Nokia Review Of FYE

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Quote :: Adam Lambert could only really exist right here and now. In this place in time where theatricality and showmanship are reclaiming their place in pop. Only now; in a post-Gaga world with GLEE, the self-proclaimed freak flagship bringing spangly show tunes into people’s living rooms every week, could someone so flamboyant and unapologetically melodramatic ever be a winner.

But of course he wasn’t. Adam Lambert did not win American Idol, the US version of Simon Cowell’s pop-star machine franchise, in 2009. However, he’s probably better off anyway, reality-TV success has often proved to be a double edged sword; the shows winners often fading away into obscurity, over managed by cautious executive types and forgotten about by the viewing public who are already looking forward to the next series’ sob stories.

Not so for Lambert, the life-long performer (he appeared on stage and in musical theatre since a pre-teen) who made sure he wasn’t going to be forgotten after he sashayed into America’s consciousness emulating the great rock front-men and combining their swagger with the kind of vocal histrionics usually reserved pop’s divas; not to mention raiding their makeup bags and nicking their heels.

Yup, whilst a pop-star coming out after having already proven themselves and built up a loyal fan base is nothing new (especially here in the UK where Will Young did just that after winning the original series of Pop Idol, now some nine years ago) being outed, and seemingly willingly, whilst still courting the voting public’s favour was a lesson in acceptance for the notoriously conservative America. But the viewers proved they were (almost) ready for an openly gay Idol by voting him into the final and supporting the album after its release. And judging by the positively rabid response he got on ‘ole Wossy the other week there are plenty of fans here in the UK who are giving him and his album, ‘For Your Entertainment’ a warm welcome.

So is it any good? Well, perhaps surprisingly, yes actually. I don’t say surprising because of its reality-TV heritage or because of any doubt of Lambert’s vocal ability, but instead because of its odd provenance. Written and recorded whilst still touring the US with the other Idols it nonetheless manages to boast one of the most impressive rosters of featured writers and producers seen on an album in the last few years.

This is noticeable right from the get go, opening track ‘Music Again’ written by The Darkness frontman Justin Hawkins features his trademark falsetto warbling mixed in with a bouncy Mika-esque refrain; “You make me want to listen to music again”. This is followed by lead single ‘For Your Entertainment’, a spiky, whip cracking bit of glam rock (the video for which is below, and if his writhing makes you a bit uncomfortable, just imagine it’s your lady pop starlet of choice; essentially it works exactly the same). Next up is the power ballad ‘Whataya Want From Me ‘penned by P!nk; another catchy tune with a few smart lines; even if it is a little too easy to imagine that it was donated to him after being left out of P!nk’s own album. ‘Strut’ is a powerful, thudding motivator made for stomping it out on fashion runways. You can practically hear Tyra Banks cheering him on (“Fierce darling! Smize!”)

But the collaborations don’t stop there, in fact ‘Soaked’ might just have you doing a double take; yes that is more than a hint of Muse you’re hearing. It’s unmistakably Matt Bellamy, in fact he has recorded it himself and it’s a mere question of personal preference as to which is better. I’d argue that whilst Matt might own the song-writing talent Mister Lambert is absolutely pulling his weight fronting the track, his voice just copes better with the kind of notes that Bellamy aims for but often mangles.

Alas the album can’t be all “I was born with glitter on my face, my baby clothes made of leather and lace” (’Sure Fire Winners’) and there are low points, namely the oozy-woozy ‘A Loaded Smile’ written by Linda Perry – who, maybe it’s just me, but no longer seems to be contributing the album highlights that she used to.

Max Martin lends his trademark electronica to ‘If I Had You’, in which he insists he would give up the money, fame and rock star lifestyle if given a chance with a certain someone. Sorry Adam, but I’m not convinced. ‘Pick You Up’ starts off sounding a little familiar but somehow ends up sounding like it belongs at the climax act of a big Broadway musical, maybe reflecting more of Lambert for once than co-writer Rivers Cuomo.

Even Mummy Monster, Gaga herself donates a track in ‘Fever’ (simply replace “Po-Po-Poker face” with “Fe-Fe-Fever”, job done.) and Sam Sparro fiddles the knobs (as it were) on the suitably languid and sultry feeling ‘Voodoo’. There are a few others that can be skipped over: ‘Sleepwalker’ I could Sleep through and unfortunately ‘Time for Miracles’ wouldn’t do much to save the movie soundtrack it featured on, (Roland Emmerich you owe me seven quid and two and a half hours for ‘2012′.)

But eventually there are a couple of tracks which do more believably seem to have come from Lambert, the defiant ‘Masterplan’, and the closet door smashing ‘Aftermath’ - “Wanna scream out, no more hiding, don’t be afraid of what’s inside, gonna tell you, you’ll be alright, in the aftermath”.

Overall it’s an enjoyable and catchy album, but only by being the sum of its parts. The help gone into it by the legion of writers and producers combined with Adam’s undeniable vocal talent and theatrical presence is what makes it work. I hope that having this support from other artists will buoy his confidence and teach him some tricks that so he can rely less on their contributions have more input of his own on the next album.

http://www.insidenokiamusic.com/2010/05/for-your-entertainment/

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