objective: 3
subjective: 3½
Album Playlist:
http://www.mixpod.com/playlist/40917653(listen while you read)
First off during American Idol season I hated Adam Lambert, I was one of those people who was enrage on how this screamer got the cut. I saw his cover of Michael Jackson's 'Black or White' (not dissing him coz' I'm an MJ fan) He totally was totally screaming the song but all that changed when he performed Smokey Robinson's 'Track of My Tears' that right there should change your perception of him as a singer, I mean throw that 'he can't sing BS' and do I really need to discuss his cover of Mad World? Just go and YouTube it.
Mad World Info: Adam Lambert covered Gary Jules' version same melody but Adam's vocals were phenomenal, Original by Tears for Fears (don't diss the track. remember it was the 80s, rule of synth pop)
For Your Entertainment is definitely an entertainment on the production/approach of the album. Why only 3 stars? because the album is too diverse, it's actually jumbled up. The album felt like a compilation rather than an 'album'.
First Track: Music Again
(written by Justin Hawkins)
'Music Again' the beat reminded me of 70s Hard Rock, Freddie Mercury (Queen) came into picture and when bridge comes and Adam hit the falsetto('look me into my eyes'), Mika came into picture, same vocal approach the track reminded me of Killer Queen(Queen) & Grace Kelly(Mika). When I heard it was actually quite glad Adam did put Glam Rock in this album
Second Track: For Your Entertainment
(Written by Claude Kelly, Lukasz Gottwald)
Catchy song, this track defines pop. that's it--feel good song...a party banger. Nice to hear the grit in Adam's voice, showing his 'rocker' in him.
Third Track: Whatya Want From Me
(Written by Pink, Max Martin, Shellback)
Written by Pink, that explains the angsty-climatic approach of the song. It's a so-so song, chorus part was the downfall, Adam did justice to the song, but the song needs soul and angst,like how Pink herself sings her song, you could feel the emotion from her. I think this song would work better if Pink sang this. Nonetheless still a good song.
Fourth Track: Strut
(written by Adam Lambert, Kara DioGuardi, Greg Wells)
Another definition of pop music, ladies and gents. This is an all out attitude song, the feminine touch is obvious, thank you Kara DioGuardi and thank you Adam for making this such a helluva sexy-attitude song. This song is definitely struttin'. Guitar work is rad in this track too.
Fifth Track: Soaked
(written by Matthew Bellamy)
Another familiar tune, yes I am not mistaken, the first time I heard the track without prior knowledge of who wrote this, My mind instantly thought of Muse, Now Muse(band) is an awesome-unique band, I'm overly familiar with their music and how Matthew Bellamy (Muse Vocalist) would create songs and would sing it. This track is overly familiar and I would consider this a Muse song but marvelous vocal performance from Adam Lambert.
This track felt like a cover but do listen to the song, it IS good.
Sixth Track: Sure Fire Winners
(written by David Gamson, Alexander James, Oliver Lieber)
the grit yes! guitar riff is good, nice beat accompanying it. This is my kind of pop but I have to admit this song seems to be a cheezy theme song of a superhero TV series. but who cares, give me a rad beat, it'll be on my playlist on repeat.
Seventh Track: A Loaded Smile
(written by Linda Perry)
Linda Perry...The reason why this song reminded me of Christina Aguillera's 'Beautiful' there you go same writer, same producer. the only difference is the pop-ish beat on the track but if this song wast stripped and a straight out ballad it would be somewhat similar. And the use of talk box really failed on this track.
Side Comment: Why do I sound like I'm murdering the track? ^disregard. Nice vocals from Adam.
Eight Track: If I had You
(written by Max Martin, Shellback, Savan Kotecha)
Madonna-ish? When trance meets pop Madonna would always come into mind. Still a nice track, I won't be surprised if this song finds its way into clubs. Even the chorus speaks it.
Ninth Track: Pick U Up
(written by Rivers Cuomo, Greg Wells, Adam Lambert)
why am I reminded of the 80s?Not really feeling this track
-ballad-nice vocal-think would grow on me, uhm, I don't even know how to start, let me just say Guitar Solo is great.
Tenth Track: Fever
(written by Lady Gaga, Jeff Bhasker)
'Fever' has got to be the standout track of the album. was surprised to see Lady Gaga wrote this, not too familiar with Gaga's music (except her hits) but with this? Oh the girl knows music. I can't say if this is a Gaga song or an Adam song so take my advice and just play this track on MAX!
Side Comment: the only Gaga link I could point out was the 1st syllable repeat 'fe fe fe fever2x' lol <<< disregard. carry on.
Eleventh Track: Sleepwalker
(written by Ryan Tedder, Aimee Mayo, Chris Lindsey)
Another standout track from the album. written & produced by Ryan Tedder (One Republic Frontman) not familiar with OneRepublic's music (except 'Apologize') so I can't rule out if this is pure Adam.Just take my advice and put this on you playlist and sing your heart out (walker! walker!)
btw, Guitar solo on this track is insane and Nice smoothing vocals from Adam(verses)
Side Comment: OneRepublic link drum beat.
Twelfth Track: Aftermath
(written by Adam Lambert, Alisan Porter, Ferras, Ely Rise)
Not keen on this track as the follow up of those two awesome tracks.This track is a skipper, or maybe its just me being subjective, I'm really not into Alternative Rock so yeah a skipper for me.
Thirteenth Track: Broken Open
(written by Greg Wells, Adam Lambert, Evan “Kidd” Bogart)
A standout track. Stellar ! Epic ! I'm sure a lot won't appreciate this 'type' of song but the artistry of the song is good, I mean really good. Intro vocals reminded me of Mad World actually the totality of the song reminded me of the song and Adam's epic performance.
I'm pure admiration for this song, From beat to lyrics to VOCALS--soothing Vocals from Adam (again scratch the 'he can't sing BS') This is how you do ballads. The misty-dark-mystery-sadness of the song was captured by the beat and his vocals. Everything worked here.
Lyrics:
http://www.metrolyrics.com/broken-open-lyrics-adam-lambert.htmlFourteenth Track: Time For Miracles
(written by Alain Johannes, Natasha Shneider)
The OST of Sony Pictures' 2012. Wasn't really keen on this track, first single--ballad, never really worked but 2012 was a hit so either way still a good promotion. This track grew on me but could not fully appreciate it, this song reminds me of a familiar song. This is an alright song.
Top 5 Standout Track:
10.Fever
11.Sleepwalker
13.Broken Open
04.Strut
02.For Your Entertainment
Overall:
The reason why this album felt like a cover, is because of the 'familiarity' from other artists, producers, writers on it. It kind of overshadowed Adam Lambert as a musician but as a singer this album proved his vocal capabilities(if American idol wasn't enough proof for you) and versatility.There were 4tracks that were co-written by Adam Lambert; 2 were stand outs (Strut & Broken Open) and 2 on the bottom (Pick U Up and Aftermath) Still I won't rule out that those 2 standouts were product of 'luck' one 'Broken Open' seems like an emotional -well though of song and Pick U Up wasn't that 'bad'. so I would give it a 3-1. which would lead me to my conclusion that Adam Lambert is a well rounded musician. Bring in the sophomore album less collaborations and more Adam Lambert with 'Broken Open' material.
Note: Glam Rock meets Pop OHELLZYEAH !
