Do you hate?

More music video news. 


The new Lady Gaga video is out and everyone is pretty much agreeing it sucks.


The story behind the video is believed to be that Joseph Kahn (who directed Toxic and Womanizer) had planned an elaborate video featuring an underwater mermaid sequence but this was cancelled at the last minute by Gaga after there was a fight involving Kahn and choreographer Laurieann Gibson (who has a awful looking reality show on E!). Another theory is that Kahn walked off set and this footage is all that was left.


Kahn sent this tweet: "I did NOT direct Lady Gaga's 'Edge of Glory' video. Lady Gaga did -- I don't co-direct. One canvas, one paintbrush. Respect the art. Very simple rule with me." 


I personally like the result, even if it feels incomplete. I think it is different to what many people expected (which is why they don't like it) but and I appreciate that Lady Gaga is trying something she hasn't done before - a straight forward performance video. I think in many ways it could be iconic if people let it be. 


What do you think?



Sarah: WOW. I hate this more than anything ever! Sorry, I couldn't even finish watching it. It is SO Madonna, and SO Cher but nowhere near as interesting, breakthrough or era-appropriate. It reminds me of Kesha in it's un-polishedness (not a word, I am aware. haha).
We often have different views but I don't see the good in this at all. I also think the song is very, very weak. And I actually like Judas and Born This Way (I loved the Judas clip actually, did you?).

To be fair, I think this is Gaga's best album, best creative incarnation and best art direction for sure, but this clip is just not creative enough. She can't do pared back when her whole identity is about being so over the top. It's like buying an ice-cream to eat and discovering it's sorbet. It's not what I asked for. And I paid for it (you get my drift?).
Basically, when you're as produced and carefully celebritised (another non-word, i'm on a roll here!) as Gaga I don't think anyone is interested in seeing you be "real".

Discuss.

First off let me state that I'm not the biggest Lady Gaga fan. I'm not really into her costuming or her general spectacle, and most of the time think she is a less exciting version of what we've already seen from Madonna, Bjork, Roisin Murphy .... and unlike those artists, her music is over hyped when it is often just generic (albeit well made) pop. Case in point – Just Dance. She reminds me of that typical talented Italian girl at school who is deep into musical theatre likes being avant garde. I can't work out how she basically sold America on this shtick that I was convinced would only work maybe in Europe.

Having said that, I give her credit for being actually talented and hard working and making some good music. I didn't expect to like the Born This Way album (I hate the song and think Judas is dreadful. Sorry Sarah but the video is boring), but it is really good – a big improvement on The Fame. I can see that this video is trying to be Open Your Heart-Madonna, but if you have bought into the overt religious imagery, the gay-baiting and the Steven Klein directed videos, why not this too?

Sarah: I think the thing I don't like about this is that she is she is being too personal. The longing gazes at the camera, the singing all the lyrics with heart, the slow movements - these are not things I want to see Lady Gaga doing. I like the crazy thatrics, the obvious plaguerism and the meat dress. I also like the catchy pop songs, the hooks and the ever-changing wardrobe (and malfunctions).

I admit she is nowhere near as creative or interesting as your Roisin Murphy's or Bjork's of the world, but she is different to them in that she is completely manufactured - and reeks of it - and they are genuine. I would love this kind of thing from them, but for Gaga, it just doesn't sit right with me.
Having said all that, i'm not a real fan either, so in the scheme of Gaga insightedness (hehe) my opinion doesn't hold any weight. I only started liking her this year and I only have 2 of her songs (the two you hate!).

P.s. Your description of Italian musical theatre obsessives is spot on, I can already think of a few names coming back to me from High School. Love it!!