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. iamtrent424
    May 20, 2011
    8
    Love this album. Gaga is amazing. Only eight songs but all eight songs are hit songs. Amazing song writing on all songs. Track by track you don't get tired of it. One of the best EP album. The Fame was an amazing album and she came back with the Fame Monster another hitmaker album. Her style from the fame change but still and electro pop rock album.
  2. shafter
    Dec 5, 2010
    8
    Funny that it was given a 3 elsewhere on here. Only a few listens and it's totally magnetic. Bad Romance is possibly her best song to date - the point where the chorus kicks in just takes my breath away. That and the hypnotic Abba'esque Alejandro, make this worth the price alone.

    Maybe some are out-takes, but man. this is is just stunning!
  3. ohaiKendyl
    May 31, 2011
    8
    The Fame Monster isn't perfect, but it's arguably one of the finest pop albums in recent years. It's certainly more handsomely produced, varied, and even darker than The Fame; influences ranging between '80s dance pop to Gothic industrial. Every track has its own unique twists and are undeniably catchy at that. Its standout tracks are "Bad Romance" and "Dance In The Dark", which bothThe Fame Monster isn't perfect, but it's arguably one of the finest pop albums in recent years. It's certainly more handsomely produced, varied, and even darker than The Fame; influences ranging between '80s dance pop to Gothic industrial. Every track has its own unique twists and are undeniably catchy at that. Its standout tracks are "Bad Romance" and "Dance In The Dark", which both heavily rely on industrial. However, its weakest track is its outro, "Teeth", which is just dull and uninspiring altogether, unlike the rest of the tracks.… Expand
  4. SoraOfOhio
    Oct 8, 2011
    8
    Lady Gaga's surprisingly quick ascent to the top of the pop charts was followed shortly thereafter with the release of "The Fame Monster" an EP that is sold as a standalone 8-track CD or in the Deluxe version which packs in the original "The Fame" album.

    The whole point of this album, as Gaga explained it, was to address her fears. With that in mind, it's a wonder that the album is    Lady Gaga's surprisingly quick ascent to the top of the pop charts was followed shortly thereafter with the release of "The Fame Monster" an EP that is sold as a standalone 8-track CD or in the Deluxe version which packs in the original "The Fame" album.

    The whole point of this album, as Gaga explained it, was to address her fears. With that in mind, it's a wonder that the album is overall very upbeat and dance-oriented. A fear of being in love fashions itself into the killer lead single, "Bad Romance", while fears of sex and abuse manifested into "Alejandro" and the Eurodisco sounds of "Dance in the Dark", respectively. Produced and co-written almost exclusively with RedOne, the tracks focus more on synths and programmed instruments than the last album did. However, fans of the older sound are in for a treat when it comes to "Speechless". Gaga wrote this track for her father to convince him to get an open-heart surgery, and she wrote it as a fear of losing the one she loves to the cruel fate of death.

    "The Fame Monster" does a decent job of eliminating what might be considered filler material, but that doesn't stop "Teeth" from awkwardly Southern-foot-stomping the album to a hault with its repetitive strums and melody-lacking lyrics.

    Overall, it's a welcome addition to "The Fame" although having a few more tracks (and axing "Teeth") would have made it all the more welcome.    … Expand
  5. Spielberg00
    Aug 11, 2011
    8
    You could look at THE FAME MONSTER as an extended re-do of Gaga's debut THE FAME or an entirely stand-alone extended play. Either way, it's Lady Gaga's best work yet.
  6. glacier777
    Dec 11, 2011
    8
    The best thing about this is that it sounds like the fame. 5 out of the 8 tracks follow in bad romance's footsteps in being danceable and addictive. Dance in the dark is ok but the other two, speech and teeth are rubbish in my opinion but I suppose they are right up the 'little monsters' street. If you loved the fame then you will love this. Another great record from Gaga.
  7. Mayfair
    Mar 20, 2012
    8
    This album sounds great and is good! It's not innovative or revolutionary, but is good and fresh.
    Speechless and So Happy I Could Die are great! The best of Lady gaga
  8. vscoott345
    Apr 26, 2012
    8
    I liked this album a lot more than her first one, the only big complaint I have is I wish she would've have put more songs on this album. I felt it was way too short. Again, she made great dance/pop songs. No other complaints.
  9. justachair
    Apr 21, 2014
    8
    A great follow-up to The Fame, Gaga has improved everything that was wrong with the first album. The popcorn songs were exchanged for still catchy tunes but with more meaningful lyrics and somber tones, instead of wasting time riding disco sticks and repeating over and over again "Paparazzi".
    The 8 additional songs to The Fame do not exactly engage perfectly with the previous album, but    A great follow-up to The Fame, Gaga has improved everything that was wrong with the first album. The popcorn songs were exchanged for still catchy tunes but with more meaningful lyrics and somber tones, instead of wasting time riding disco sticks and repeating over and over again "Paparazzi".
    The 8 additional songs to The Fame do not exactly engage perfectly with the previous album, but it is amaziing to see how much the artist developed. The songs aren't exactly lyrical or musical gems (Just dancing tunes with lots of 80s remixes, notable in the song "Dance In The Dark", the best of the bunch) but are definite improvements. "Bad Romance" is an instant classic, "Alejandro" a fun twisted version of Abba's "Fernando", "Monster" an eclectic love song, "Speechless" a Nancy Sinatra homage that works perfectly, "Telephone" an amazing collaboration with Beyoncé (Less exotic but more rythmic than "Video Phone"), and the last two songs, "So Happy I Could Die" and "Teeth" fit perfectly as creepy, disgusting and fantastic songs.
    An improvement, for sure. An album so dark with so many layers of techno-infused pop nostalgia that you are forced to listen again and again, besides its short duration.    … Expand
  10. Kamo
    Jan 5, 2013
    8
    Yo compre este album y bueno es menor que su antecesor , pero combina muy bien los sonidos electro, rock y pop. Ademas su contenido lirico de te ha entender los miedos de Gaga y el amor por su musica.
  11. sil3nt_nick
    Mar 24, 2013
    8
    Lady Gaga returned with her first and Grammy-winning extended play containing hit songs such as "Bad Romance," "Telephone" and "Alejandro." Clearly one of the best EP's I've ever listened to.
  12. asjklasjklas
    Aug 10, 2014
    8
    Beginning with the Gothic industrial dance-pop camp known worldwide as "Bad Romance" ("You and me could write a Bad Romance") and ending with the blasphemous combination of gospel music and S&M-styled double entendre of "Teeth", The Fame Monster has Gaga at her most comfortable: glam pop + lyricism so fool of itself, it's genius ("And in the silence of the night/Through all the tears/AndBeginning with the Gothic industrial dance-pop camp known worldwide as "Bad Romance" ("You and me could write a Bad Romance") and ending with the blasphemous combination of gospel music and S&M-styled double entendre of "Teeth", The Fame Monster has Gaga at her most comfortable: glam pop + lyricism so fool of itself, it's genius ("And in the silence of the night/Through all the tears/And all the lies/I touch myself and it's alright"). Though it's no Like a Prayer by any means or measure, Lady Gaga settles her bare feet in the sands of a moody mixture of electropop and '80s vintage darkwave decorated with half-smart lyricism -- Mother Monster herself describes each song as having its own 'Monster' metaphor for the dark side of fame.

    Besides highlights such as its lead single, the Queen B-featured earworm of a second single "Telephone", and the underrated dance-pop masterpiece "Dance in the Dark", which has a word spoken verse that pays respect to everyone from Judy Garland to Jesus Christ, The Fame Monster overall had the opportunity of having a hit on 7 out of the 8 songs on the EP/mini-album (something tells me "Teeth" wouldn't stand a chance at making it to any radio friendly charts. In my opinion, Born This Way is sonically her greatest album to date, however, The Fame Monster could stand as her safest and most iconic.    … Expand
  13. Clemen
    Dec 15, 2013
    8
    Changing the game with each album. Definitely a darker side to The Fame as what she have described. The Album perfectly comply the title THE FAME MONSTER. It would be difficult to understand in first listen but if we venture into lyrics and the order of the song, the album is near perfection. Just a small step
  14. marcmyworks
    Nov 13, 2013
    8
    Gaga brings out her dark side in "The Fame Monster". The album feature lush and well produced tracks and collaborations. Despite this only being an EP, the quality of each song makes it a fully realized album.
  15. Diamandis
    Dec 30, 2013
    8
    Gaga improved with this album since her debut moment. "The Fame Monster" certainly reflects the dark side of fame without making it be nasty. Most recommended songs are "Bad Romance", "Alejandro" and "Dance In The Dark".
  16. PinkFriday
    Sep 6, 2014
    8
    The Fame Monster é um dos melhores EPs que já existiram. As melodias e as letras são excelentes, tanto que um EP fez um sucesso enorme. É muito criativo e divertido, com músicas que vão ser lembradas para toda a história da música Pop.
  17. ihavevocaloid
    Apr 3, 2015
    8
    Easily Lady Gaga's best album. Lady Gaga was way more artistic on this album than she was on The Fame. The production is more creative and Lady Gaga's artistic side is shown more. The lyrics have also improved greatly. This album is an overall B+. Highlights: "Monster", "Telephone", "Dance in the Dark". Worst song: "Alejandro"
  18. Panchogul
    Sep 4, 2020
    8
    Para ser una expansión de The Fame, suena más a una expansión o introducción a Born This Way.
  19. fede_ARTPOP
    Apr 27, 2016
    8
    Her second album after the "welcome to the pop" scene with The Fame. Great songs, infectious melodies, really pop music. Gaga proved she has come to stay.
  20. joaofelin
    Jul 10, 2017
    8
    Bad Romance - 10
    Alejandro - 8
    Monster - 10
    Speechless - 8
    Dance in the Dark - 8
    Telephone - 9
    So Happy I Could Die - 7
    Teeth - 7

    score: 8,3
  21. Mononoke
    Aug 10, 2018
    8
    Isn't better than 'The Fame' but there are some deep feelings and a dark vibe all over the tracks.
  22. greedybadidea
    May 25, 2020
    8
    Lady Gaga's second project 'The Fame Monster' is the definition of growth for an artist. Gaga has gone from generic pop music to poetic pop music which suits her in the best way possible. Each song on this album has its own personality and while not every track is amazing, I certainly enjoy getting a taste of what Gaga is truly capable of and I look forward to her future projects.

    Album    Lady Gaga's second project 'The Fame Monster' is the definition of growth for an artist. Gaga has gone from generic pop music to poetic pop music which suits her in the best way possible. Each song on this album has its own personality and while not every track is amazing, I certainly enjoy getting a taste of what Gaga is truly capable of and I look forward to her future projects.

    Album Track Ranking:
    1. Alejandro
    2. Bad Romance
    3. Speechless
    4. Telephone (feat. Beyoncé)
    5. So Happy I Could Die
    6. Teeth
    7. Monster
    8. Dance in the Dark    … Expand
  23. Bruterake
    Dec 12, 2021
    8
    Não é um tipo de música que eu gosto muito, mas, é inegável que esse álbum é um clássico no mundo do pop e no final acabei achando ele muito bom mesmo sem gostar do estilo.
  24. PabloRivie
    Jun 9, 2020
    8
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. 1.- BAD ROMANCE.- MONUMENTAL PRIMER SENCILLO. Sigue la linea del pop un poco agresivo de los sencillos de The Fame pero con una producción de sonido mucho más elaborada. Tambien en este track nos inyecta una gran dosis del ARTE Y PERSONALIDAD que vimos en Paparazzi y que resulta ser la fórmula ganadora de Gaga. TOP
    2.- ALEJANDRO.- ESPECTACULAR. De las canciones que al escuchar el álbum dices "ojalá sea sencillo". La mezcla de idiomas, la lírica, melodía, una obra de arte de principio a fin!. Un sonido que no sale de línea pero a la vez refrescante y sin dejar de mostrarnos PERSONALIDAD. TOP
    3.- MONSTER.- Un sonido mucho más plástico, menos agresivo. Suena bastante Madonna, Britney, y no de sus mejores canciones. Coro básico. No es una mala canción pero me suena a que solo sirvió para darle nombre al EP y por el mismo hecho esperaba más. NEXT
    4.- SPEECHLESS.- Definitivamente de las mejores baladas que tiene Gaga! De nuevo podemos ver realmente el potencial artístico que tiene para ofrecer. Podría haber sido sencillo. TOP
    5.- DANCE IN THE DARK.- De nuevo nos inyecta mucha personalidad en la letra, un pop bastante más comercial volviendo con la linea de The Fame. No es mala pero no es mi favorita.
    6.- TELEPHONE.- Un sonido muy fiel a The Fame. Tal ves la mejor colaboración que ha tenido Gaga hasta el día de hoy. La parte de Beyonce definitivamente es todo lo que necesitaba el álbum para ser un album cohesivo pero no llegar a ser aburrido.
    7.- SO HAPPY I COULD DIE.- Seguimos en la linea pop del álbum, una buena canción en general, tiene potencial en bruto, la canción más segura del disco, nada osada.
    8.- TEETH.- De nuevo nos inyecta personalidad, teatralidad, arte. Sale completamente del sonido pop comercial de The Fame pero es una canción muy buena. Un sonido muy Christina Aguilera. Me deja pidiendo un poco más del disco. TOP

    EN GENERAL: En este álbum Gaga nos ofrece ESPECTÁCULO, artes y letras bizarras. En general un sonido fiel a The Fame pero sigue fallando en cohesividad gracias a espectaculares tracks como Speechless y Teeth (Suenan a 3 cosas buenas pero totalmente distintas). En general me gusta mucho más que el anterior álbum sin embargo no llega a ser mi favorito aún.    … Expand
  25. MichelleChimbet
    Jan 8, 2021
    8
    Lady Gaga has an unteachable ear for pop hooks. Like damn. Full of stand outs being the singles, fun detours like "Teeth" and "Summer boy" whilst the B-sides secure enough pop-edm bangers for this album to earn its legendary status in recent pop history.
  26. potasioxd
    Sep 2, 2020
    8
    lo que me gusta de este álbum es que tiene un contraste con su álbum debut, tiene casi el mismo nombre pero tiene un concepto diferente. algunas de las canciones que lo conforman tienen un aspecto sombrío, mientras que otras tienen un tono más alegre. un muy buen álbum para una muy buena época. mis canciones favoritas son telephone, monster y dancer in the dark
  27. PEDROMFR
    Feb 13, 2021
    8
    With only 8 tracks and a remix, Gaga gave us one of the most memorable pop albums of the late 00´s. The Fame Monster is for sure a big step in Lady Gaga's career.
    Top Track: Alejandro
    Worst Track: Monster
  28. mathic
    Nov 20, 2021
    8
    Uma coletânea de hits, Gaga mostra uma faceta extremamente comercial e necessária para o pop dos anos 2000. Certamente se o The Fame Monster não existisse o pop não estaria vivo nos dias atuais.
  29. Akura-ou
    Feb 1, 2023
    8
    None of this tracks are bad, every track it's great in its own way. Nothing less, nothin more.
  30. aestheticmoon
    Dec 18, 2022
    8
    The Fame Monster album is timeless all of the tracks!
    "Dance in The Dark" really deserves to be listened to with headphones. The production with all the synths is genius. The lyrics are also pretty deep. Dance in the dark is the best music of the album.
  31. 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
  32. 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
  33. OfficialCarlo
    Feb 16, 2011
    7
    While most people are going Gaga on this EP, i must admit that i was a bit disappointed on this EP. The tracks are too long with sick beats and hooks. Although, the songs are really good but it did not satisfy me like what her debut did. Her voice is not good but she can sing. The EP is artistic but she is better in the futuristic one.
  34. shakeel7
    Jan 16, 2011
    7
    Her first album was nothing more than Gaga capitalizing on a sound that had been popular in Europe for ages. She does the same thing with The Fame Monster, except she reaches back a little further, and a little more underground, and comes up with a sound that still isn't original, but is definitely more mature. There is nothing groundbreaking about this album but it's a short, sweetHer first album was nothing more than Gaga capitalizing on a sound that had been popular in Europe for ages. She does the same thing with The Fame Monster, except she reaches back a little further, and a little more underground, and comes up with a sound that still isn't original, but is definitely more mature. There is nothing groundbreaking about this album but it's a short, sweet collection of some great industrial pop music.… Expand
  35. KendylKlownfish
    Mar 6, 2011
    7
    Whether you're a fan of GaGa's "very" crazy lifestyle or not, you gotta note the girl's creativity. The Fame Monster is not God's gift to pop music, but it certainly is one of the genre's most flattering attempts. "Bad Romance" is the album's highly addictive lead single that heavily borrows from gothic industrial. "Alejandro", "Monster", and "Dance in the Dark" are no doubt, some of theWhether you're a fan of GaGa's "very" crazy lifestyle or not, you gotta note the girl's creativity. The Fame Monster is not God's gift to pop music, but it certainly is one of the genre's most flattering attempts. "Bad Romance" is the album's highly addictive lead single that heavily borrows from gothic industrial. "Alejandro", "Monster", and "Dance in the Dark" are no doubt, some of the greatest entries in GaGa's career. "Speechless" is a bit overrated, but it is definitely a flattering power ballad that spotlights GaGa's powerful vocal chords and piano skills. "So Happy I Could Die" and "Teeth" are the album's weaker tracks, being less creative than the previous tracks. So while The Fame Monster is not the greatest pop album, it certainly gives us an idea of who Lady GaGa exactly is, and keeps us interested in what's coming next.… Expand
  36. aaronpaul121
    May 25, 2012
    7
    This is better than her first album. The songs in this album has impact, which I want to have in her songs. The songs are very catchy just like her first album. A great album, overall.
  37. Bender99
    Jul 5, 2011
    7
    I am a Lady Gaga fan and I enjoyed this album. But, there could of been more songs on there. It only takes about a little less than twenty minutes to listen to all the songs. And sometimes I feel disapointed because a lot of her lyrics are just dark profanity.
  38. BabyJane
    Mar 16, 2015
    7
    Track by track review:
    1. Bad Romance 8.5/10
    2. Alejandro 10/10
    3. Monster 10/10
    4. Speechless 4/10
    5. Dance in the Dark 0.5/10
    6. Telephone 6/10
    7. So Happy I Could Die 10/10
    8. Teeth 10/10

    Highlights: So Happy I Could Die, Monster, Teeth, Alejandro, Bad Romance.
    Potential singles: Bad Romance, Dance in the Dark, Monster, Telephone.
  39. aliceinwonderla
    Mar 26, 2017
    7
    Dance in the Dark, Bad Romance and So Happy I Could Die are great pop songs, they carry this EP.

    The rest of it is just okay, nothing outstanding, just generic pop music with generic lyrics.
  40. thecriticboy
    Aug 2, 2015
    7
    No doubt it is a good job. Gaga I managed to follow the quality that I leave you with The Fame, the only downside of this album is that half of the songs are quite commercial and its quality is very loose but very rhythmic.
  41. geleh
    Sep 23, 2020
    7
    This album is way more different than the ones from the time it was released and still is, you could definitely see ''Bad Romance'' being released nowadays, but some songs like ''Monster'' and ''So Happy I Could Die'' are really outdated. Overall it is a great album.
  42. Vakarisjurg
    Jul 5, 2022
    7
    i enjoying these songs but there aren't many songs so good in this album...
  43. GhostlyMenace
    May 9, 2023
    7
    More pop bullcrap from the peanut gallery for horny fans to obsess over. It was fun to listen to but nothing special.
  44. Manucci555
    Aug 21, 2023
    7
    Its a decent, if predictable, pop album from one of the genre's most recognizable figures.
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Awards & Rankings

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

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
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.
    Read full review
  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.
    Read full review
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