For this album Mathew, I will be... ripping off Madonna!

The apparently bonkers starlet Lady Gaga tries to tantalise our musical taste buds with the second taster from her second album Born This Way. Titled Judas, the song is about being torn between two  lovers; the good guy and the bad guy, with her heart forcing her to steer more towards the bad guy, this is Judas. The concept is hardly new. There have been numerous orgasmic cries from female vocalists about falling for these so-called bad men, the latest being Alexandra Burke with the discreetly titled and slightly catchy gay anthem Bad Boys, but surely everyone has a different experience of particular concepts.

The concept alone is not exactly fresh, the intro is desperately trying to recreate the intro to Bad Romance, here however the mention of herself in the third person does not fit with the rest of the vocalised intro as it did with the original attempt. It is very unnecessary as the repetiton of the song and love interest's name fits perfectly fine with the song but someone felt the need for it's exsistance as though we need to know that the name represents greatness. Throughout we hear a elements of watered down House music along a Hip Hop beat riding along underneath two verses that hold the same tune as that of Pokerface with the chorus taking us back to Bad Romance...yawn!

The video is not as controversial as many suggest but it is easy to understand why it would be and why it needs to be brought to our attention as just that.

There is a mixed race man playing the character of Jesus, a take on the mistaken identity of the character in Madonna's Like A Prayer Video? However, it is Lady Gaga's Mary Magadalene position in the video that is the clear attempt at controversy:

• Mary falls for Judas, the man who betrayed Jesus, going against their roles suggested by the bible. 
• Adultery, again going against the bible and committing sin.
• The eventual stoning of the Mary Magdalene character, a torturous ritual that is caused by the above.

The Video does contain a story but it is edited in a way which is very quick to tell. It cuts from certain scenes to others which bridge fine without requring no other story telling, but some scenes like the bathing scene just seem to happen. It does however let the viewer know what exactly is going on with the characters in this story and they cut to the bathing scene, Mary, Jesus and Judas bathing together, alongside the change in the music and the scene is quite explanatory in the 'behind-closed-doors' phrase as the three characters appear to be alone.

As far as the piece as a whole goes, both aurally and visually, it may be a successful formula as fans especially will find it shocking and will want to invest in that but it is not a track that is uplifting or patriotic or profoundly memorable as a song. Unlike Madonna's Like A Prayer as a song and most importantly Gaga's previous work. Judas relies mainly on the subject matter and the rules it may bend with a restraining concept like religon.

The X Factor For The US X Factor?

It's nearly that time again when the public picks who will be christmas number 1 i.e. The X Factor, I'm sure fans of the TV show are excited about it already but that does not appear to be enough, they want more hype than ever before. In acheiving this: The US X Factor and of course the gimmick to set it off: the judges need to play musical chairs. I doubt that will be the name but that is what critics are referring to it as but more to the point, apparently Simon Cowell will be moving, which I think should be ok unless like the majority you only watch the show for the audition comments, and also for safe measure there needs to be new judges! Of course every Female popstar has been rumoured to be 'in the pipeline' for the role which is all well and good as I am sure everyone has ideas of who is could and should be.
It seems to be eeverywhere without much conclusion, which I suppose is part of the 'hype'. All these celebrity names being mentioned and it will probably result in Myleene Klass judging talent...
At first Cheryl Cole was mentioned to move but then that was apparently changed, then Jennifer Lopez had turned it down, she clearly does not need anyone taking up her time now she has a number 1 herself, then it was Victoria Beckham and following her of course came Mel B, who blabbed on a radio show she might have to return to the UK due to work commitments...or perhaps wishful thinking? of course then it went on to more deserving of stars such as Mariah Carey and Janet Jackson only to resort back to Cheryl Cole. The question then should Cheryl Cole be the chosen one is who shall replace her on the UK X Factor, so far all I have heard on that one is Kylie which would be interesting alongside not-so-successful sister Dannii...can you imagine?

The Royal/Bank Holiday Wedding!

I used to be a fan of the Union Jack Tack that is available everywhere but what with the long, drawn out boredom that is the wedding of Prince William and carried-through-life Kate Middleton. It was slightly interesting forming an opinion over their intentions of marriage but now...
what will be behind their divorce?
There is not one person under the age of 50 who will not be using the extended bank holiday to get absolutely bladdered. Does the Royal family actually think people care about the occasion? I'm sure that even despite the Royal Family's caged bird minds, that even they can grasp the idea that all the public care about is the holiday the occasion has provided.
In bulk, the zombie like vultures will fill the town recreating a scene similar to when the titanic plunged to it's death, crawling their way around from bar to bar like something out of the Michael Jackson Thriller Video... hardly a street party celebration.
Once upon the 50's there may have been street parties celebrating such events but somehow, a combination of the changing of the times i.e. binge drinking and the exposure of married life within the Royal family over the past 20-30 years, the novelty appears to have worn off.