|
|
Post by 4Ms on Jun 25, 2012 4:27:02 GMT -5
Pop Matters: Trespassing Review: "Trespassing"? Yeah, my ass. 5/10
Pop Matters
Adam Lambert: Trespassing
By Josh Langhoff 14 June 2012
PopMatters Associate Music Editor
www.popmatters.com/pm/review/159246-adam-lambert-trespassing/
"Trespassing"? Yeah, my ass.
Let’s get something straight: Trespassing is not Adam Lambert’s “big gay dance-club album” (as one illustrious publication put it) any more than Savage Garden was Savage Garden’s big gay pop album or Songs from the West Coast was Elton John’s big gay roots album. With Trespassing, Lambert becomes the first out solo artist to score a number one album—cigars all around!—but queer identity barely shows up in the songs themselves. The pronouns are mostly “you”, and the innuendos pretty much top out at “straight jacket” and “Such a beautiful release / You inside of me”. Everything else—ignoring “no trespassing” signs, partying all night, enjoying naked love—is hedonism available any day of the week in Pink or Ke$ha songs, on classic rock radio or blues clubs or wherever. This isn’t a knock against the album; that’ll come in a minute. But taken at face value, Trespassing reads straight or gay: however you want it. Take the subject of “Kickin’ In”, the one who puts her shot glass down and asks for another round. If you hear her as a drag queen, you probably read about it on Twitter.
Screw Twitter. I’m too busy trying to figure out whether the drag queen’s friend Eddie, who’s got words that rhyme and a dirty mind, is some outdated Ed Lover reference.
Anyway, heard at face value, “Kickin’ In” is the best song here—produced by Pharrell Williams in strutting MJ knockoff mode, with mysterious synth percussion that makes me laugh like his Britney jams did more than a decade ago. (Remember “Boys”? Now, don’t you think Glambert should cover it? Let’s start a petition.) Lambert sings in octaves, his party starter tenor laced with the menace of his impossibly clear falsetto. There’s a cool breakdown with a kaleidoscopic array of Glamberts leering and shouting, as though you’re viewing him through the bottom of an empty tumbler. Pharrell also produced the opener “Trespassing”, a funky march with handclaps and a bassline that swings like a Chic-y monkey. Speaking of Chic, guitar hero Nile Rogers shows up on “Shady”, a reasonably funky Lester Mendez production that inhabits the same freak-infested clubs as Ke$ha, with salacious vocal swoops out of the Pussycat Dolls’ “Buttons”. These songs are all on the album’s first half, seven uptempo dance tunes ranging from really good to pretty good (“Cuckoo”, “Naked Love”) to forgettable (“Pop That Lock”, inexplicable second single “Never Close Our Eyes”). The kick drums stomp; the synths are state-of-the-charts; song lengths fill a narrow range from 3:00 to 4:08.
Here’s why I mention song lengths. Almost from the start of American Idol, fans and critics speculated about which contestant would use the show’s format to break molds and shift paradigms, or to rebel against the format itself. To date on Idol, only two contestants have fit the bill: Sanjaya Malakar, who demonstrated that the public has terrible taste, and Adam Lambert, who proved the opposite. Even Joshua Ledet, Season 11’s insanely talented gospel-soul screamer, fits the Idol mold: an attractive person singing a song well, usually in a way we’re accustomed to hearing it sung, and receiving a reward. In contrast, Lambert took over Season Eight, mentoring the other contestants, doling out his own rewards (“Mad World”) and punishments (“Ring of Fire”), and using the format to establish himself as the country’s most vital entertainer. Despite his second-place finish, he owned the show; he was bigger than the Simons. (Rolling Stone’s Rob Sheffield: “Having Adam around seems to cheer everybody up, including the other singers, who know the pressure’s off. Hell, even Simon looks happy.”) If Season Eight—or Idol itself—is remembered artistically centuries from now, it’ll be for Glambert’s performances.
After the season ended, the question—the worry—became, “How does he translate this persona into a recording career?” Idol gave Lambert the gift of constraints; he kept his songs to a certain length so the producers wouldn’t give him the stiletto boot, because what fun would that’ve been? He sang MJ and Johnny Cash because he had to, upending audience expectations in the process. On-stage, Lambert was a big-hearted rebel, but the show’s narrow parameters gave him something to rebel against. As my wife feverishly downloaded his singles, there was something disappointing about hearing “Black or White” apart from the Idol stage—it simply sounded like a really good singer’s cover version, but not like the world historical chokehold of the previous night.
So unfortunately, the answer to that worried question remains, “He hasn’t figured it out yet”. Like his first album For Your Entertainment, Trespassing disappoints because it’s Lambert playing on pop’s terms and sometimes narrowing the terms unnecessarily. He hires the same big-name Top 40 writers and producers that everyone hires—heck, even Entertainment featured pomp-rock guys from The Darkness and Muse alongside Max Martin and Shellback. His songs all run about the same length—yes, pop singles are supposed to be short, but pop albums from Erasure to Big & Rich to Madonna have been unafraid to stretch out musically. Trespassing deviates from the big beat formula on its second ballad-heavy half, notably on the lite industrial groove of “Chokehold” and the Wainwright-y falsetto warbling in “Outlaws of Love”. But “Outlaws”, like its neighbors in Ballad Land, isn’t much of a song. The second half gets pretty dispiriting, especially if you shell out for the version with three “bonus” tracks, which are like ending the school year with some bonus homework.
Most worryingly, for all their talk of trespass and release and lock-popping, Glambert’s songs unleash very little Glambert. On the solemn ballad “Underneath”, Lambert sings, “Underneath, under my skin / Underneath the depths of my sin / Look at me, now do you see?” Well, no actually, we don’t. Not that Lambert needs to provide a blow-by-blow account of his “sin”, but most of his lyrics amount to workmanlike clichés. “Tower of Babel has fallen down again”; “Let’s just stay awake until we grow older”; “I’m swingin’ off of my hinges / I’m cocked and I’m ready to go”—these ideas have been expressed better elsewhere and could’ve been expressed by anyone. I should also point out that the Five Man Electrical Band came up with more creative “No Trespassing” signs.
So while I’m rooting for the guy and his amazingly versatile screeches, he still doesn’t know how to make pop music work for him, rather than the other way around. Other people do. Take the big gay examples from up top. Elton John’s “Original Sin” and Savage Garden’s “Santa Monica” are both strange and beautiful songs that become more poignant if you hear them as gay monologues. Lambert’s songs don’t work that way—“Outlaws”, his closest contender, is too flatly written to achieve strangeness, beauty, or poignancy. But it’s not just old music that’s showing him up. This year in mainstream pop, fun., Graffiti6, and Dev have all packed their albums and singles with more weirdo personality than Glambert’s self-proclaimed “world of truth”. Whether his songs would improve with more queer self-expression is anyone’s guess, but he clearly needs to do something.
Rating: 5/10
Comments:
www.popmatters.com/pm/review/159246-adam-lambert-trespassing/
|
|
|
|
Post by 4Ms on Jun 25, 2012 4:27:25 GMT -5
Digital Spy UK: 'Never Close Our Eyes' - Single Review: Near Pop Perfection
Digital Spy UK
MUSIC
Adam Lambert: 'Never Close Our Eyes' - Single review
Released on Thursday, Jun 14 2012
Published Thursday, Jun 14 2012, 7:03am EDT | By Robert Copsey
www.digitalspy.com/music/singlesreviews/a387285/adam-lambert-never-close-our-eyes-single-review.html
A glance over the credits for Adam Lambert's forthcoming album Trespassing reads like a who's who of world-class pop. But while he's had a hand in several of the tracks, you couldn't be blamed for wondering whether he'll be overshadowed by teaming up with the likes of Pharrell Williams, Nile Rodgers and, on his latest cut, production powerhouses Bruno Mars and Dr Luke.
Fortunately, it's a combination that works in perfect harmony. Mars's lyrics provide the fist-clenching emotion ("There's plenty of time to sleep when we die/ So let's just stay awake until we grow older"), Luke's throbbing beats and squelchy synths ensure it's tailored to the dancefloor, and Lambert supplies plenty of drama with a growly vocal. The result, as you might expect, is near pop perfection.
|
|
|
|
Post by 4Ms on Jun 25, 2012 4:27:51 GMT -5
In Music Canada: Adam Lambert Is Sexier Than Adam Levine
In Music Canada
Eat This
And the sexiest man and woman in music are....
Elizabeth B. Jun 13, 2012
eatthis.inmusic.ca/2012/06/and-the-sexiest-man-and-woman-in-music-are.html
The people have spoken.
Adam Lambert is sexier than Adam levine, who is in turn sexier than Justin Bieber. Lady Gaga, meanwhile, is sexier than Beyonce, while Britney Spears is the sexiest of them all.
Yep, Adam Lambert and Britney Spears are the sexiest man and woman in music, according to a Billboard poll. The media outlet asked readers to vote and that's what they decided.
With more than 600,000 votes cast, Glambert was named Music's Sexiest Man, with 26% of the vote. And pop star Britney is Music's Sexiest Woman with an overwhelming 45%.
"Next up on the list of sexiest men was Adam Levine (12%), Justin Bieber (10%), and Enrique Iglesias (9.75%). Tokio Hotel's Bill Kaulitz made the top 10 without even being on the original ballot, and a write-in entry, Jo Calderone, would have placed in the top 10 were in not for the fact that Jo is actually Lady Gaga's alter ego and therefore doesn't qualify for sexiest man.
"The ladies in line behind Britney were Lady Gaga, with 12% of the vote, and Beyonce, with 8%."
After Beyonce comes Rihanna, Katy Perry, Demi Lovato, Madonna, J Lo and Nicki Minaj.
Bill Kaulitz's fourth place is followed by Bruno Mars, Jon Bon Jovi, Chris Brown, Usher and Drake.
I'm sickened by Chris Brown's inclusion, but not surprised, since, as we know, there are plenty of ladies out there willing to offer their faces up for punching and who will even fight for the privilege.
|
|
|
|
Post by 4Ms on Jun 25, 2012 4:28:15 GMT -5
Adam & Shoshanna Tweets: Queen Rehearsal & Adam's Gone Native shoshanna stone @shoshannastone Pinch myself moment #Adam+queen 10:12 AM - 14 Jun 12 via Twitter for iPhone · Details shoshanna stone @shoshannastone  pic.twitter.com/MiuNa2jM10:26 AM - 14 Jun 12 via Camera on iOS · Details Adam Lambert @adamlambert Wonderful rehearsal w @queenwillrock... Just found out Corrie won't be on the Tele this evening. I'm Gutted! 2:04 PM - 14 Jun 12 via Twitter for iPhone · Details shoshanna stone @shoshannastone He is such an honoury Brit. Even into Corrie now! #adamlovescorrie 2:56 PM - 14 Jun 12 via Twitter for iPhone · Details |
|
|
|
Post by 4Ms on Jun 25, 2012 4:28:39 GMT -5
|
|
|
|
Post by 4Ms on Jun 25, 2012 4:29:03 GMT -5
Teenie Magazine Poland: Fan Club No 7 2012 | Scan & Translation
Iwona Be. (@lambigirly)
Posted Thursday 14th June 2012 from Twitlonger
www.twitlonger.com/show/hreagp
TRANSLATION
ADAM LAMBERT ON NEW POLISH ISSUE OF TEENIE MAGAZINE FAN CLUB NO 7/2012
He is in In & Out section (he is of course IN).
It's about his album, Trespassing.
Descpription-> New Adam Lambert's album.
"This album is an invitation into my world", says Adam Lambert about his new album.
Twelve hit songs with, 'Outlaws of love' song are going to spin every party !
Photo -> fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/181059_359753000756651_766838819_n.jpg
tl.gd/hreagp
|
|
|
|
Post by 4Ms on Jun 25, 2012 4:29:26 GMT -5
|
|
|
|
Post by 4Ms on Jun 25, 2012 4:29:50 GMT -5
 MTV3 Finland: Adam Lambert Gives Fashion Tips To Finnish men: Take the risk! | Photos
MTV3 Finland
Adam Lambert gives tyylivinkkinsä Finnish men: Take the risk!
FASHION | 06/14/2012 14:13
www.mtv3.fi/helmi/muoti/artikkeli.shtml/2012/06/1562802/adam-lambert-antaa-tyylivinkkinsa-suomalaismiehille-ottakaa-riskeja
The fashion icon of increased Adam Lambert's style is difficult to explain the mystery. A pearl in an interview pukeutumisvinkkinsä rocker gives Finnish men.
American singer Adam Lambert has increased his career tracked during a fashion icon. Man's flashy and surprising style has aroused enthusiasm among the general public and to Adam earned the nickname "glambert". On stage, Adam is often seen What special handles, but in everyday life charmer dress ranges from a classic gentleman's style with modern avant-gard-spiritual asuvalintoihin.
Adam, 30, says she has applied to the new Trespassing -levyynsä musical influences include Michael Jackson , Madonnalta and Princeltä . The glam-rocker style and personal touch of look like costumes and theatrical lavashow.Hänen trademark have become dark kohl, platform shoes and a brilliant live.
How would you describe your style?
- I do not really know. That's the thing about it is ... My style is hard to explain, or why I am popular because I am simply what I have, and I do what I do. Quite simple: If I find some clothes, I buy it.
Who are the designers?
- I have several favorite. I love Gareth Pughia and Alexander McQueen clothes are really nice. I also like my friends from setting up Skin Graph.
What fashion tips you would have to Finnish men?
- Take the risk! Believes that the key to an interesting style of dress is a whole new way. Many people fear that they can not carry sweet outfits, but living in castles are ludicrous, as long as you have the desire to put it over you.
|
|
|
|
Post by 4Ms on Jun 25, 2012 4:30:12 GMT -5
 4Music: Adam talks about Queen, American Idol, being a role model & his school days | Article & YouTube Adam Lambert interview for 4music.comPublished on Jun 15, 2012 by JadellEJ @glam_alidol: DL linkNews- 4music.com interviews Adam Lambert.flv Download (20.52 MB) www.mediafire.com/?gqiv1nch2zz74xdEllo? Ello? (auto)  Pretty (Wm & Kate)  Fattening (?)  Tasty (coffee)  Absolute Rubbish (Simon Cowell)  (Note: American Idol Judge Simon Cowell's comments @ 5:45)
4Music
Adam talks to us about Queen, American Idol, being a role model and his school days
Fri 15 Jun 2012 | Written by Louisa Walker (interview by Nicolle Weeks)
www.4music.com/news/interviews/4826/4music.com-interviews-Adam-Lambert
We have to admit it, we were all a little starstruck when Adam Lambert took over our Twitter account and popped into the 4music.com offices for a chat.
The raven-haired singer with the piercing blue eyes, is just as striking in the flesh as he is in his press pictures. We know first hand.
After we'd picked ourselves up off the floor, we got down to the business in hand and asked him a few questions.
He chats to us about how "surreal" it is to front the legendary group Queen and how he hopes that "Freddie (Mercury) would have thought that he was fabulous".
Related: Adam Lambert feels responsibility to be a figurehead
We discover why he initially auditioned for American Idol and says his age and experience helped him strive to become the winner.
Adam talks about being an "outsider" at school and how it felt to dread lunch as he'd be by himself. But he also reveals how "lucky" he feels to be a role model now and how this means he can inspire people to be positive and go for their dreams.
The interview continues as Adam answers our questions articulately and from the heart. He was a pleasure to meet and we hope to see him back at the 4music.com hub sometime soon. Watch the interview in full above.
Pop in for a cuppa and a chat anytime you want Adam...
|
|
|
|
Post by 4Ms on Jun 25, 2012 4:30:36 GMT -5
Reforma Newspaper Mexico: Adam Is Billboard"s Sexiest Male Singer | Scan rebeca gutierrez @bekkynet
Mexico's Newspaper Reforma mentioning Billboard's most sexiest
male singer. Adam Lambert winner among male singers!!!!! |
|
