t.a.t.u./Waste Management + Remixes

t.a.t.u. [loosely translated as ‘this, that’] are a Russian female duo formed in 1999. At this current date, the duo are the best-selling Russian band of all time, with worldwide sales close to three million units. Long rumored to be lesbian lovers, the duo ‘confessed’ in 2005 that this was all PR hype and that the two have only ever been friends. After an incredibly successful debut, the band promptly went on ‘hiatus’ until releasing their sophomore release ‘Dangerous & Moving’ in 2005. The bands latest release ‘Waste Management’, according to the band’s website will be their last as they have split and are concentrating on solo endeavors. Waste Management, released in July, is the band’s third and final release.

White Robe—-With just as much pop and synth flair as the band has ever had, it is hard to fathom that this is the end. The vocals are nicely layered and much clearer than on previous releases. The dreaded auto-tune seems to be in full effect on this release. but it magically works…this is nice albeit a little slower paced than what I expected.

You And I—-Now….this is what I expected…the great electronic feel with the pure and wonderful blended vocal. this is like the old days…they will not quite be the same without each other when the joint mastery is needed. the refrain is a solo voice, but as it unfolds so so the joint harmonies…the result is a great big sounding song that has not been heard enough!!!

Sparks—-Very synth driven and almost sounding techno-like, the song has a fairly long introduction before the vocal enters. the result is mostly generic until the girls join forces and deliver an almost too sweet vocal. Not a favorite, but it passes the muster of repeated listens…I would never guess it was them if I heard this as a random track.

Snowfalls—-From the onset, this is very heavy on the dance/synth groove that reminds me of the early days. the only element that seems to be missing is the speed of the music…this duo always managed to deliver some songs that were hyper drive…on this one at times I think of Sinead!!! This is a little disappointing…too pretty for my taste!!

Martian People—-Almost sounding like a Numan synth at the first note, the song is made fuller by an acoustic guitar and a very subtle drum track. The vocal, again, is too sweet and not even in English…whatever…this falls really flat for me.

Little People—-This is much, much, much better…I could not ask for much more from this track except maybe a little deeper bass. The vocal is in English [thank you] and pretty damn pleasant. the ‘chorus’ is more musical than vocal and adds a nice dimension to the song…this is awesome!!!

Waste Management—-With a nice nod to 80’s style pop reggae, the song changes its face and again adopts a Numan style synth riff that is dark and propulsive…this is remarkable…the sound is so familiar and pleasant…the synth provides the voice for this instrumental and it is the most pleasant thing on this release. This is awe-inspiring….fantastic!!!

Running Blind—-This is almost a waste of a great ambient styled musical track…the vocal is weak and uninspired…the synth lines are incredibly dark and layered and have an almost rave up feel to them. This is remarkable…just remove the vocal.

Fly On The Wall—-This song begins with a huge Timberlake style synth that promises something really great…it is instead enveloped by a mundane and bored vocal that never really opens up to the grand synth orchestration of the song. This disappoints…even after numerous listens.

Time Of The Moon—-Taking some time to get properly started, this song open up into a magnificent romp through smoky clubs that have nice swirling lights and beer on tap. the sound is magnificent…the vocal is a bit more involved and when the two work together like this the result is fantastic…a favorite!!!

Don’t Regret—-Weak…terrible…disappointing…way too tender….what happened?

White Robe [Fly Dream Remix]—-At the onset, the layered sounds of the song are incredible…reling more on atmosphere than vocal, was a very wise choice. Despite the non-English vocals, the song is turned into this huge 80’s inspired rendition of modern-day pop that remains unforgettable…this is magnificent!!!

Running Blind [Transformers Mix]—-This is nice…th speed of the track in increased and it really works well. the vocal is almost pushed to the back…the speed of the song amped up to optimal effect and the instrumental interludes extended. This is fab….mark my words…you will hear this in the clubs!!!

Don’t Regret [Sniper Remix]—-Coming from the stillness, this remix adds sounds at a time..allowing the song to become a nice layered romp. The vocal is terrible…I am not digging it…the music is choice…very nice!!!

*** out of 5

Lady Gaga/The Fame Monster

Released in October of 2009, this 8 track EP was meant as a companion piece to The Fame, but is also available as a stand-alone release. Exploring the darker side of fame and using Fame As A Monster metaphor, the song still feature magnificent beats and synth lines. Reaching the Top Ten in ALL major markets, this EP has sold over 1 million copies thus far.

Bad Romance—-Channeling all of the masterful elements of her debut, all the great production and all of the beautiful weirdness, Gaga debuts this new single to high acclaim. the video has become a certified Monster…the beats are monstrous…the sentiments are monstrous…this is huge…perhaps better than anything on The Fame…..I can not get enough of this song….Freakin’ Fan-tab-ulous!!!!

Alejandro—-A cliché ode to Abba’s Fernando, the Lady knows where her influences lie and her debts are owed.This is remarkable….this would make a great video…there is a lot of drama in the song. I’m sure it would be Quiche Lorraine!!!! This is wonderful in its simplicity and dramatic flair…songs like this almost make Madonna irrelevant!!!

Monster—-Without a doubt, this ‘mini’ release is even more polished that the Lady’s debut…there is less vocal manipulation…the vocals are great and stand on their own. Reeking of even more video fun, this track features a bit more manipulation, but when the vocals are straight forward they are at their best…this is wonderful…the beats are huge but somehow the vocal remains the focus. The chorus is huge…all kinds of layered synth lines are happening as well as a male vocal in the back drop that rounds out the sound really well. This is incredible!!!

Speechless—-This almost ‘rocks’…the sound begins with nice guitar and dissolves into a remarkable blues-synth that is new and fresh. The vocal is crystal clear…straight on with no effects and it is AWESOME….this is like when Madonna sings in that deeper tone of hers….you can’t get better than this…..Incredible.

Dance In The Dark—-From the beginning of the first note, you know you are in store for a great huge Euro-style dance classic that will shine for quite some time. The voice is somewhat subdued, until the verse really kicks in with that pure, strong unadulterated voice of Gaga. she needs to just sing more often. the chorus is everything that the song promised to be upon the first note…this is not a happy song, but in contrast, the music is euphoric. Freakin’ Brilliant!!!

Telephone [w/Beyonce’]—-Rumored to be the 2nd single from this release, you know Gag is scoring points if she can get a recording appointment with Beyone’. Combining all of the best elements of the debut with an even beefier dance synth, Beyoncé adds an aggressive, angry rant to the song that i am sure was recorded miles away from L.A., but it works and almost guarantees a hit for Gaga…the video should be fun…this is a R n’ B flavored track that will get huge airplay on the dance floors..a bone fide hit!!!

So Happy I Could Die—-Almost sounding like a redux of other Gaga material, she will have to struggle to update and keep her sound fresh…this sounds like a retread…even the big chorus seems to fall a tad bit flat. make no doubt, this is great…it just suffers from monotony.

Teeth—-Sounding like a Madonna retread from the onset, it is the musical track behind the voice that makes this song different enough to jump off the CD. This is a vamp, drag style burlesque number that is fun and invigorating…a great move on Gaga’s part…just enough of a difference that we are left thirsty for what is next!!! HURRY!!!!

****1/2 out of 5

Lady Gaga/The Fame

Lady Gaga [Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta] is an American Singer, Songwriter and Performance Artist with origins in New York City, although she now resides in Los Angeles. Lady Gaga released her debut CD in August of 2008. This release hit #1 in 4 countries, spawned 2 #1 hits, garnered a Grammy nomination and old a very impressive 3 million copies. At the time of this writing, Lady Gaga remains a worldwide pop phenomenon and curiosity.

Just Dance [w/Colby O’Donis]—-Featuring some of the best New Millenium Disco beats to be found anywhere, Gaga shows that she can both sing and construct a damn good song at the same time. the hooks are all over this song…the chorus is HUGE…this is better than anything Madonna has produced in the past 10 years. This is a literal tour de’ force!!!!

Lovegame—-Ahhhh the famous Disco Stick song….is full of seduction and sex. This almost reminds me of Berlin back in the day…it is that overtly sexual. The chorus is yet another contagious rote that is simple but settles in the front of your brain until you listen to it again. The beats are nice…bringing to me the harder Timberland beats. Fantastic!!!

Paparazzi—-Remarkable just for the video…then you realize and appreciate the song as a whole. This only shows the wide range of the material Gaga is remarkably apt at covering. The beats are darker and more sinister with a distinctive New York City club sound all over it….this is the best release Madonna never made. This is a scary subject in this day and age….Gaga turns the tables and almost seems to stalk the paps….brilliant!!!

Poker Face—-Perhaps the biggest hit thus far for Gaga, this is damn remarkable in every single way. Rarely has there been as contagious song such as this ever recorded. Again, the synth lines seem to be a bit darker and heavier…the beats are incredible…the vocal somewhat distorted at times provides a masterful effect. Once the chorus enters into your brain, you decide to live with the hook for the rest of your life. The vocal on the chorus is nice and clear, but the verses delves back  into a more mechanical tone. This is literally fantastic.

Eh, Eh [Nothing Else I Can Say]—-The musical track, from the onset is poppy and crisp. The synth line makes you happy. The voice is remarkably normal…no machinery changing the tone, and you can see that this girl can really sing well also. the chorus is this huge poppy, feel good throwback to the 80’s…it just makes you feel so comfortable. Wonderful.

Beautiful, Dirty, Rich—-The way we all wish we could be…few can manage the lifestyle!!! For me, parts of this song misses the mark…the vocal manipulations are not always necessary. I really think this girl sounds like Terri Nunn at times…this is nice, but needed som more polish…that’s just me maybe.

The Fame—-Very synth driven with nice auto-tune and great handclaps, the vocal is adequate but takes a few listens to really resonate with the listener. The lyrics are fantastic…the life she dreamt of is now in her lap.The chorus is catch as hell and the vocal again is manipulaed…this is nice, but less than remarkable.

Money Honey—-This is pretty fantastic!!! The beats are really odd and at an uneven sync that somehow manages to work with the vocal in tandem. the chorus is another huge, catchy affair that will make your brain beg for repeated plays. This is an ace in the hole…I would have thought this would be a great single and video…what the hell do I know!!!

Starstruck [w/Space Cowboys & Flo-Rida]—-This bass is so deep, it threatens your speakers…the intro vocal a mechanical and removed Diva…this is awesome!!! The auto-tune vocal is in full effect with both Gaga’s vocal and Flo-Rida. This is so sexy and sensual, you just feel the urge to touch someone. This is fantastic!!! Flo delivers a rap that breaks up the nearing monotony of the album at a whole and mixes up things in the right place to keep everything interesting. Genius!!

Boys Boys Boys—-My favorite subject…..Lady wins points just for that….LMAO!!! The song is yet another song that seeps of Sex and Sweat!!! This is wonderful….a classic girls ode to Boys circa 2009!!! This will play wonderfully in the clubs…Gaga could have made a great video for this I’m sure!!! This is great!!!

Paper Gangsta—-With some great bass and a piano lead, this is a definite ode to the like of Sovereign or MIA. This has a nice reggae flavor that open up into a much fuller and layered sound as it continues..never losing the piano lead that drives the track. This is remarkable, Gaga manages to rap some lines that are masterful in delivery…even with the subtle manipulations. this is fantastic…again!!!

Brown Eyes—-Shockingly sedate and introspective, Gaga again shows her talent and versatility. This is incredibly surprising after what you have been exposed to thus far. This has a nice ‘tender’ bass line and some guitar work that is stellar in its quasi-Blues delivery. This will surprise people if they ever get a chance to hear it.

I Like It Rough—-Kudos for the title alone….great!!! This is a literal Tour-De-force of dance beats that were made for crowded New York Dance floors…this is a sweaty, poppers inspired throwback to the days when you went home with whoever you danced with…or all three of them at once. This is just full of beats that inspire memories and an aching pain at how much times have changed.

Summerboy—-From the onset, the song has a more electric feel…the guitar is evident through one headphone, the hand claps in the other…this is brilliant studio work. The vocal is nice…clear and nmatural…the beats are again a typical club oriented 115 beats a minute…nice when mixed with the guitar…this is great!!!!

****3/4 out of 5