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Lady Gaga ARTPOP |OT| It could mean anything
- Thread starter Nemesis_
- Start date
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Nemesis_
Member
I wish I didn't listen because it created wrong expectations.
But I still love what I heard of all the LQ stuff regardless.
You Know Nothing
Member
The only track that's a bit disconcerting because of the iTunes festival is ARTPOP. The hee-hee's in the background are way too subdued compared to the live performance.
That was the main song I listened to from Swinefest. I only listened to the others a few times each. So I'm fine with their album versions.
That was the main song I listened to from Swinefest. I only listened to the others a few times each. So I'm fine with their album versions.
Cross posting:
5 Star:
MANiCURE: I honestly didn't think she'd improve it, but she made the chorus even catchier. Can you feel it, can you feel it, can you feel it! During that "the way, the way, the way, you make me feeeel," I wish she would have just belted a little higher. Would have been a nice climax. Unfortunate they subdued the vocals on "heal/save me." The live version of this gave me life, so it's another one I'll use both the album and iTunes versions.
Sexx Dreams: Those repetitive sections in the chorus are still there, but she balanced it out with nice vocal overlays. Love the outro and the addition of the strings. Kinda missing that bridge from iTunes even though I had no idea what she was saying. I'll use both.
Venus: Lots of catchy hooks, great build. Love the pure camp. I hope the video is equally as corny.
Fashion!: Don't understand the hate this track gets. If anything, this is Gaga actually sounding different, different vibe, and sounding great. I love, love, love that held note as she crescendos upward to the climax.
Do What U Want
4 Star:
G.U.Y.: Love how it's introduced. Probably the most video-gamey of all the tracks. Gives me a little Megaman X teas. Really love the production but not lyrically clicking with me. Is it me, or does the volume fluctuate a great deal on this track?
Mary Jane Holland: Love the production on this. Hooo Hooo! I may actually upgrade this later after a few more listens.
Donatella: I don't feel like this track negates the need for Fashion! or vice versa. They seem to complement each other well, as they're different vibes. They may have similar content, but I enjoy them both.
Applause: Excellent gym companion. Quirky and fun. Not perfect, but I can use when I need to be motivated.
3 Star:
Aura: It's grown on me and I prefer the new verses, but I don't feel I'll use this. I wouldn't skip it, but I wouldn't actively seek it out.
Artpop: The one track I don't hold on equal footing with the live version. If I ever get the opportunity to mesh the live vocals with this instrumental, I'll do it, bu tit suffers from the same fate a lot of the other iTunes performances are guilty of: scaled back vocals; and it's the track that's worse off for it though, as the others have a good enough arrangement to get a pass for missing. Plus, part of why I loved the live performance was how she got into it. I may actually drop its score once the album has had time to settle in.
Swine: Prefer the live version for the pure energy. Also suffers from "what happened to the vocals?" problem.
2 Star:
Gypsy: She sounds great on the belts, but that intonation for the verses. *_* Also sounds like a BTW reject, honestly. And if it wasn't for the You and I video, I don't think I'd use any other "ballad" on BTW. Especially strongly dislike that last I'm I'mmmimimimimimimi.
Jewels 'n' Drugs
1 Star:
Dope: I like the premise and the melody, but it ultimately falls flat in execution. Should have been scrapped for something else.
Overall, I like Gaga's vocal direction this era. Even on the tracks I hate, she's really pushing herself to extremes. I'm really wanting to hear how she'd do a traditional power ballad (just for curiosity's sake).
5 Star:
MANiCURE: I honestly didn't think she'd improve it, but she made the chorus even catchier. Can you feel it, can you feel it, can you feel it! During that "the way, the way, the way, you make me feeeel," I wish she would have just belted a little higher. Would have been a nice climax. Unfortunate they subdued the vocals on "heal/save me." The live version of this gave me life, so it's another one I'll use both the album and iTunes versions.
Sexx Dreams: Those repetitive sections in the chorus are still there, but she balanced it out with nice vocal overlays. Love the outro and the addition of the strings. Kinda missing that bridge from iTunes even though I had no idea what she was saying. I'll use both.
Venus: Lots of catchy hooks, great build. Love the pure camp. I hope the video is equally as corny.
Fashion!: Don't understand the hate this track gets. If anything, this is Gaga actually sounding different, different vibe, and sounding great. I love, love, love that held note as she crescendos upward to the climax.
Do What U Want
4 Star:
G.U.Y.: Love how it's introduced. Probably the most video-gamey of all the tracks. Gives me a little Megaman X teas. Really love the production but not lyrically clicking with me. Is it me, or does the volume fluctuate a great deal on this track?
Mary Jane Holland: Love the production on this. Hooo Hooo! I may actually upgrade this later after a few more listens.
Donatella: I don't feel like this track negates the need for Fashion! or vice versa. They seem to complement each other well, as they're different vibes. They may have similar content, but I enjoy them both.
Applause: Excellent gym companion. Quirky and fun. Not perfect, but I can use when I need to be motivated.
3 Star:
Aura: It's grown on me and I prefer the new verses, but I don't feel I'll use this. I wouldn't skip it, but I wouldn't actively seek it out.
Artpop: The one track I don't hold on equal footing with the live version. If I ever get the opportunity to mesh the live vocals with this instrumental, I'll do it, bu tit suffers from the same fate a lot of the other iTunes performances are guilty of: scaled back vocals; and it's the track that's worse off for it though, as the others have a good enough arrangement to get a pass for missing. Plus, part of why I loved the live performance was how she got into it. I may actually drop its score once the album has had time to settle in.
Swine: Prefer the live version for the pure energy. Also suffers from "what happened to the vocals?" problem.
2 Star:
Gypsy: She sounds great on the belts, but that intonation for the verses. *_* Also sounds like a BTW reject, honestly. And if it wasn't for the You and I video, I don't think I'd use any other "ballad" on BTW. Especially strongly dislike that last I'm I'mmmimimimimimimi.
Jewels 'n' Drugs
1 Star:
Dope: I like the premise and the melody, but it ultimately falls flat in execution. Should have been scrapped for something else.
Overall, I like Gaga's vocal direction this era. Even on the tracks I hate, she's really pushing herself to extremes. I'm really wanting to hear how she'd do a traditional power ballad (just for curiosity's sake).
enigmatic_alex44
Whenever a game uses "middleware," I expect mediocrity. Just see how poor TLOU looks.
Finally listened to the whole thing.
TOP TIER:
Venus (as expected, my favorite on the album <3 )
GREAT:
Sexxx Dreams
Mary Jane Holland
Artpop
G.U.Y.
GOOD:
Applause
Gypsy
Aura
DECENT:
Donatella
Fashion!
Swine
Do Want U Want
Manicure
GARBO-TIER
Dope (ugh)
Jewels'n'Drugs
TOP TIER:
Venus (as expected, my favorite on the album <3 )
GREAT:
Sexxx Dreams
Mary Jane Holland
Artpop
G.U.Y.
GOOD:
Applause
Gypsy
Aura
DECENT:
Donatella
Fashion!
Swine
Do Want U Want
Manicure
GARBO-TIER
Dope (ugh)
Jewels'n'Drugs
blame space
Banned
oh my god oh my god
But where is the Snickers tier?
Does the chorus of Sexxx Dreams remind anyone else of the strip club song from Beverly Hills Cop?
Wanted a Snickers tier but nothing really fit the bill. It would have been below Butterfinger.
Wanted a Snickers tier but nothing really fit the bill. It would have been below Butterfinger.
I'll tell you exactly why actually, shares the same melody as a modern country music song.
Combichristoffersen
Combovers don't work when there is no hair
Gave it a quick listen. Some good stuff, but still not a new The Fame Monster.
Soulscribe
Member
Pretty sure she didn't want to make a new Fame Monster.
Let each album stand on its own honestly
Nemesis_
Member
She herself says this and I agree completely.
I think Marius does too. But I feel like those who want her to change up things with each album are few and far between
I'm glad Stefan is having his moments with G.U.Y. periodically throughout the night, it's absolutely life giving.
Combichristoffersen
Combovers don't work when there is no hair
What I meant is that it's still not as good as The Fame Monster, just like Born this Way was a disappointment coming off TFM.
Although I wish she would've just stuck to that 90s Ace of Base sound she had going. So gud.
Soulscribe
Member
Ah I see. I think people forget that TFM was only 8 tracks. It's hard to compare an album of 15-17 tracks to an EP because the latter is tightened up and compact. If you were to condense her other album to only 8 tracks then I'm sure it'd be harder to rank them.
If TFM was as long as her other albums I do think the album would fall short because the themes/topics aren't fleshed out enough to carry a full LP. But maybe that's just me.
In other words, it's not fair to compare a full album to TFM because the latter was literally designed to add some radio hits to her debut album. BTW and ARTPOP are fully fleshed out bodies of work.
Monocle
Member
The chorus was perfect at the iTunes festival when it just went "Last night, damn you were in my sex dreams" without any of the extra trash. Really disappointed she messed with it.
I hope it's possible to buy the version I like somewhere.
Not Venus. Nope. And as an album, Artpop spanks Born This Way.
Huge step up from BTW. Not sure if reachers the heights of some of her earleir work though. Here are my rankings:
God Tier
-Venus
Great
-Donettella
-Gypsy
-Applause
Good
-Manicure (Would have been in Great had she not fucked with the lyrics)
-GUY (Borderline great)
Decent
-Do What You Want
-Artpop
-Mary Jane Holland
Lousy/Indifferent
-Aura (Great chorus though)
-Dope
-Sex Dreams
-Swine
God Tier
-Venus
Great
-Donettella
-Gypsy
-Applause
Good
-Manicure (Would have been in Great had she not fucked with the lyrics)
-GUY (Borderline great)
Decent
-Do What You Want
-Artpop
-Mary Jane Holland
Lousy/Indifferent
-Aura (Great chorus though)
-Dope
-Sex Dreams
-Swine
Battle Born
Member
This is a pretty good album. I absolutely love Sexxx Dreams, G.U.Y., Artpop and Do What U Want. I also like Venus, Mary Jane Holland and Gypsy.
bob_arctor
Tough_Smooth
Better than BTW, she sounds great, and a really solid album save the few throwaways (Jewels & Drugs and Swine are the biggest offenders imo. Dope I will stick with to see if it grows on me but totally understand people writing it off.) Aura may or may not be good. Haven't decided just yet.
Poker Face
Member
Greetings from Eros
God of sexual desire, son of Aphrodite
Lay back, and feast as this audio guides you through new and exciting positions
God of sexual desire, son of Aphrodite
Lay back, and feast as this audio guides you through new and exciting positions
Combichristoffersen
Combovers don't work when there is no hair
Nah, Monster was the EP, TFM was TF + M, y'know
TF had a few clunkers, but when combined with M it made for a rather fine pop album. Not that BtW or Artpop are bad or anything, but the quality seems to be more inconsistent than it was on TFM. I'll need to spend some more time with Artpop before passing final judgment, but it seems to be a pretty decent album so far.Strange, that is EXACTLY why I love it. That "Youuu. Walked. In." swing. The live version sounds so incomplete without resolving the phrasing.
Soulscribe
Member
Nah, Monster was the EP, TFM was TF + M, y'know
Haha I've called the EP Monster too but nobody was having it. Lol
Honestly The Fame is by far the most inconsistent album of hers. Plus combining it with TFM is especially weird because of the intense quality difference between the two. Also her voice is like three octaves deeper on the EP. They don't mix IMO.
Was anyone else bothered by how plain and unproduced her voice is on some of the songs? 1:40 of Sexxx dreams is a good example of what I'm getting at. Also, on the first verse of Jewels and Drugs, her voice lacks the grit that is kinda required for a song with that sort of vibe. It's just really disappointing especially after she made a point that she sang the songs until they were a part of her or something like that.
Monocle
Member
I felt like the musical blare thing in the background during/after the words "last night" gave them just the right counterpoint. In the live version, I mean.
No. What the hell lol
Hmmm. Well it certainly stands out without the lyrics. It just sounds odd to me, like it's being censored or something.
bob_arctor
Tough_Smooth
Jewels & Drugs was a straight delete/didn't even bother, but didn't notice that part in Sexxx Dreams you mention. I'll get a really good listen on the way home from work though. Initial impression for me is that she sounds great overall.
Monocle
Member
I think I was having a bit of a memory glitch as to which part of the chorus didn't work for me. I listened to it again, and the thing I don't like is how cluttered it feels now. But whatever. Still one of the stronger tracks on a strong album. Gaga really found her glitter-queen/sex-goddess mojo in Artpop, and I love it.
Bye, I didn't lie. Listen to her iTunes festival performances, then listen to the same songs on the album
The chorus dragged on for too long in the live version. The shortened length and vocal additions in the studio make it much less repetitive now.
That being said, God was tapping into a deeper level of horniness vocally in the live version. I suppose a good live performance will always make the studio sound more mechanical in comparison though.
Monocle
Member
I have to say, after that performance I almost checked to see if I was pregnant.
I thought the long chorus worked. Fit the slinky, seductive mood of the song perfectly.
The only noticeable offender to me is Aura, and it's still incredible. I just prefer the live and demo version. It's a bad place to be in to complain about lack of vocal distortion though.
You Know Nothing
Member
Mary Jane Holland has become my favorite I think. The bridge is the only part of the song that still bothers me a bit. But the rest is just so damn good that it cancels all that out.
Red Liquorice
Member
Venus, Swine & Do What U Want are still my favourites. Also liking GUY, Aura, Applause, Dope and Artpop.
Some safe-sounding stuff on here. Gypsy's anthemic pop is very crossover chart-friendly. The bassline to Fashion starts out like Madonna's Holiday and I thought "oh no, not again!", but it's just same old generic disco-house, catchy but boring.
I can't wrap my brain around Jewels n' Drugs. Who are these rappers? What is this cookie cutter track there for? Is it to reel in a missing demographic for a few more sales? I don't understand the audience for this, lol.
It's still too long like the previous albums, repeating itself. 10 tracks would've made it killer.
Some safe-sounding stuff on here. Gypsy's anthemic pop is very crossover chart-friendly. The bassline to Fashion starts out like Madonna's Holiday and I thought "oh no, not again!", but it's just same old generic disco-house, catchy but boring.
I can't wrap my brain around Jewels n' Drugs. Who are these rappers? What is this cookie cutter track there for? Is it to reel in a missing demographic for a few more sales? I don't understand the audience for this, lol.
It's still too long like the previous albums, repeating itself. 10 tracks would've made it killer.
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