Given the fact that "The Fame", and its accompanying "The Fame Monster", was such a blockbuster with over 15 million copies sold worldwide, it's a blockbuster that's almost impossible to follow. So impossible, that not even the very competent Lady Gaga could top it. Especially with "Bad Romance" on the setlist, Gaga was going to have to dig deep in order to equal the success of "The Fame". She goes as far back as Bruce Springsteen, Whitney Houston, Queen, and yes, even Madonna, whose influence on Gaga is so great every song on this record could be compared to the queen of pop (but "Born This Way" does NOT sound like "Express Yourself", which is a rip-off of the 1971 song "Respect Yourself" by the Staple Singers, thank you very much). As far as a musical identity goes, Gaga spends more time channeling other great pop and rock artists instead of finding her own sound. Her fame will still rely on her image, regardless of the strong content of "Born This Way".
You see, what Gaga lacks in an over-unique musical sound, she more than makes up for it in her message, or rather, messages, political views, religious beliefs etc. We all know she wasn't born with blonde hair, and we definitely know she wasn't born infused with a motorcycle, but her uncanny sense of who her audience is was definitely born a certain way in which Gaga not only condones but emphasizes. Both Pink and Christina Aguilera have done their magnificent takes, and Gaga's approach isn't all that different, but it's also unapologetic. She does not shy away from any challenge, even if she ends up failing, the unwavering effort is still there.
"Born This Way" is a perfect representation of her platform, but not its album. The first track "Marry the Night" would have been a more apt title. She emplores you to enjoy yourself, no matter your race, gender, or sexual orientation. On the sole purpose of build-your-self-esteem music, she offers more than enough to keep her little monsters satisfied. Especially on her rock-n-roll rebellion "Bad Kids", which captures the more gnarly side of Mother Monster. But it's also unfortunate that these self-help tunes are the album's backbone, the rest of the content is catchy, but simply not as good. There are only three exceptions: "Heavy Metal Lover" with the best "ooh ooh" hook on the entire album, her ode to Lüc Carl, "You and I", and the album's best track, "The Edge of Glory", which features saxophonist Clarence Clemons and is indeed her most personal song to date. So Lady Gaga could not avoid the sophomore slump, but "Born This Way" is the best of that lot. It leaves Gaga with room for improvement, so she can once again dominate the world with the fresh pop and even more in your face statements captured in the bold "Government Hooker" and firey "Americano". "Born This Way" is a slight step back, but only to prepare for a much superior offering.
Recommended Tracks in Bold:
1. Marry the Night 2. Born This Way 3. Government Hooker
4. Judas 5. Americano 6. Hair
7. Scheiße 8. Bloody Mary 9. Bad Kids
10. Highway Unicorn (Road to Love) 11. Heavy Metal Lover
12. Electric Chapel 13. You and I 14. The Edge of Glory
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