VMAs

No surprise that Gaga’s in the lead this year with 13 noms, including the first time ever that an artist has been nominated for Video of the Year twice in the same year (that’s for “Bad Romance” and “Telephone,” natch).
 
The big (and worthy) surprise was the 5 nominations for Florence + the Machine, including 1 for “Dogs Days Are Over” for Video of the &ear. You go!
 
Other VoY noms were from Eminem, 30 Seconds to Mars and B.o.B. (I don’t remember there usually being 6 nominations….anyone?)
 
Guess that US video reshoot for the song worked out! Let’s watch it again…
 

And here’s a rather nifty and unexpected remix…[Optimo Espacio Remix]:
 
Here’s a link to the full list of noms.

GaGaMSG

So Gaga was characteristically resplendent last night in a concert that was basically a souped up version of the radio city concert she played earlier in the year.

 

 

The sets were bigger.

 

 

There was a loose narrative (Gaga and gang leave brooklyn, take the subway into Manhattan…and then the narrative pretty much falls apart) to help organize the show – one can’t help but wonder what wonders Gaga could do with some sort of narrative concept album. Gaga needs to do her own Wall, a la Pink Floyd.

 

The crowd was ecstatic. And she loudly articulated her ‘be who you wanna be’ ethos. This being her first performance at Madison Square Garden, she took the time to absorb the crowd (and her success) that felt inclusive and quite moving, and only a bit indulgent.

As my friend Jenn said, Madonna gave birth to this girl. It was especially clear during “Alejandro” when a large statue of Mary (which had been dripping water) suddenly began shooting off sparks 4th of July-style. What does all this religious imagery have to do with the song? I still have no clue.

This was one of a few big set pieces that really showed how gaga was bringing the arena spectacle. She also appeared in a plastic-y opaque looking dress/hat concoction that was almost alarming to watch – the headpiece MOVED on it’s own. Opening and closing, contracting and undulating in an almost insect-like manner. She was Glenda the Good Witch meets Kafka. When she turned around (and before she was carried up into the sky), you could sing wings on the back of the dress. More bug than butterfly. But somehow beautiful nonetheless…and right in line with her ‘Sexy Ugly’ motto.

 

 

 

 

My favorite part BY FAR  though was when an fish enormous emerged from the darkness, stripped her almost naked and then consumed her.

 

 

 Look out behind you, Gaga!

Only to have her emerge a few minutes later in a metallic bar that spat at flames from the nipples.

[Those curious about her new record were given a treat earlier in the night when she previewed a song – “You and I” during the slowed down “Speechless” set (playing the piano with her right heel on top of the keys, natch). I LOVED it: Very 70s-inspired, an Elton John melody with Janis Joplin vocals. Even ended with some “Hey Jude” style vamping.]

I’ve seen her at practically every venue she’s played in NYC, and it’s nuts to remember her small club-style show at the Highline Ballroom. It wasn’t long ago at all.

And now she’s playing arenas. Ra ra indeed.

 

 

Thanks for letting me steal your pics, Blake!

Alejandro

This video couldn’t be more early 90’s Madonna if it tried – the lighting, the ‘look’. Geesh. Did a young David Fincher direct this in a parallel universe?

Lady Gaga – “Alejandro”

Greyson

My favorite is the blonde girl in the background. Who looks obviously amazed…but isn’t quite sure if it’s okay to start pulling her hair out and act like she’s at a Justin Bieber concert.

  This little tyke has a record deal now!

 

  And he’s Gaga-approved:

Can you believe this?

It’s sort of a futzy clip. And they’re obviously reading the lyrics off those monitors on the floor. But that’s Gaga, Sting, Elton John, Bruce (and Debbie Harry and Dame Shirley Bassey who look totally lost) singing Journey! How can we not love this? Plus + dancing boys in tight underwear.

“Don’t Stop Believin'”

Gaga backlash

Uh-oh, seems some trailblazers have grown weary of all this gaga success and are taking a few potshots at the beloved new era icon. See the link below for some not so kind words from Ms. Grace Jones (who’s tart language is no surprise). Suppose if Gaga’s bitten anyone’s style….it’s hers. http://www.spinner.com/2010/04/19/grace-jones-lady-gaga-feud/

Britney Gaga

So I’ve only read about a thousand times how Gaga wrote songs for Britney but never really investigated to hear the actual track. Turns out it’s “Quicksand”, a bonus track from Britney’s Circus album. You can TOTALLY hear Gaga doing backing vocals all over the song. Suffers a bit from a less than stellar chorus, but it builds up some steam in the end…

  Britney Spears – “Quicksand”

Whisper in the Dark

Happy snow day New Yorkers!
 
Anyone else think that the keyboard line in Lady Gaga’s “Dance in the Dark” sounds awfully similar to that infamous saxophone hook from Wham!’s “Careless Whisper”….. Give ‘it a listen.
 
Lady Gaga – “Dance in the Dark” 
 
Wham! – “Carless Whisper”

Gaga Live

Here’s the one and only Lady Gaga, performing Speechless at the VEVO launch party last month.
Being so up close and personal while she played the keys was a pretty amazing experience. The girl is no joke!

  http://www.vevo.com/watch/playlist/speechless/26343#0

Gaga Christmas

So Gaga’s new Christmas track is free on Amazon!

  It’s certainly more of a throwaway track but, trust me, it grows on you. I especially like the (is it the bridge? the 2nd verse? the chorus? song structure’s a bit out the window here.) “ho, ho, ho, underneath the mistle toe”

  If you want to give it a preview, here it is on youtube:

  And here’s the link to the track on Amazon. Merry Christmas! http://www.amazon.com/Christmas-Tree/dp/B001UQT1KI