My Amazon Reviews: Lady Gaga "The Fame"

Gonna Take a Ride on The Disco Schtick
5 Out of 5 Stars

When one makes machine-pop, where every song is made by the same batch of producers and writers, it is a mighty feat to make yourself stand above the crowd. Lady Gaga, who follows the long tradition of everyone from Yma Sumac to Madonna, elevates herself over the mundanities of popular music by sheer force of personality. Add that she's a prodigy and an expert musician, and you get a sense that "The Fame" is more than just a run-of-the-mill pop album.

It took me a considerable amount of time to warm up the Lady Gaga. The songs on the fame are all state of the moment dance music, and her flamboyance often overshadows just how good these songs are. As co-writer of all the songs here, Gaga is also a step up the creative ladder. She knows a good ear-worm when she pens one, which is why tricky lines in "Pokerface" or "Lovegame" just don't leave your head. Gaga also knows that titillation is just as good as the best hook, so a touch of naughty is as infallible as the best hook. That may be the best lesson she copped from Madonna, but "The Fame" holds its own musically after repeat listens.

She also has enough change-ups to knock aside thoughts that Gaga is nothing but a dance-diva. "Brown Eyes" is the kind of song Gwen Stefani wishes she could still write, and "Eh Eh, Nothing else I can Say" is genial pop. It's clear that Gaga is concerned about the craft of her work, but she also loves the spotlight. It's tough not to invoke Elton John or David Bowie, performers who reinvented their daily life as wild, over the top characters, but Gaga does so repeatedly in her music (of course, in her shows as well). She wants it all, both the fame and the cred, even as she approaches it from the outside in. "The Fame" is, like her or not, the birth of the decade's first serious pop-diva.

 

Finally, Some Catching Up. Book Sales, Driving in the Rain and Avoid The Winking Lizard.

This time last week, David Stein (on the left, above), Alex Ironrod, artist John Randle and I had already finished our kinky creativity forum in Ohio for Cleveland Leather Awareness Weekend. I was very happy with the forum, as we had about 25 attendees early in the event (Friday at 1:30), and those in attendance asked plenty of questions. The three authors in the crew each read from a slection of their work, while John described how he makes decisions regarding his kinky painting. (His triptych on display was beautiful.)

David arrived in Philly from NYC via Bolt Bus Weds for an overnight stay, displacing poor Sophie Cat from her usual room. On Thursday, we headed for Pittsburgh with a stop in Carlisle for what David called "the best crab cakes outside of Maryland." The Sunnyside Restaurant did not disappoint! Too bad it wasn't open for Sunday Business or we would have stopped on the return drive. We spent the night with my good friend Russ in Pittsburgh.

Friday we drove - for a second day - in the rain. David had registered too late for the main hotel, so I dropped him off and headed for the host location to set up. Alex and his crew had already set up, so my table and books were up and on display with ease. Sales were solid, and I was pleased by that. I also got in a serious session with an Irishman from DC, who left me some souvenirs.

That gentleman, his boy, a friend of theirs and I went to a restaurant called "Winking Lizard" for a meal and service so bad that we complained to the manager (spilled drinks, cole slaw literally dropped in one person's lap, etc). Usually, the manager will say something like, I'm sorry, and I'll comp you the drinks, or something similar, but not this one. He actually began to argue with us. We were so angry that we left, went to a different bar and wound up doing some hard drinking.

Which is unusual for me. The last time I was impaired was in Amsterdam over two years ago. But I now like Belgian Blue Moon Wheat Beer. Really like it. A lot. Made the fireworks at the end of the Cleveland Indians game (a full half-hour of them) a real kick to watch.

Sunday, by one PM, David and I were back on the road and in the rain, again, this time headed back to Philly. Monday was a day to chauffeur David around the city a bit, taking him to Giovanni's Room (Philadelphia's Gay Book Store, and one of the few left in the country), and then to The Trollycar Diner for lunch and a comfort food lunch with author Thom Magistar (that's him on the right).

Ultimately, I got David back to 30th Street Station and back on the Bolt Bus for NYC. I've been busy this week catching up and kitty-sitting, and still on the search for work.

"How many more gay people does God have to create"

"How many more gay people does God have to create before we ask ourselves whether or not God actually wants them around?" Steve Simon