Adam Lambert - "For Your Entertainment" - Thread 2

[olivian]

Cool review from Dot Music--it's been great to see lot of positive UK reviews, and Dot Music is a great site. They seem to really find Adam interesting.

uk.launch.yahoo.com/100510/33/222kv.html

Adam Lambert - For Your Entertainment
(Monday May 10, 2010 1:42 PM )
Released on 03/05/10
Label: Sony BMG

Through English eyes, Adam Lambert may look like an '80s throwback, the USA belatedly fielding an androgynous, openly gay pop star alongside Boy George, Holly Johnson and Marc Almond. In his homeland, however, Lambert is a revolutionary. After flamboyantly romping to second place in 'American Idol', his homoerotic televisual antics provoked the religious right into such a hysterical rage that ABC controversially cancelled a high profile interview with him. That he was replaced by convicted woman-beater Chris Brown exposed the warped morality of a certain section of US society.

On this side of the Atlantic, the fuss seems oddly quaint and distant, so we can assess 'For Your Entertainment' on its own merits. Which is where it gets really interesting: for all its missteps, hectic need to please and eye-skeweringly horrible artwork (a real '80s throwback), it may be the most dynamic and intriguing record ever associated with Simon Cowell. Like his pop-revolutionary comrade Lady Gaga (who contributes one of the best songs, the sweaty martial beat of 'Fever'), Lambert has eclectic tastes and fuses his love of electronica, pure pop and hair metal into unusual and often dissonant new shapes.

Just listen to the squelching, rutting 'If I Had You', an upcoming single which may become one of the oddest US hits in years. Or try the title track, which deploys the best combination of whiplash FX, coy S&M references and pop suss since Depeche Mode's 'Master And Servant'. Neither are truly great pop songs, but they are energised and distinctive, not qualities always associated with talent show contestants.

Elsewhere, Lambert is more restrained and more effective. The Pink collaboration 'Whatya Want From Me' is built on a slender, tender guitar line, over which Lambert delivers a vocal of real aching longing, while on the spooked, wintery break-up ballad 'Broken Open', his voice trembles with the same combination of fragility and emotional power as Tom Chaplin at his best.

Ironically, the very flexibility of Lambert's voice sometimes undermines his originality. On Matt Bellamy's 'Soaked', he apes Bellamy's quivering falsetto so exactly that it merely ends up sounding like a Muse B-side. Still, it's a much more palatable collaboration than the dire 'Music Again': Lambert must be the only person alive who still finds Justin Hawkins' metal parodies amusing enough to not only employ him but imitate him. Still, even failed experiments prove an encouraging willingness to take risks, and with a little more confidence and quality control, Lambert might just become as good a pop star as he is a provocateur.

7/10 stars by Jaime Gill

[maria4hitz]

Thanks for posting, that's a good review! :)

[moodswings]

Sleepwalker at Wango Tango :o



I am so in love with this song live it's not even funny.

[tornik]

Reviews of Lambert at Wango Tango :

The L.A. Times music blog
latimesblogs.latimes.com/music_blog/2010/05/wango-tango-kiisfm-review-bieber-staples.html

Adam Lambert seemed intent on summoning a similar jolt of transgressive energy but came up short, offering plenty of fine-grain glam-rock detail (including a rhinestone-encrusted in-ear monitor) but little of the in-your-face spectacle he delivered during his climb toward fame on “American Idol.”

Inside the big tent at last, Lambert went unexpectedly small.

BEN WENER, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
soundcheck.freedomblogging.com/2010/05/16/usher-ludacris-shine-but-justin-bieber-keha-adam-lambert-fall-flat-at-uneven-wango-tango/26687/

Even American Idol star Adam Lambert, who you’d think would shine in this context, came off as a little smaller than life. Perhaps the disappointing performance of his debut album (the best that can be said of it is that it outsold Kris Allen’s) has taken the wind out of his sails, although he does have two sold-out shows slated for late July at Pacific Amphitheatre.

With a hairstyle that borrowed the worst ideas from the past four decades (an asymmetrical pompadour, greasier than the Gulf of Mexico, built to a fauxhawk, with designs shaved into the sides), his 20-minute set showed he certainly has that amazing voice. But he didn’t seem to be having fun, and his turn lacked any of the audacious joy that characterized his stint on Idol. Worse, his time on TV has left him with a terrible habit: he plays to the video cameras instead of the crowd.

[StarSprinkles]

Here's another one, from [url=
new.music.yahoo.com/blogs/realityrocks/358534/that-90s-show-adam-lambert-rocks-vanilla-ice-hair-hammerpants-at-wango-tango/]Yahoo[/url]


But just as Adam stole the show at Staples last summer, when he performed there in the second-to-last spot on the Idols Live Tour, he commanded the stage like Wango Tango's main attraction.

I watched the vids and he did amazing! I'm so proud of him!

[brb]

May 16, 2010 21:49:41 GMT -5 tornik said:

he does have two sold-out shows slated for late July at Pacific Amphitheatre.

Yay, both Pacific Amphitheatre are now sold out according to this, 8.5K people X2.

[maria4hitz]

I'll focus on this part :)

his 20-minute set showed he certainly has that amazing voice.

[maria4hitz]

Another review :)

Video: Adam Lambert wows crowd at Wango!

By Greg Hernandez on May 17, 2010 9:50 am



I love posting about Adam Lambert and I’ll tell you why: he’s not only an exciting performer and fascinating personality, but he’s a hard-working professional who gives the audiences all he’s got.

It’s so impressive what Adam has accomplished in just over a year and what is most refreshing is that he seems to be enjoying every minute of it.

He performed Saturday night at Staples Center, where L.A.’s pop-radio powerhouse KIIS-FM (102.7) presented its annual Wango Tango concert (see video below). People not only buzzed about his singing, they were also intrigued by the harem pants he was wearing. Adam always keeps it interesting!

Also, The Idolator site caught up with Adam at Wango. Here is an excerpt of that interview:

We recently posted a list of all the movie musicals we think you should star in, like a remake of The Rocky Horror Picture Show or the American Idiot movie currently in development. Are you on the lookout for a film role?
I think right now I’m just focusing on my music and making videos and touring. I start the Glam Nation tour in June. It’s gonna be all over North America for the next three months, then I think I have some dates in Europe.

You’ve been touring the world to promote For Your Entertainment—Japan, Australia, England, just to name a few. Have other countries you’ve visited been accepting of your sexuality?
Yeah, one of the things that I’ve found that has been really refreshing abroad, is that for the most part, there’s not as many taboos and hang-ups on sexuality [as there are in the U.S.]. So, it’s actually been really great, because the focus has been on the music, as it should be.

What do you think has been the problem in America?
I think there are just some more conservative people here. But I have a lot of warm, beautiful, very accepting fans here and I’m lucky for it.

greginhollywood.com/video-adam-lambert-wows-crowd-at-wango-28350

[tornik]

from RCA regarding stocking issue:
www.adamofficial.com/ca/node/1483269

Did you look under the counter? Lot's of stores still think that album cover will scare away square consumers. Heck, some square consumers and religious dickheads who don't want you to think for yourselves will literally make it a point to hide CDs of artists they don't support...believe it! Stock problems do occur, though, especially with the amount of SPACE that mass merchants dedicate to music sections shrinking every year, as sales transition from physical to digital formats. Smaller retail space for recorded music means less selection, and that affects all artists and labels. Sadly, barring a miracle, this is an IRREVERSIBLE trend in music consumption. Having said all that, I'm only too happy to alert my sales team of problem areas/stores on Monday, if you guys keep listing them here. Stock-checking is a major part of our sales staff's workload, but there are never enough reps to canvas every store in the nation every week. Rest assured that we're in the business of making money and always trying to ship as many CDs as retailers will take from us. And I guarantee you that Sony distribution is better than whoever released that 'Take One' CD (only Universal distro has more muscle than we do and we're nipping at their heels), which unfortunately has a less controversial cover and probably sits in the stacks forever instead of selling . And please don't go HARASSING the corporate offices of any of these giant retailers because you will only fuel their perception that 'these Adam Lambert fans are a bunch of pushy jerks' and a CULT worth boycotting. I can guarantee you it's certainly not a 'chronic problem'...some of you are just chronic divas. Thanks.

[tsharky]

I really wanted Strut or Music Again to be singles for this album. Do you think they might release another single after this new one? I like If I had You, but it doesn't blow me away the way Music Again or Strut does.

[maria4hitz]

If "IIHY" does well and the label decides to release another single I think it'll be a slower song, and it could be Sleepwalker (it's a Ryan Tedder song so I think it has a chance ) He already performed on tv and it was great :)

[maria4hitz]

Really GREAT videos from Wango Tango

[maria4hitz]

Adam Lambert, For Your Entertainment (7,000, -30 percent, 639,000/85,000 digital total) (#72 BB T200)

Adam Lambert, Whatya Want From Me (39,000, -9 percent, 1.185 million)

[StarSprinkles]

OMG.

ADAM AND NIKKA COSTA ARE RECORDING TOGETHER!!!!!

Sam Sparro (he wrote "Voodoo" for Adam and sings that song "Black and Gold") just tweeted this:

Ina da studio listening to Adam Lambert track vocals with Nikka Costa. They're making me do runway stomps. about 1 hour ago via Echofon

[maria4hitz]

I'm bringing this over from the IIHY thread

[foxxden]

Official Soundscan Album sales:

72 LAMBERT*ADAM FOR YOUR ENTERTAINMENT 6,544 9,330 -30 638,803

Steep drop, but the promo this week should give him a little bit of a bump next week.

[StarSprinkles]

Well, it was to be expected. He had no promo, IIHY is in its infancy, and WWFM has been declining for a while. There really was no reason for people to go and run out to buy the album this week.

It'll pick up though. :)

[brb]

May 17, 2010 18:18:28 GMT -5 tornik said:

from RCA regarding stocking issue:
www.adamofficial.com/ca/node/1483269

Did you look under the counter? Lot's of stores still think that album cover will scare away square consumers. Heck, some square consumers and religious dickheads who don't want you to think for yourselves will literally make it a point to hide CDs of artists they don't support...believe it! Stock problems do occur, though, especially with the amount of SPACE that mass merchants dedicate to music sections shrinking every year, as sales transition from physical to digital formats. Smaller retail space for recorded music means less selection, and that affects all artists and labels. Sadly, barring a miracle, this is an IRREVERSIBLE trend in music consumption. Having said all that, I'm only too happy to alert my sales team of problem areas/stores on Monday, if you guys keep listing them here. Stock-checking is a major part of our sales staff's workload, but there are never enough reps to canvas every store in the nation every week. Rest assured that we're in the business of making money and always trying to ship as many CDs as retailers will take from us. And I guarantee you that Sony distribution is better than whoever released that 'Take One' CD (only Universal distro has more muscle than we do and we're nipping at their heels), which unfortunately has a less controversial cover and probably sits in the stacks forever instead of selling . And please don't go HARASSING the corporate offices of any of these giant retailers because you will only fuel their perception that 'these Adam Lambert fans are a bunch of pushy jerks' and a CULT worth boycotting. I can guarantee you it's certainly not a 'chronic problem'...some of you are just chronic divas. Thanks.

Let's read between the lines here.. RCA know they are losing sales because of the cover, which they chose too so bummer, and those stores usually keep the "Take One" CD because if its cover and because even these stores know they need some Adam CDs visible in their stores.
Sounds like FYE is a perfect candidate for a re-release with another cover to me and if RCA don't sign a new idol from season 9 this year, they could re-release it during the holidays season.

[Deleted]

I can't wait to see the "If I Had You" video, I know it's going to be just awesome. Well, I hope it is. I wasn't too keen on the "Whataya Want From Me" video, cause it was just pretty dull. This coming one, I hope is really good. I hope it is anyways, because I didn't like Kelly's "I Do Not Hook Up" video at all, and it was done by the same director. Besides that, I thought Adam's performance on Jay Leno recently was very very good. It was actually the first time I actually enjoyed a live performance of "If I Had You".

[StarSprinkles]

Here's Adam's full set tonight from the KISS 108 Boston concert. He sounded awesome!

Tommy did great on lead guitar too. He has a more bluesy sound than Monte does.

Monte also tweeted that his wife is finally in labor tonight. :)







Here's Adam's interview from the show:



Oh and yeah, FYE is definitely a prime candidate for a re-release for so many different reasons. I hope they do it.

[Ke$haStan]

Confirmation on Re-Release?

What were his sales this week? (US and Worldwide), any chance of going Platnium?

[tippytoes]

Album sales will likely increase again when IIHY gains radio play and popularity. As long as IIHY takes off, there is a good chance the album will go platinum eventually.

May 24, 2010 13:46:29 GMT -5 reese said:

May 23, 2010 16:46:42 GMT -5 Ke$haStan said:

What were his sales this week? (US and Worldwide), any chance of going Platnium?

I don't know about world, but here is his US sales for last week. He won't be hitting platinum anytime soon at this rate:

72 LAMBERT*ADAM FOR YOUR ENTERTAINMENT 6,544 9,330 -30 638,803

[Ke$haStan]

I hope it goes platnium! I can't even remember the last RCA album to go platnium (like pass 1 million copies-not shipped)

[annabanana]

May 24, 2010 22:12:49 GMT -5 Ke$haStan said:

I hope it goes platnium! I can't even remember the last RCA album to go platnium (like pass 1 million copies-not shipped)

Hm, David Cook, Kings of Leon-Only by the Night...

[TeddyR]

May 24, 2010 22:12:49 GMT -5 Ke$haStan said:

I hope it goes platnium! I can't even remember the last RCA album to go platnium (like pass 1 million copies-not shipped)

Dave Matthews Band?

[tinawina]

May 24, 2010 22:12:49 GMT -5 Ke$haStan said:

I hope it goes platnium! I can't even remember the last RCA album to go platnium (like pass 1 million copies-not shipped)

Daughtry

ETA: yes, TeddyR, Dave Matthews went Platinum

Ke$ha should too eventually.

[maria4hitz]

Metacritic ranked all the AI seasons and Adam's season is second, also the writer had good things to say about Adam

2 Season Eight 2009 Kris Allen Adam Lambert
Arguably American Idol’s greatest find in its nine years on the air, Adam Lambert dominated Season 8 from start to finish. His unusual song arrangements, amazing vocals, theatrical performances and rock legend-like stage presence left all the other contestants in his shadow, including winner Kris what’s-his name. This season also saw the addition of Kara DiaGuardi at the judging panel and the new Judge’s Save feature that rescues a voted-off contestant from the jaws of elimination.
Season Highlight: Pretty much any moment the mesmerizing Lambert was on stage, with his performance of “Mad World” being among the best.

Also there is a mention when she writes about season 9

9 Season Nine 2010 Finalists: Crystal Bowersox & Lee DeWyze
The latest season of Idol seems to be suffering a post-Adam Lambert depression, with its forgettable talent pool and largely disappointing performances. Even the addition of comic Ellen Degeneres as judge couldn’t liven up the season and only served to highlight the vacancy left by Paula Abdul. Sure, there were a few decent contestants, but the duds dominated, never allowing the competition to really catch fire. When combined with lackluster ratings, Season 9 has had critics ringing the death knell for Idol, whose contract is up for review in 2011.
Season Highlight: When it finally ends on Wednesday night and puts us out of our misery.

features.metacritic.com/features/2010/american-idol-seasons-ranked-best-to-worst/?tag=topslot;title;1

[maria4hitz]

Adam Lambert, For Your Entertainment (7,000, 0 change, 645,000)

Adam Lambert, Whataya Want From Me (35,000, -11 percent, 1.22 million)

[StarSprinkles]

Holding steady! Nice!

ETA-maria-Can you get any Brazillian channels? MTV is airing an Adam special in Brazil!!

SonyMusic Na noite de quarta para quinta-feira, 03 e 04/06, às 00h30, a MTV Brasil exibe um especial inédito sobre o Adam Lambert! Anotem na agenda!

Awesome!

[StarSprinkles]

Awww this is cute. A news station JUST posted this interview with Adam they did after the AI Finale...last year. He's so cute and was so tired he looks like he needs to be held up or something. Poor thing. It's cute to watch.



The video is in HD, so you can go watch it on Youtube for the best quality.