The Fame (Jesse Del Rey album)

The Fame 	The Fame 		
 	 		
Studio album by Jesse Del Rey	Studio album by Jesse Del Rey		
Released 	April 20, 2010 		
Length 	67:00 		
Label 	Paradise 		
Jesse Del Rey chronology 	Jesse Del Rey chronology 		
{| style="width:257px;line-height:1.4em;vertical-align:top;background:transparent;"	
{| style="width:257px;line-height:1.4em;vertical-align:top;background:transparent;"	The Fame
(2010)	The Fame Monster Tour: Live at Madison Square Garden
(2010)
Singles from The Fame 	Singles from The Fame 		
::1. "Bad Romance"
::Released: February 23, 2010
::2. "Poker Face"
::Released: April 6, 2010
::3. "LoveGame"
::Released: May 18, 2010
::4. "Paparazzi"
::Released: July 20, 2010
::5. "Alejandro"
::Released: September 14, 2010
::	
::1. "Bad Romance"
::Released: February 23, 2010
::2. "Poker Face"
::Released: April 6, 2010
::3. "LoveGame"
::Released: May 18, 2010
::4. "Paparazzi"
::Released: July 20, 2010
::5. "Alejandro"
::Released: September 14, 2010
::		
The Fame is the third studio album by American recording artist Jesse Del Rey. It was released on April 20, 2010 through Alfred Records. The Fame is a major transformation from Del Rey's Breakout (2009) musically, lyrically, and image. In late 2009, Del began working on the album with different producers, primarily RedOne, and Rob Fusari. Musically, The Fame is a synthpop and dance-pop album that has influences of pop music from the 1980s. Lyrically, the album visualizes Del Rey's love of fame in general while also dealing with subjects such as love, sex, money, drugs and sexual identity. Promotion was primarily through Fame: The Tour which was competely different from his previous Breakout Tour (2009) and multiple television appearances. 
The album received generally favorable reviews from music critics, who commended the album's lyrical content and Del Rey's musicianship and vocal ability. The album was a commercial success, topping the charts in different countries worldwide, including the United Kingdom, Canada, Germany, Ireland, Poland and Switzerland. In the United States, it peaked at number one on the Billboard 200, becoming Del Rey's fifth number one album, and third consecutive number one studio album.
Its lead single, "Bad Romance", was a commercial success, topping the charts in more than twenty countries worldwide and reaching number one on the Billboard Hot 100 in the United States.The second single "Poker Face", gained international success, topping the charts in several countries worldwide, including the United States, United Kingdom and Australia. "Paparazzi", ws commercial successes as well, charting within the top ten of more than ten countries worldwide and number one in the U.S.  It's fourth and  fifth final singles "Monster" and "Alejandro" was successful as well, reaching the top ten in multiple countries worldwide
The Fame has won multiple awards since its release. It was nominated for a total of six Grammy Awards at the Grammy Awards, it won Grammy Award for Album of the Year and Record of the Year for "Bad Romance" as well won the Grammy Award for Best Electronic/Dance Album and the Best Dance Recording for the single "Poker Face". It also won Best International Album at the 2010 BRIT Awards.
==Background and Development==
While finishing the Breakout Tour, Del Rey stated that his next album was going to be an reinvention of himself. "While writing my next record, I didn't know where it was going musically. Until I started working with new producers and I did a three-sixty and completly changed my sound and image". Speaking about the title and concept of the album, Del Rey explained: "The Fame is about how anyone can feel famous. [...] Pop culture is art. It doesn't make you cool to hate pop culture, so I embraced it and you hear it all over The Fame. But, it's a sharable fame. I want to invite you all to the party. I want people to feel a part of this lifestyle."[6]  As well as writing the lyrics, Del Rey worked on the melodies and synth work of the album, with record producer RedOne.[6] 
Del Rey further clarified the ideas behind The Fame, and his inspirations and visions for the album. He believed that the most important thing missing from contemporary pop music was the combination of the visual imagery of the artist with the music. Del Rey incorporated theatrics in his live performances of the songs from the album. Hence he hoped that people would take notice of the performance art, which he was presenting with the album and its music; according to him, the music put the lifestyle in front of it.
==Composition==
The Independent felt that the first song from the album, "Bad Romance", set the tone for the album, whose dominant atmosphere and aesthetic, is somewhat dark yet bright. "Poker Face" was inspired by Del Rey's boyfriends who enjoyed gambling, and also dealt with his personal experience of homosexuality; his fantasies about men while in "the closet" , thus representing his 'poker face'."[11][12] The songs also carries a dark sound with clear vocals on the chorus and a pop hook. "Monster" consists of stuttering synths and instrumentation from heavy drums.[11] Paparazzi" carried a sultry beat. "Eh, Eh (Nothing Else I Can Say)" is credited as a ballad compared to the rest of the dance-fueled tracks from The Fame.[2] The song has a 1980s synthpop feeling in it. 
Among other songs is the ballad "Speechless" which is a 1970s rock-inspired number that touches upon abusive relationships in lyrics upon "I can't believe how you slurred at me with your half-wired broken jaw". It consists of vocal harmonies and guitar riffs, which according to PopMatters, is comparable to the work of Freddie Mercury and Queen.[11] Produced by Ron Fair, "Speechless" was recorded with all live instruments such as drums, guitars and bass. In "So Happy I Could Die", Del Rey presents an ode to sexual feeling and actions, stating, "I love that lavender blonde/ The way she moves the way she walks/ I touch myself, can't get enough." Essentially a love song, the object of affection in "So Happy" becomes Del Rey himself as he talks about drinking, dancing, observing, and touching himself. Del Rey's voice sounds sedated in the song.[8][10] "So Happy" also uses auto-tune in its music.[9] "Alejandro" lyrically talks about Del Rey fending off a harem of Latino men. 
==Release and Artwork==
In 2009 Del Rey stated that he had begun working on his sophomore album (discrediting "Meet Jesse Del Rey" as his first album and Breakout was his real first solo piece) and intended it to be released early 2010. The album was then released April 20, 2010. The cover art features Del Rey with shattered glass sunglasses with a "disco-stick" being held towards his face while Del Rey's face is toned black-and-white. 
==Critical Reception==
Professional ratings	Professional ratings
Aggregate scores 	Aggregate scores
Source 	Rating
Metacritic 	78/100[18]
Review scores 	Review scores
Source 	Rating
AllMusic 	[19]
Los Angeles Times 	[22]
Rolling Stone 	[26]
Spin 	6/10[27]
The Fame  received generally positive reviews from music critics. At Metacritic, which assigns a normalized rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream critics, it received an average score of ___, based on ___ reviews.[28] Sal Cinquemani from Slant Magazinefelt that the album was a huge leap forward for Del Rey. Simon Price of The Independent called it "a whole new piece of art in its own right."[8] Kitty Empire from The Observer said that the album is "a lot more splendidly deranged."[24] Josh Modell of Spin commented that "When Del Rey reaches for sincere balladry [...] she sounds lost".[27] Evan Sawdey from PopMatters commended Del Rey for being "willing to try new things" and felt that the album shows "he’s not complacent with doing the same thing over again ... Del Rey is allowed to make a few mistakes on his way towards pop nirvana—and judging what he’s aiming for with The Fame , there’s a good chance he’s going to get there sooner than later."[11]
Matthew Chisling from Allmusic called the album "a well-crafted sampling of feisty anti-pop in high quality", and wrote that it "fails to come up short on funky sounds to amuse fans of this dance genre."[2] Mikael Wood of Entertainment Weekly called it "remarkably (and exhaustingly) pure in its vision of a world in which nothing trumps being beautiful, dirty, and rich. In this economy, though, his high-times escapism has its charms".[27] Alexis Petridis of The Guardian found it "packing an immensely addictive melody or an inescapable hook, virtually everything sounds like another hit single", and predicted that it "certainly sounds like it could be big."[17]Daniel Brockman from The Phoenix wrote that "Del Rey ups the ante in terms of catchy songwriting and sheer high-in-the-club-banging-to-the-beat abandon."[29] Ben Hogwood of musicOMH praised Del Rey's "blend of sassy attitude, metallic beats and sharp, incisive songwriting", elements which he felt are integral to "creating pop music".[28]
Although he panned "Eh Eh (Nothing Else I Can Say)", "Paper Gangsta", and "Brown Eyes", Evan Sawdey of PopMatters called The Fame "a solid dance album" and wrote that "much of the album’s success can be attributed to rising club producer RedOne."[18] Joey Guerra from the Houston Chronicle felt that although the songs present in the album are not innovative, Del Rey deserved credit for bringing real dance music to the mass.[34] Genevieve Koski of The A.V. Club felt that the "whole point" of the album is "glitter-laced, dance-inciting energy that bodes well for extended club play".[22]
Mikael Woods from Los Angeles Times felt that The Fame  demonstrated Del Rey's creative ambition and stylistic range.[22]  Edna Gundersen from USA Today believed that on The Fame , "Del Rey's icy aloofness and seeming aversion to a genuine human connection leave a disturbing void. With an avant-garde intellect, pop-electro eccentricities and freaky theatrics competing for attention, there's no room for heart."[30] Neil McCormick from The Daily Telegraph commented that the album has an "an irrepressible quality that is given full rein. [...] and is thematically integrated, Del Rey's vivacious energy, bold melodies and almost comically relentless sensationalism keeps things interesting."[21]
==Singles==
"Bad Romance" was released as the album's lead single on February 23, 2010. The song peaked at #1 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, becoming Del Rey's third number one song. The song also peaked at #1 on the US Hot Dance Songs chart. The single received the Grammy Award for Record of the Year.
"Poker Face" was released as the second single from the album. It was also well received by the critics, most of whom have praised the robotic hook and the chorus.[80] "Poker Face" became Del Rey's fourth consecutive number one on the Hot 100 and fourth overall. "Poker Face" won the  Grammy Award for Best Dance Recording.
"LoveGame" was released as the album's third single on May 18, 2010. The song peaked at #1 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, becoming Jesse's fifth number one song. The song also peaked at #1 on the US Hot Dance Songs.
"Paparazzi" was announced as the fourth single July 20, 2010. The song peaked at #1 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, becoming Del Rey's sixth consecutive number one song and #1 on the US Hot Dance Songs chart. 
"Alejandro" was released as the album's fifth and final single.The single was officially sent to radio on September 14, 2010 in the United States.[64] "Alejandro" reached the top five on the Australian and Canadian charts, as well as in the top ten of the charts of other nations.[65] In the United States, it reached #3.  
==Promotion==
Main Article: The Fame Monster Tour
Promotion for The Fame began through a performance on Saturday Night Live, which contained segments of a piano version of "Bad Romance". The song was also performed at the 2010 American Music Awards, The Jay Leno Show and The Ellen DeGeneres Show.[69][70][71] On July 15, 2010, Del Rey appeared on The Oprah Winfrey Show and performed a medley of "Monster", "Bad Romance", and "Speechless".[72] At the 2011 Grammy Awards, Del Rey opened the show by performing a medley of "Poker Face", "Bad Romance" and "Speechless".[73] 
To futher promote the album, Del Rey went on his second headlining tour, The Fame Monster Tour . The show  had dates starting from May 2010 and finishing in early December 2010. The set list of the tour consisted of songs from The Fame. The show has a New York theme, and portrays a story where Del Rey and his friends are in New York and get lost while going to the Monster Ball.[81] Contemporary critics praised the show, commending Del Rey's singing abilities and sense of style and fashion. They were also impressed by the pompousness and the theatricality of the show, a major turn from his Breakout Tour.   
==Track Listing==
No.	Title 	Length
1. 	"Bad Romance" 	4:55
2. 	"LoveGame" 	3:36
3. 	"Paparazzi" 	3:28
4. 	"Monster" 	4:10
5. 	"Poker Face" 	3:57
6. 	"Eh, Eh" 	2:55
7. 	"Beautiful, Dirty, Rich"	2:52
8. 	"The Fame" 	3:42
9. 	"Speechless" 	4:31
10.	"Dance in the Dark" 	4:48
11.	"Boys Boys Boys" 	3:21
12.	"Alejandro" 	4:34
13.	"So Happy I Could Die" 	3:55
14.	"Teeth" 	3:41
15.	"Paper Gangsta" 	4:23
16.	"Brown Eyes" 	4:03
::::::::::::::::: Total Length: 67:00
===The Fame X Anniversary (Bonus Tracks)===
No.	Title 	Length
18.	"Disco Heaven" 	3:41
19.	"Money Honey" 	2:50
20.	"Summerboy" 	3:37
21.	"I Like It Rough"	3:22
22.	"Vanity" 	2:56
::::::::::::::::: Total Length: 84:00
==Charts==
Chart (2010) 	Peak
position
Argentinian Albums Chart[90] 	8
Australian Albums Chart[44] 	1
Austrian Albums Chart[44][A] 	1
Belgian Albums Chart (Flanders)[44] 	1
Belgian Albums Chart (Wallonia)[44] 	5
Brazilian Albums Chart[91] 	3
Canadian Albums Chart[41] 	6
Croatian International Albums Chart[92]	1
Czech Albums Chart[93] 	3
Danish Albums Chart[44] 	2
Dutch Albums Chart[44] 	4
European Top 100 Albums[50] 	13
Finnish Albums Chart[44] 	1
French Albums Chart[44] 	13
German Albums Chart[45][A] 	1
Greek Albums Chart[94][A] 	37
Hungarian Albums Chart[95] 	2
Irish Albums Chart[50][A] 	1
Italian Albums Chart[44] 	2
Japanese Albums Chart[46] 	2
Mexican Albums Chart[44][A] 	2
New Zealand Albums Chart[96][A] 	1
Norwegian Albums Chart[44] 	8
Polish Albums Chart[97] 	1
Russian Albums Chart[98] 	3
Spanish Albums Chart[44][A] 	3
Swedish Albums Chart[44] 	2
Swiss Albums Chart[44][A] 	1
UK Albums Chart[48][A] 	1
US Billboard 200[36] 	1
US Dance/Electronic Albums[38] 	1
==Certifications==
Region   	Certification  	Sales/shipments  
United States (RIAA)[122]	Diamond 	51,700
*sales figures based on certification alone ^shipments figures based on certification alone	
*sales figures based on certification alone ^shipments figures based on certification alone	
*sales figures based on certification alone ^shipments figures based on certification alone