Adam Lambert from American Idol

[itschris]

I usually start watching AI right about now because they've typically gotten through all the mediocre contestents and are left with some that actually have real talent. I probably watch because I love music so much, it's always been such a integral meaningful part of my life since I can remember and I've always wished I could sing. I can't and I fail in the worst way, so I think that when I get to see someone trying get a chance to play out that dream, I find it worth watching.

Anyway... there's this guy Adam Lambert, a rather "flamboyant" character, but an amazing talent, with a powerful but controlled and expressive voice and he literally commands the stage.

This past Tuesday, he did a cover of Mad World, a techno song from the Tears for Fears in the mid 80's I think. He completely changed it and sorda did a slowed down version that was done from the Donny Darko soundtrack.

Have you ever heard a song that just sorda gets to you... maybe even effects you if that's not putting it too strong. I'm not talking about some great rock song that you're jumping up and down about, but more of the softer, or more melodic or even melancholy songs that just kind of strike you. This cover is one of those. I actually downloaded the video of the live performance and downloaded the studio version from Itunes. I have to give this guy credit. He delivers this haunting performance, rought with subtle nuance and just kills it.

I put it on my IPOD and connected to my system and just listened to it over and over about 5 or 6 times in a row. It's just one of those songs for me... sorda like Metallica's Fade to Black, that just get into me somehow. I've been listening to more darker stuff lately... sorda befitting my mood... but it's good because songs like that just make me think a lot.

Anyway... I highly recommend you check it out... I think for a couple bucks it's worth the download. The live version is the actual video clips of the performance which is pretty amazing. The studio version is also excellent and is the actual full length song. Give it a click.

 

[avaserfi]

I ended up clicking this thread by accident (I loath AI) and was drawn in by the mention of Mad World, I really enjoy the Gary Jules version. Checked out the Lambert version - it is very well done and the lyrics is certainly relevant right now, no question.

 

[mike c]

the tears for fears album "tears roll down" where mad world was part of was one of the first few CD's i have ever purchased.

i liked adam lambert's version as well. he's basically a pretty good singer as long as he doesn't do his screeching.

oh, and i watch every episode of AI since i found out about it (season 4 or 5 til now)
i like preempting what the judges would say of a performance - thus making me feel like a judge.
the wife is impressed i can say what the judges would say after the performance.

 

[sawzalot]

the tears for fears album "tears roll down" where mad world was part of was one of the first few CD's i have ever purchased.

i liked adam lambert's version as well. he's basically a pretty good singer as long as he doesn't do his screeching.

oh, and i watch every episode of AI since i found out about it (season 4 or 5 til now)
i like preempting what the judges would say of a performance - thus making me feel like a judge.
the wife is impressed i can say what the judges would say after the performance.

I do the same thing I have watched since season two I like the show.sometimes the best part is to try and figure out what type of sedative Paula took that night,no really its very comical,and in the end there is some decent talent left.

 

[MinusTheBear]

I have never listened to the original done by Tears for Fears but hands down I prefer the version done by Gary Jules. Gary Jules ability to convey emotion of that song is done so well. In Adam Lamberts version I sense pretentiousness in his voice which does does not fit in that song at all IMO. Gary Jules version hits me like a truck emotionally, I feel empty with Lamberts version (he is a talented singer btw).

Its interesting that the oringial is a techno song. I definitely have to give it a listen. From listening to both covers above I find the simpler this song is kept the better. To me this song is all about properly conveying emotion to the listener and not about singing ability.

 

[itschris]

You're right in that Adam is a bit Pretenious... he's a "emo-ness" is hard to get passed, but I think he did a great job with that song. The actual peformance was better than the studio version of the song, but I do get what you're saying.

 

[lsiberian]

This guy is an amazingly good technical singer. Far better than most I've heard from American Idol. Just the command, control and performance he exudes is amazing. I hear no screech in his voice, but a good recording is needed to do him justice. iTunes is alright, but like many singers he is hurt by being forced onto a low-fi to mid-fi medium.

 

[itschris]

This guy is an amazingly good technical singer. Far better than most I've heard from American Idol. Just the command, control and performance he exudes is amazing. I hear no screech in his voice, but a good recording is needed to do him justice. iTunes is alright, but like many singers he is hurt by being forced onto a low-fi to mid-fi medium.

I think you touched on one of the things that impresses me about him... his control... he actually has pretty plowerful voice and he's able control it and bring out nuance in his vocals.

I just really dig that song... I think he sings it well.. and he does convey the emotion of the song... maybe not as good as the Jules' version, but he does it well. In the line where he says 'went to school and I was very nervous..." he just raises his pitch and really conveys that feeling. I read that he had to deal with a lot of crap in school.. teasing and bullying that sort of thing.

Anyway, for me it's just one of those of prefermances that strikes me for whatever reason and will go in my critical listing list.

 

[Tomorrow]

I honestly didn't want to like him because of his visible presence. But he has won me over with his dominant and incredibly soulful vocal control, range, and emotion. He can put soul into any song he chooses to sing. This guy will be around a long time and make tons o' dough!

He looks a little like Elvis in drag....no?!

 

[itschris]

I honestly didn't want to like him because of his visible presence. But he has won me over with his dominant and incredibly soulful vocal control, range, and emotion. He can put soul into any song he chooses to sing. This guy will be around a long time and make tons o' dough!

He looks a little like Elvis in drag....no?!

I know what you mean... I don't know if he's gay (not that I care), but he's pretty damn flamboyant and when he's "out there" it's a bit much. He's a bit much, but his talent is undeniable in my opinion anyway.

I actually listened to the Jules version and I have to say, I think I like Lambert's version better the more I think about it. He's got a lot more emotion and empahsis in the song at just the right moments and conveys the solemnness of the song in a more dramatic way.

 

[itschris]

Thinking about it... I wonder what kind of music he'd put out though. I just picture him in his skinny jeans with a feather boah singing these wild song like he did with Ring of Fire. Hmmmm...

I think if he sings the right kind of stuff... and more importantly... the right way... he could end up being pretty successful.

 

[ParadigmDawg]

I could see him singing in a band like 'The Cure' or 'Siouxsie and the Banshees'. I think he has increadible range and control and I enjoy his performances.

 

[mike c]

I know what you mean... I don't know if he's gay (not that I care), but he's pretty damn flamboyant and when he's "out there" it's a bit much. He's a bit much, but his talent is undeniable in my opinion anyway.

he is. not that there's anything wrong with that.

but your gadar needs some tweaking

Spoiler

he might even be the one in the pics on the web smooching another guy.

 

[itschris]

he is. not that there's anything wrong with that.

but your gadar needs some tweaking

Spoiler

he might even be the one in the pics on the web smooching another guy.

I havn't really followed his personal story at all, and my slightly uncomfortable awkwardness feeling told me he was, but I was trying to be potically correct.

This is kinda funny... a couple of the admins were collected outside my office at my admin's desk outside my door and they were talking about him... about how cute he was, and what a beautiful voice and all that, blah, blah, blah. One of my friends, Kevin, who is as gay as they come and proud of it, walks by and they say "Heeeeyyyyy Kevin! Isn't Adam cute?" Without missing a beat he says, "Uh nooooo! He's gay fat and those skinny jeans? Eww!"

I almost spit out my coffee laughing so hard.

 

[cvcgolf]

I just picture him in his skinny jeans with a feather boah singing these wild song like he did with Ring of Fire.

His version of Ring of Fire was a serious dose of bad ***. He has vocal skills. Usually all these contestants just look and sound like puppets but this guy looks and sounds like a rock star. Someone this generation definitely needs badly. He's a bit of a cross between Elvis and Bowie.




p.s. i'm not gay.

 

[itschris]

p.s. i'm not gay.

Not that there's anything wrong with that.

 

[domdom]

It's nice to have an openly gay singer on American Idol. Adam is a hotty and a talented guy. Expecting to see him with a No.1.

 

[Alex2507]

It's nice to have an openly gay singer on American Idol. Adam is a hotty and a talented guy. Expecting to see him with a No.1.

For me it just doesn't get much better ...

It's nice to have an openly gay poster on Audioholics.
Our Adam is fine as frog's hair and we expect him to see him walking funny any day now.

 

[ParadigmDawg]

I just threw up a little in my mouth....

 

[lsiberian]

I think we could hook em up with that British lady. She's got that boyish charm.

They could make records and talented babies together.