto-tunage.
I have encountered an artist that manages to simultaneously inspire equal levels of vitriol and joy. I've tried on no less than three separate occasions to weave together my inconsistent, unconnected Gaga thoughts to no avail. But with the recent news of Gaga's "Just Dance" creeping up to the number-one spot on the Billboard 200 Chart nearly one year after its initial release, I thought I'd gargle on some Gaga for a change. Keep in mind, though, that my thoughts are still forming and scattered; this is simply how I feel right now.
Chances are you've seen Gaga toting her disco stick along somewhere: On stage at the Miss Universe awards, on YouTube or perhaps even at your favorite late night New York City haunt. If not, you probably will soon. With a self-professed intention to save the world "one sequin at a time," Lady Gaga is on a mission to revitalize the pop world and bring new energy to the scene.
Her slow rise to fame has already granted her comparisons to the Queen of Pop herself, Madonna: Both artists grew within the New York City club circuit, slowly garnering a loyal fan base. Fear not, Madge enthusiasts-there's no competition.
On stage, Lady Gaga's performances are entertaining, if not briefly captivating. She performs in futuristic garb-tight V-cut leotards and exaggerated, sharp shoulder pads that make her appear not unlike a giant triangle onstage. Along with the fact that Gaga tends to sing live (a rarity in pop, though not necessarily a plus), she has an arsenal of props in tow: her often-mentioned "disco stick," a light-up ice wand that serves no real purpose other than to be swung about and stuck in between opportune places and chunky, black, illuminated LED glasses with scrolling text that reads "Pop music will never be low brow," to name a couple. There's even a strange vocoder microphone that she occasionally straps on for instant auto-tunage.
Viewing Comments 1 - 4 of 4
sara
posted 1/27/09 @ 11:42 AM EST
I like that you aren't closed minded, and that you questioned whether you were right or wrong.
I personally LOVE Lady Gaga. It's just refreshing to see someone who can actually SING, writes her own music, and designs ALL her clothing. (Continued…)
FadingSpark
sara
posted 1/27/09 @ 11:44 AM EST
I like that you aren't closed minded, and that you questioned whether you were right or wrong.
I personally LOVE Lady Gaga. It's just refreshing to see someone who can actually SING, writes her own music, and designs ALL her clothing. (Continued…)
Kirk Thaddeus
posted 1/28/09 @ 9:45 AM EST
With all the Britneys, Mileys, Hillarys (Duff) out there, this writer fails to mention that the pop music scene is full of digitized/studio altered recordings plus of course a whole army of songwriters as far as Sweden. (Continued…)
Sascha
posted 2/23/09 @ 2:51 AM EST
Lady GaGa is AMAZING! Its so rare to see a pop artist who is SO into their music like she is. All she seems to care about is her music. She writes her own music and thats hard to come by in an artist these days. (Continued…)
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