Many may not know who RuPaul is, and if you do, it is probably from his successful reality shows on LOGO and VH1, but the drag superstar has been releasing albums and music for almost twenty years which have found limited recognition and success. Now in 2011, RuPaul has unleashed his fifth studio album, Glamazon, which was given a digital-only release on April 25th. The first week sales of the album became RuPaul’s greatest since 1997 which may be attributed to the exposure the artist has been getting over the last few years. The album fuses the genres of dance, pop and hip-hop to create a fun experience that does not take itself too seriously, which is the best thing about it.
The short, forty minute album kicks things off with the appropriately titled, “The Beginning”, a track that deals with everything life has to offer. The track would fit in perfectly with the DJ’s club selection list due to its up-tempo, pop beat and vibe, but there is nothing wrong with that. The song makes you want to get on your feet and sing along, plus the vocals that are heard are better than what was expected.
“Click Clack (Make Dat Money)” is a song that sounds like it was recorded just for fun which is what music should be about. However, the track never gets past the humorous feel that surrounds it as soon as it begins to play. The vocal performance makes it seem as if the artist is just going through the motions, not a song that I would listen to many times after the first.
The title track is a song that I feel would really have the power to be a strong single if it were ever officially released. The beat is addicting, while the lyrics give the listener a fun experience, especially if they are familiar with who the artist is. This track would cause anyone to feel as if they were strutting down a runway; it takes itself seriously, but only to a certain extent, it all works.
Accompanied by a beat and production that sounds like it was taken from a video game, “I Bring The Beat” is a track that does not really come off as a song at all. The artist’s performance is a bit dull, as if they read the lyrics straight off the page without changing one single note. Once again the lyrics are creative, but nothing special that makes it worthwhile or unique.
The uplifting and inspirational “Superstar” is evidence that crafting music is something the artist has a true passion for. The meaningless lyrics are thrown out to make way for some grade “A” songwriting that blends well with the production attached to it. There have been many great songs telling everyone to love who they are, and this track fits nicely into that category of well-crafted pop songs that are not superficial.
The longest track on the project, “Responsitrannity”, has to be the brightest moment as well. The song title may lead some people to expect a cheesy, forgetful track, but that is far from the truth. RuPaul gives a beautiful and surprising performance that gives off a sense of vulnerability and sadness that takes the song to another level. The track is simple with a nice beat to help the song succeed in more ways than one.
The album continues with “Live Forever”, a song about love and strength, typical topics in the pop industry, but here it is done in a new way. The track would be a great one to hear when you step foot on the dance floor, but it just isn’t your ordinary club song, there is an underlying message that really makes the song good, that and a catchy chorus that is hard to resist.
“Get Your Rebel On” is a statement about standing up against everything wrong in today’s society. A sense of power is present, letting your voice be heard is the lesson that I take away from just one listen of the political piece. There is no doubt that the artist was inspired by the lack of equality found in the country and I respect the song for trying to create awareness; the clap-influenced beat does not hurt either.
Things are slowed down a bit when “(Here It Comes) Around Again” starts to come through the speakers. The vocals are soft and sweet, a place where I think the artist sounds more relaxed and comfortable. The song, to a certain extent, could be classified as a ballad, but does not take the typical form that we are used to. The track is good, good enough to justify a singing career for the artist.
The album closes with “If I Dream”, a piano driven, emotional track that does a very good job at finishing the album, leaving the listener with a positive experience. There is a beat present that helps the track out a little, but RuPaul shows that heavy production is not needed to create a beautiful song. Again, the lyrics deal with encouragement and empowerment, but those messages don’t get old no matter what.
Glamazon is an album that may not be taken too seriously due to the artist’s personal lifestyle and career path, many do not look at reality TV show celebrities with a positive light, but RuPaul has crafted a piece of work that would please listeners from many different backgrounds. The album fuses many genres together very nicely, although some misses and flops are present. The entire album is a collection of tracks that come together to form a cohesive, solid experience for anyone with a love for pop. Some of the tracks deal with serious issues, but done in a fun way that does not shove beliefs down one’s throat. The album sparkles, contains some catchy tracks, and will certainly please the LGBT community; the album receives an 83%.
Tracks to Hear: "The Beginning", "Glamazon", "Responsitrannity", and "Get Your Rebel On"
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