The Fame Monster
by Lady Gaga
User Score
8.9

Universal acclaim- based on 2137 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1,959 out of 2137
  2. Mixed: 43 out of 2137
  3. Negative: 135 out of 2137

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  1. ChrisF.
    Jan 10, 2010
    10
    Lady GaGa is by far the most creative, inventive artist in pop culture today. She has found a way to reinvent pop music and make it interesting again. I LOVE her.
  2. TarekM.
    Jan 13, 2010
    10
    A beautiful album by Lady Gaga, it's even better than the first one.
  3. kollok
    Jan 25, 2010
    10
    This is a great album with some great vocals.
  4. FaytH.
    Jan 7, 2010
    10
    The darker side of Gaga is definetly compelling but lacked in depth, but she sure knows how to crank up tunes that most pop stars can only dream of. With standouts like 'Telephone', 'Bad Romance' and 'Teeth', this album will please both new and old fans. Now ... let's redefine the length of a 'studio album' shall we?!
  5. LB.
    Jan 7, 2010
    0
    The worst thing to happen to music over the last decade.
  6. JoshP
    Dec 2, 2009
    10
    Lady Gaga has more quality material on this album than many pop stars who have come out the past five years, she has a star quality and a raw talent in vocals and songwriting which can compare to Pop Royals Madonna and the late Michael Jackson with an artistic flare not seen since brit Art-Rock star Kate Bush! The Fame Monster boasts sheer brilliance with 8 sensationally epic songs Lady Gaga has more quality material on this album than many pop stars who have come out the past five years, she has a star quality and a raw talent in vocals and songwriting which can compare to Pop Royals Madonna and the late Michael Jackson with an artistic flare not seen since brit Art-Rock star Kate Bush! The Fame Monster boasts sheer brilliance with 8 sensationally epic songs including-Bad Romance,Dance In the dark,Teeth,Telephone,Monster,So Happy I Could Die,Alejandro and the epic rock ballad SPEECHLESS! one of the best albums of the decade from a star in the making! … Expand
  7. Alicia
    Jan 12, 2010
    9
    This album includes the great pop beat songs from the fame but also incorporates the more rich tracks like Teeth ,Monster ,So happy I could DIe and even her own ballad Speechless.
  8. JaredA
    Jan 20, 2010
    7
    I do enjoy and love dance music, so naturally, Lady Gaga is a guilty pleasure of mine. Her music easily lights up any club it is played in; however, it is nothing groundbreaking. She has quite a unique public persona and crafts well-executed and functional dance music. Her music does not push any sort of boundaries, though; in fact, there are more talented electronic acts, the only I do enjoy and love dance music, so naturally, Lady Gaga is a guilty pleasure of mine. Her music easily lights up any club it is played in; however, it is nothing groundbreaking. She has quite a unique public persona and crafts well-executed and functional dance music. Her music does not push any sort of boundaries, though; in fact, there are more talented electronic acts, the only difference being that they have not be absorbed into the mainstream music culture. I did enjoy this ep and repeat it a lot throughout the year; however, with all the other outstanding releases throughout the year--Phoenix, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Royksopp, Girls, Mastodon, The xx, Animal Collective, Grizzly Bear, Neko Case, Sonic Youth, Bat for Lashes, Assemblage 23, Angelspit, Rotersand, Rammstein, just to name a few--it is quite difficult for me to say this is even remotely close to being one of the best releases of the year. If you are a Lady Gaga fan like I am, then you already know what to expect and probably purchased it the week it came out like I did. The ep does feature a few standout and memorable tracks; "Bad Romance," with its Hitchcockian theme, and "Telephone," with its appearance by Beyonce and four-on-the-floor beats.… Expand
  9. leew
    Jan 6, 2010
    1
    Semi-catchy dance beats set to bland and soulless lyrics. Certainly good for a random teenage girl's myspace page, but severely lacking in content.
  10. RodH
    Nov 26, 2009
    10
    She out-did herself!!
  11. Sam
    Dec 29, 2009
    10
    The Fame Monster by Lady GaGa is an example of how Pop music should be. Each song is different from the last and shows that she does all sorts of music well. 8 great new songs as well as a CD with all songs from her debut album "The Fame" as well. A definite buy for near anyone.
  12. BelfordH.
    Dec 3, 2009
    9
    There are some amazing songs on this album. Dance in the dark, bad romance and monster. Not to mention telephone. also there's the rather strange tune of allejadro overall i'd give it a 10 but is't just lacking the wow factor.
  13. BrennanL
    Dec 3, 2009
    10
    Perfection. lady gaga inspires new things on the fame. her music is much richer. you can tell shes grown as an artist over the past year that she rose to fame. this is an amazing album!
  14. JoshS
    Dec 4, 2009
    10
    Amazing. Fans will love it and people that hate her will hate it. But if you listen without bias and you like pop music then you will fall in love.
  15. DarkSTAR
    Dec 4, 2009
    6
    Lady Gaga infuses the synthpop magnetism that made "The Fame" such a hit with gothic inspired beats and darker themes. The result is a half-hearted attempt by Gaga to be an even more distraught poetic. While this new found allure works in some cases ("Telephone" "Dance in the Dark"), it mostly results in mediocrity. Gaga is still pretty weak when it comes to ballads and "Speeches" feels Lady Gaga infuses the synthpop magnetism that made "The Fame" such a hit with gothic inspired beats and darker themes. The result is a half-hearted attempt by Gaga to be an even more distraught poetic. While this new found allure works in some cases ("Telephone" "Dance in the Dark"), it mostly results in mediocrity. Gaga is still pretty weak when it comes to ballads and "Speeches" feels like a inadequate reach by the artist. Gaga is certainly not threading to new directions, but her dance-pop machinations are less flavorful than "The Fame" and more mechanical. Over all, while The Famous Monster intrigues, it doesn't reach up to it's monstrous intentions. ALBUM HIGHLIGHTS: Telephone, Dance in the Dark The So-So: Bad Romance, Alejandro, Speechless, Teeth ALBUM DUDS: So Happy I Can Die, Monster.… Expand
  16. GregF.
    Dec 5, 2009
    9
    Ultra-catchy hooks, dancefloor anthems, solid production and solid water-tight lyrics can be heard throughout the entirety of "The Fame Monster". The one and only flaw with the record, besides the incredbly short length, is that some of the songs sound a tab bit samey to Monster's predecessor "The Fame" for instance the lead single "Bad Romance" sounds like a re-upped version of Ultra-catchy hooks, dancefloor anthems, solid production and solid water-tight lyrics can be heard throughout the entirety of "The Fame Monster". The one and only flaw with the record, besides the incredbly short length, is that some of the songs sound a tab bit samey to Monster's predecessor "The Fame" for instance the lead single "Bad Romance" sounds like a re-upped version of GaGa's hit single "Poker Face" But Lady GaGa does show the listeners that she is evolving her signature euro-dance-pop style with tracks like the more urban track "Telephone" with Beyonce, the crazy romping sexually driven "Teeth" or the 70's rock derived ballad "Speechless. Monster is definitely a great listen and has many potential future singles on it!… Expand
  17. FabioL
    Jan 22, 2010
    9
    I used to LOATHE Lady Gaga and was BAFFLED at why everyone enjoyed her so much. I even made a playlist of my favorite music which included: C,S,N and Young, James Brown, The Police, Jefferson Airplane, The Doors, Aretha... just to name a few, and I called this playlist "Lady Gaga is Going to Die"... I did this because I felt like society was really F***ed up to think that this girl had I used to LOATHE Lady Gaga and was BAFFLED at why everyone enjoyed her so much. I even made a playlist of my favorite music which included: C,S,N and Young, James Brown, The Police, Jefferson Airplane, The Doors, Aretha... just to name a few, and I called this playlist "Lady Gaga is Going to Die"... I did this because I felt like society was really F***ed up to think that this girl had talent. With this album, however, she completely changed my mind. I may not be a "Gagamaniac", but I certainly respect her at least. Just enjoy it for it's musicality. Not what she says, but how she says it, and how the music enhances these feelings she is trying to make into this... music. It's certainly beautiful and breathtaking at times. With this being leaps and bounds better than her first album, I wait for what she will come up with in the future.… Expand
  18. FolaG
    Nov 24, 2009
    9
    The only reason this album did not get a ten, is i'm not sure about the track "Teeth". It's too all over the place. Otherwise, this album is AMAZING. Every other song, including the extra song "No Way". "Monster" is an amazingly catchy club-banger... I cannot stop listening to it ."Telephone" is the perfect collaboration between two pop-icons. Love "Dance in the Dark" and "So The only reason this album did not get a ten, is i'm not sure about the track "Teeth". It's too all over the place. Otherwise, this album is AMAZING. Every other song, including the extra song "No Way". "Monster" is an amazingly catchy club-banger... I cannot stop listening to it ."Telephone" is the perfect collaboration between two pop-icons. Love "Dance in the Dark" and "So Happy I Could Die". "Alejandro" and "Bad Romance" are equally amazing. Also, "Speechless" is Gaga's best ballad, yet. She proves to everyone that she truly can sing--very well. It's got lovely lyrics and is one of my favorites of the album. This is a must buy!… Expand
  19. ShaneT
    Nov 25, 2009
    10
    On;y criticism is that its too short. This album explores deeper themes than The ame and boasts catchy numbers like Bad Romance and Telephone. The lone ballad Speechless shows a side to Gaga that most people wouldn't have expected.
  20. UhOh
    Nov 26, 2009
    10
    PERFECT. She's a genius and stands out from the rest. Creates songs that are radio worthy and artistic. And she can sing. The song "Monster" is my favorite and "Dance in the Dark" is the most creative. "Telephone" is catchy and "So Happy I Could Die" is addicting. Her voice sounds incredible on "Speechless" and "Alejandro" has an awesome beat. Buy it !
  21. SebB
    Nov 26, 2009
    10
    Amazing album that completes The Fame era, Telephone will be the Poker Face of the album and a worldwide #1 success. Dance in the Dark is Marilyn Manson meets Madonna. 7/8 songs are truly worthy of being singles and add to Lady Gaga's talent.
  22. JustinY
    Nov 29, 2009
    10
    Yes, she is a Madonna rip-off, but Maddie had it easier with the shock factor and music back in the 80s. I think both The Fame and Monster are great, the latter actually sounds like a pre-Fame recording. I mean, the girl can write and sing.
  23. GG
    Dec 11, 2009
    10
    Strange how most reviews seem to praise Gaga yet none give the album a higher score than 80. The Fame slowly became a near perfect album for me and The Fame Monster, albeit very different in sound, mood and character, sounds extremely infectious and has some genuine gem moments. The girl is a pop genius and i pity those who say she is merely a copy of Madonna or whatever cause that is pure BS.
  24. Anonymous
    Nov 24, 2009
    10
    A very worthy album; Here she evolves into a self aware celebrity, exploring the darker side of the Fame while incorporating new styles of music into the equation. On the surface she's just another pop star, but underneath all that, when you listen closely to the lyrics - particularly in "Speechless", and 'Dance in the Dark", you will find the talented Lady behind the GaGa. A very worthy album; Here she evolves into a self aware celebrity, exploring the darker side of the Fame while incorporating new styles of music into the equation. On the surface she's just another pop star, but underneath all that, when you listen closely to the lyrics - particularly in "Speechless", and 'Dance in the Dark", you will find the talented Lady behind the GaGa. There are 8 songs on this album, and none are bad. Highly recommended to listen to, and buy.… Expand
  25. TimK
    Nov 24, 2009
    10
    Fantastic followup to the Fame. Several different styles and influences represented from gothic to 80s dance, from Bowie and Queen to ABBA and Madonna. Standout tracks include: Bad Romance, Monster, Telephone and Dance in the Dark.
  26. DanD
    Nov 25, 2009
    3
    None of the new songs are as instantly catchy as the songs on the first album, and I'm not sure I expect any of them to be added to my regular play list.
  27. RayR
    Nov 26, 2009
    7
    Good follow-up to The Fame but she should have added more tracks and released it as her second album. The standouts are Dance in the Dark and Telephone which pairs her with Beyonce. There is definitely a darker theme here. Speechless fails to show her soft side and Teeth is a letdown. Otherwise, a solid mini-album for Lady Gaga. Listen to: Dance in the Dark Skip: Speechless
  28. PeterQ
    Nov 28, 2009
    10
    Lady gaga keeps it coming with 8 amazing new songs, each different, as well as catchy. they are also based on severeral different "monsters" she discovered while on tour. telephone is, by far, the most catchy song, followed by Bad romance and speechless. Overall, the album is worth the 8 dollars on itunes.
  29. DarkT
    Nov 29, 2009
    8
    More ambitious than her first album, Can't wait what's in store for us next.
  30. smijatov
    Aug 13, 2010
    10
    Much better than Lady Gaga's first album, 'The Fame Monster' manages where the first one fails: focus. It is much more focused on what Gaga is really about: good beats, interesting lyrics and just good music to dance to and enjoy oneself. After seeing the videos, too, it just all fits in perfectly. Basically, all of the songs are very good and they are all feel related somehow, even theMuch better than Lady Gaga's first album, 'The Fame Monster' manages where the first one fails: focus. It is much more focused on what Gaga is really about: good beats, interesting lyrics and just good music to dance to and enjoy oneself. After seeing the videos, too, it just all fits in perfectly. Basically, all of the songs are very good and they are all feel related somehow, even the stand-out ballad "Speechless" which is Gaga's first really good ballad.
    Also, her cooperation with Beyonce is noteworthy in 'Telephone,' which is one of my favourite dance tracks ever. Definitely, a much better album than 'The Fame' and an excellent 2nd album for Gaga. If she keeps this up, we're in for a treat when the next album comes out! Good work!!! Rah rah ah ah ah Roma, roma ma, Gaga ooh la la. :)    … Expand
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Awards & Rankings

1
#1 Most Discussed Album of 2009
2
#2 Most Shared Album of 2009

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
78

Generally favorable reviews - based on 14 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 11 out of 14
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 14
  3. Negative: 0 out of 14
  1. The Boston Phoenix
    May 2, 2012
    88
    Not only does this new song cycle retain the Euro-tastic sheen of its predecessor, it outdoes it in sheer dance-floor whump.
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  2. MSN Consumer Guide (Robert Christgau)
    91
    Only after being overwhelmed by the sheer visibility of her warp-speed relaunch did I realize how enjoyable and inescapable her hooks and snatches had turned out to be.
    Read full review
  3. Los Angeles Times
    75
    In her music videos and live shows over the past year, Gaga has worked hard to demonstrate her creative ambition and stylistic range, and that project continues on The Fame Monster.
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