Album: Adam Lambert Acoustic Live! - Adam Lambert

Adam Lambert releases an Acoustic Live! featuring performances from his Glam Nation and radio tours! This is set to come out December 6, 2010.

Quite frankly, I'm not really a big fan of Adam Lambert but this Acoustic Live! album is just AMAZING. Seriously. The upbeat version of Mad World is crazy good. I love that his voice is front and center in his stripped down take of Whataya Want From Me and Music Again is just pure fun. Now, I have to be honest, I was a bit iffy when he included both Aftermath and especially Soaked in this record because they are just not the strongest tracks on his debut album, For Your Entertainment. But now, I take it back.

I didn't think Aftermath fits him well - because the song got that terrific big rock ballad sound, which reminds me so much of Daughtry - but he worked it out here and I'm now loving the song. However, the biggest shocker for me is the idea of how much I enjoyed Soaked. It seemed a little too Andrew Lloyd Webber-y for me, but I somehow dig it now. I don't know. Haha.

DOWNLOAD LINK WILL BE UP FOR ROUGHLY 24 HOURS ONLY!!

1. Whataya Want From Me

2. Music Again

3. Aftermath

4. Soaked

5. Mad World

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Idol 18 - Adam Lambert

18. Adam Lambert

Season 8, Runner-up

It's the GREAT Adam Lambert. Ha!

Where do I start with Adam Lambert? Well, if I had done this list a year ago - like I had intended - he'd probably be about 20 places lower than this ranking. Seriously. If you were reading my reviews during Season 8, you would know that I'm absolutely not buying the whole Glambert thing. I mean, I obviously prefer him over Danny Gokey, but I'm just not a fan.

If I'm being honest, I really do think Adam is THE most overrated Idol contestant in the history of the show. I mean, I don't deny talent - so I do admit that yes, he can sing very well - but he's not the second coming of Freddie Mercury, or anyone else he's been compared to before. Sue me. Haha.

Going back, when the semifinals of Season 8 started, I knew that he was a heavy favorite of the judges and probably one of most popular contestants - along with Gokey and Rounds, the pimpage trifecta - so I went in with an open mind. Sadly, he shrieked through Satisfaction, and the judges tongue-bathed him for it. I was like "Really? You're going to praise that?" Good thing, he started the Top 13 with a pretty good version of Michael Jackson's Black or White. It was still almost murder to my ears but I thought it was better than his semifinals performance.

Then, Ring Of Fire happened and I thought that it was the strangest thing to ever "grace" my television screen. Sure, it was vocally good but it was just too odd for my taste. I mean, I'm absolutely fine with taking liberties with a song, but the arrangement took way too many liberties that it could actually piss off the country folks tuned in to watch the show that week. It was different and creative, I'd gave him that, but I just didn’t get that. Personally, that was the moment I realized that Adam Lambert was too polarizing for people to understand fully - and yes, I'm one of them.

He further proved that he's a polarizing artist the week after that when he absolutely won me over with his rendition of Tracks Of My Tears and eventually the hauntingly beautiful Mad World. Not long after that, I realized exactly what Adam's shtick was. He operated at 1 OR 100, absolutely no middle ground whatsoever. He would sing a slow song one week, and then give a shrieky mess of a performance the next week. Nothing else. He somewhat made everyone think that he was diverse - and not to take that away from him, he probably is - but he never actually proved that on the show. I mean, I cannot think of any performance that was "middle ground" so to speak, except for maybe Black Or White - I'm not even sure. Haha.

Now, come Finale week, I knew Adam Lambert would not win American Idol because, as I've said, he was way too polarizing for the show. Let's be honest, people voted for Kris Allen in the Finale to vote against Adam Lambert. Do I think it was fair? Of course, Kris hasn't shown up on the list yet. Haha. But seriously, it probably was for the best that Adam didn't win. Frankly, Kris Allen fits the image of American Idol more than Adam ever would.

One thing I'm gonna say about Adam though after Idol stint is that I think he's now a little too big for his britches. His AMA performance proves it. That, to me, was a complete disaster and there's a line you don't cross - well, Adam skyrocketed past it. Good thing, some of his post-Idol materials were good enough to merit some respect after the embarrassment that was For Your Entertainment performance at the AMA. He had several moderate hits since the release of his album and I think nothing is going to stop him now. No, he's not the next music phenomenon but I think he's here to stay for a while.

Album Review: For Your Entertainment

Favorite Performance(s): I loved four of his performaces, which I think helped him rank this high on my list. Of course, the ethereal Mad World, his impressive rendition of Tracks of My Tears, his rocking duet of Slow Ride with Allison Iraheta and Michael Jackson's Black or White.

Mad World

Tracks of My Tears

Slow Ride

Black or White

#17 - One of the best Idol auditions EVER!

Music Video: If I Had You - Adam Lambert

Well, here's another music video from Adam Lambert. His lastest single's music video, If I Had You, debuts yesterday at VH1. This, to me, is the ultimate and perfect Pokemon song. Don't you think? Haha.

I must admit, this video is fun! And Allison Iraheta being part of it, makes the video a lot more cool to watch. Although I think I’m still a little blinded by the lights. Haha. Could do without some of the flashy computer generated effects, I think. But seriously, it really captures his enthusiasm and playfulness, and it’s cool and visually stunning. Enjoy!

Music: If I Had You - Adam Lambert

After Whataya Want From Me, this is his brand new single, If I Had You, the third single off his debut album, For Your Entertainment.

Now,  RCA - Adam's record label - has updated this song with a radio edit. Apparently, there are subtle changes to the bridge - there is more echoing and backing vocals - and guitar at the end compared to the original version. I kind of suspected this might happen when I saw that there was a new cover but it almost still sounds the same. Enjoy!!

LISTEN:

American Idol 9: Adam Lambert, Brooke White, and Justin Gaston to Perform On Top 9 Redux Results Show

UPDATE: After the jump, a video of Justin Gaston and Alex Lambert singing Let It Be.

So, we all know that Adam Lambert will not only mentor the remaining Idols this week but he'll also be returning Results night to perform his single, Whataya Want From Me. Brooke White and Justin Gaston are also confirmed to duet on the Elvis Presley's If I Can Dream, which Elliott Yamin sang brilliantly on the show during Season 5 Top 4.

In case you're not aware, Justin Gaston is part of Simon Fuller's web series If I Can Dream, which includes Alex Lambert. He's also the former boy toy of Miley Cyrus and years ago a Nashville Star contestant, which Billy Ray Cyrus hosted.

Now, I love me some Brooke White but why put her with someone relatively unknown and has a limited singing ability? Is this just to promote Simon Fuller's online show?

It is also weird how only Season 7 alumni, except for Ruben, are coming back - not that I'm complaining. It’s even weirder how these Idols are singing songs in the theme instead of songs of their own that are available for purchase everywhere.

People, including me, complain about the current contestants singing songs performed by a former contestant but why bring back a former contestant to sing a song that was performed by a different former contestant. It just doesn't make sense.

I really think this whole bring back Season 7 finalists and have them sing the current theme is a horrible idea. I truly don’t get it. I mean, this doesn’t even help sell their original music. They are artists in their own rights now and they shouldn’t be made to do covers. Why not ask them to perform an album track that fits the theme?

And because the Season 7 alumni are obviously better than the current crop of finalist this year, the performances end up devaluing Season 9 and only helping former Idol contestants a little by reminding the public about them. But still..

And as for Justin Gaston? He, to me, has a very generic tone. Nothing special. I'm not even sure if his voice will blend well with Brooke’s.

ETA: Justin Gaston and Alex Lambert sings Let It Be. Well, Justn sounded alright until Alex started singing. Now I’m all bummed out again about that kid getting voted off. I really do not think that American Idol has had a more unique voice than his. Maybe Fantasia, but really that's about it. Please, someone sign that kid!

Album Review: For Your Entertainment - Adam Lambert

It’s no secret that I’m more of a Kris Allen fan, and Adam typically leaves me hot and cold - when he’s good, he’s great, but when he’s bad, yeeesh. When I first heard the snippets, I was underwhelmed. To me, it was Adam singing Muse, Adam singing Pink, Adam singing Gaga, Adam singing Weezer, etc.

However, after hearing the whole thing, there are moments of total awesomeness here. Some songs seem to embody the kind of music Adam wanted to put out, and they play to all his strengths. It does feel a bit disjointed, though, going from one to another particularly in the beginning. I think that it’s going to be the music people will love or hate... not much for people to feel so-so over.

Here's my track-by-track review: 

The opening groove sounded weirdly familiar, so I kept replaying it until I figured it out - it reminded me of Shake Yo Groove Thang. Ha! Maybe on purpose? I imagine that this is a 70s throw back homage. The layered vocals are interesting and the falsetto is a nice touch. I kind of like it. A true glam rock throwback. 7/10

I don't know. I think that this is definitely one of the stronger songs on the album. I think that it has a pretty strong back beat with that generic old school disco sound. His vocals isn't as out front as I would like it to be but there are parts at the end where I get a taste of his vocal range and rock wails. Nonetheless, it has a fabulous hook, slick production and very dance-y. 9/10

I love this. I'm actually digging the hit pop song sound. Pretty good. However, I just can't shake how much it sounds like Pink should be singing it and he is just covering her song. Ha! 9/10

I honestly believe that Kara Dioguardi redeemed herself with this song. Haha. It was surprisingly better than what I've expected. It seems to be the anthem of the whole album as it has a good dirty downbeat. 8/10

The song sounds so much like a Muse song. Interesting. Well, I'm not actually a big fan of this one. Sometimes when he slows it down a bit – he gets a little too Andrew Lloyd Webber-y for me. I don't know. I sort of like his phrasing though. 5/10

One of the better songs on the album. It has so much going on in it musically that I kept hearing new things. Ha! I totally think there's a brief but awesome homage to a famous rock riff in there. Also, I think his vocals here are awesome - it's actually in a category all by itself. The song is definitely Freddy Mercury-esque and made for arenas. 7/10

This made me think of Prince. I don't know. Haha. This is probably the song I don't really care for at all. I want to smash that drum machine after the first ten seconds and then it goes on for another ten seconds. Meh. 3/10

I’m having trouble getting past the lyrics of this song - particularly the beginning where it's something about wearing the right amount of leather and eyeliner. Haha! However, I can actually hear this one at the clubs. This would put people in the mood to party, I think. 8/10

There is something appealingly offbeat and quirky with this song. I like his inflections and the way he makes his voice sound on it. It is so adorable to me and the laugh at the end makes me smile. I find myself being drawn to this - weird. 6/10

It looks like Lady Gaga is incapable of writing a bad song. This is hands down my favorite track! Awesome. I love the funky, slightly syncopated off-center quality. The lyrics is fun and insane. 9/10

The verses are kind of boring until it gets to the beginning of the chorus, which is actually pretty cool. I can definitely hear Ryan Tedder's - Halo, Already Gone, Bleeding Love, Battlefield - signature sound in this track. The guitar riff towards the end is sick! A mixed bag but it's generally good. 7/10

This is a weird track to the eclectic sound of the album. Very Daughtry I must say. I actually didn't expect anything like this to come out of his debut record. And although the song got that terrific big rock ballad sound, I don't think it fits him. In some parts, he actually sounds like Daughtry himself - especially the first part. Good thing, I love the song. 8/10

David Cook is to Permanent and Kris Allen is to I Need To Know as Adam Lambert is to Broken Open. His vocals here are hauntingly beautiful and stunning. It actually reminds me of his rendition of Mad World during his American Idol run. This song demonstrates a top class production - deep deep body-tingling bass, mixing of several sounds and instruments properly coordinated and controlled so as not to overpower the vocals. Having said that, I can also hear this a capella and would still sounds amazing with that voice. 9/10

This is an absolutely beautiful track from the 2012 soundtrack. I think that the song is very powerful and emotional that it tugs right at the heart strings. His voice is sublime and flawless. Undoubtedly, one of my favorites in the album. 9/10



Now, I am curious to see what the music reviews will look like. It’s not bland at all, but to me that doesn’t mean it’s good nor should that merit praise. I am guessing music critics who love Adam will eat it up though. I wonder if he didn’t already have the great Idol press how this album would have fared for Adam as a new artist? I know all Idols have that advantage - or disadvantage - based on how they gain popularity from the show; I just wonder if his reviews are going to be strongly influenced by that fact that people seem to love Adam the person as opposed to the music standing on it’s own. I guess time will tell.

I am not an Idol fan who loves or hates just because of who I supported through the season, it’s all about the music after Idol for me, but I just can’t listen to this repeatedly - I really did want to like everything though. I am happy that Adam's fans are excited... Good for him and all of them!

RATING: 7.4/10