Adam Lambert's new disc Trespassing is upon us in about a month, and lead single "Better Than I Know Myself" hasn't been exactly blowing up the charts or airwaves despite rehashing the winning formula of his hit "Whataya Want From Me" (Dr. Luke produced pop-rock ballad.)
Last night on the NewNowNext Awards his follow up single and title track made it's TV debut. Produced and cowritten by Pharrell, it doesn't sound like anything on the radio now, which should make it a shoo-in for a hit. But alas, pop radio is fickle and despite the glorious gospel background singers and relentless guitars it may be too far from the Black Eyed Peas template radio currently plays with. Catchy chorus and Adam's amazing vocal tricks make this a winner in my book, just not necessarily in Cumulus Radio's.
On American Idol runner up Adam Lambert's debut CD, a host of big names in pop songwriting make serious contributions. Lady Gaga, Pink, Ryan Tedder, Max Martin, Weezer's Rivers Cuomo, Linda Perry, Kara DioGuardi, Ferras, The Darkness's Justin Hawkins and Dr. Luke all pop up in the credits (as well as some contribution from Lambert himself), but the album is distinctly Adam.
The disc contains a mixture of glam rock, techno pop and emo rolled into a modern blend with Adam's vocals steamrolling over the electronic guitars and danceable beats. The 27-year-old comes across as a more mainstream Scissor Sisters on "Fever" apes the icy strangeness of Patrick Wolf on "Broken Open" and doesn't shy away from the drag implications on "Strut" making this the gayest Idol album since Clay Aiken's debut. But while Adam doesn't pretend to be straight, tender love songs like "Time For Miracles" and "Whataya Want From Me" don't identify his lover's gender. Songs like "Soaked" and "A Loaded Smile" showcase the wild vocals that Idol fans fell in love with, while "If I Had You" and "Sure Fire Winners" are party starting dance jams.
For Your Entertainment, unlike most hyped debuts in the pop world, is a clear and cohesive introduction to Adam Lambert's music.
Doesn't Adam look loverly on the cover of his new album? It's so very glamorous, the flossy flossy. My favorite part is the blue and black hair, but the tasteful gauged sparkle earrings and the chains hanging from the fingerless gloves are also very prettiful. I also rather enjoy the outerspace background, Chart Rigger notes it's possibly a tribute to Blake Lewis's first album. Damn all these beautiful girls...
What better way to tempt me into returning to the blogosphere than new singles from the American Idols '09? Alison Iraheta, Adam Lambert and Kris Allen all have new shit to smear in my ear and I'm loving it!
First, my girl Alison worked with Pink/Kelly Clarkson/Britney Spears producer Max Martin like all good pop stars should. Seriously, if you don't love at least four of the Swedish mastermind's compositions you probably hate music. PopEater had the premiere of "Friday I'll Be Over U" which is a stunner of a pop rock track.
Sounding like the love child of Santigold and P!nk, Alison tears into the electronicly enhanced rock chorus that is a tribute of sorts to The Cure's "Friday I'm In Love." While her vocals are somewhat tamed from the rock animal that we heard on the show, this is the perfect vehicle to get her into the heads of non-Idol fans. Catchy as hell, I give it a major thumbs up! Available on iTunes tomorrow.
Second, the Glam One, Adam Lambert provides a power ballad to the soundtrack of new disaster flick 2012. "Time For Miracles" is getting a lot of comparisons to Aerosmith's "Don't Want To Miss A Thing" which is somewhat valid. Not since Steven Tyler have we had a male singer so committed to bombastic vocals. But the over-use of strings as the track builds is what really makes it sound so much like the Armageddon track. And while I would prefer something a little less cheesy as the introduction Adam makes to the non-Idol watching crowd, I have to say "Time For Miracles" does not downplay any of his strengths and is also catchy as hell. Listen here. Video premieres before screenings of "Micheal Jackson's This Is It", single available October 27.
Third, Idol winner Kris Allen releases his single "Live Like We're Dying." That title sounds like every Switchfoot song ever, but the song itself has a strangly funky beat. A rock piano line takes center stage, with really strong drums and ultra-inspirational lyrics. The lyrics remind me of "Seasons Of Love" from Rent or any number of Fray or Nickleback singles. It's all about living in the moment, telling people we love them because this could be our last moment. It could be smaltzy with the wrong musical background, but the upbeat sound keeps it fresh and cool. I am pleasantly surprised. The single is currently available on iTunes.
And as a bonus, Kris covering Britney Spears at an all-girls high school breast cancer event. It's magical...
