Adam Lambert – Trespassing
Adam Lambert - Trespassing
By Richard Wink
Sexuality is currently a hot topic in popular music. Frank Ocean has announced he is bisexual, news which coincided with his highly anticipated Channel Orange album, a release that is being analysed by music journos and fans alike purely to see if there are any clues there about Frank’s private life. It appears Channel Orange is being judged under a new criteria, as reviews hit repeat on each song, listeners try to dig for clues about whether each song is sung for a bloke, or a chick.
Some have said that Frank’s declaration was brave; others have accused him of using his sexuality to sell the album, to get his name out there. When Adam Lambert was a contestant on ‘American Idol’, he finished runner-up to the clean-cut heterosexual Kris Allen. In the middle of that season of the reality competition conservative Americans were confronted by the possibility of a gay Idol winner. People speculated – is he or isn’t he?
For Adam Lambert, during the competition it likely didn’t matter. Lambert, like so many others who have competed on such talent shows, had to make every moment on stage count, they couldn’t afford to be distracted by talk about their sexuality, about ‘coming out’. It didn’t seem important at the time because there was a lot more at stake. Did Adam need the burden of becoming a gay rights spokesman whilst on a quest to change his life and live the dream of becoming a pop star?
Adam’s eventual ‘coming out’ was first reported in Rolling Stone. Lambert, in an exclusive stated “I don’t think it should be a surprise for anyone to hear I’m gay.” It wasn’t, and the world kept turning. Sexuality shouldn’t be a repressed secret, which I think was why Frank Ocean was keen to broach the topic, and get his status out there.
It shouldn’t matter. Is Judas Priest a gay metal band? Did Freddie Mercury make Queen a gay rock band? Is Elton John a gay solo artist? No, history has not judged these acts upon the sexuality of the artist, but by the strength of the songs. Likely, history will view Ocean and Lambert in the same way.
Right, now that’s out of the way, let’s focus on the music…
Like many talent show alumni, be it X Factor, Idol, or The Voice contestants, Lambert benefitted from the exposure of appearing on television in front of a national audience, and the fact that after months singing live in a high pressure environment his vocals have acquired a certain legitimacy. Lambert has an insane vocal range, and stretches his lungs to their full capacity, projecting a sonic surge through the speakers throughout Trespassing.
Unlike his first album, which struggled to capture Adam Lambert on his own terms, Trespassing has character. It is fun, hedonistic and on a quest for pleasure – a blend of heartfelt ballads, and MDMA fuelled club fodder. The album is bombastic, and flamboyant, everything that you would expect from Adam Lambert. The title track opener represents what might happen if you were able to crowbar your way into Lambert’s IPod and scramble the components, the song is a heady mix of vintage Queen baselines, Neptunes production circa ‘Hollaback Girl’ and Lambert’s trademark glittery vocal theatrics. Tracks such as ‘Kickin’ In’ roll around in fake tan and hairspray to thrusting tropical (likely that’s just the flavour from shots poured at the bar) electro beats. Pharrell Williams production, although on the wane, still just about works in a sweaty club inspired setting. ‘Pop The Lock’ is probably the finest of the up tempo tracks, because it is mish mash in the way most dance pop radio dominators are in 2012.
There are tracks that deal with the personal, for example ‘Broken English’ which appears to address Adam’s relationship with Finnish TV Personality Sauli Koskinen – the song talks about people from cultural different backgrounds who don’t share the same native tongue and therefore struggle to express their true feelings, though suggesting this problem can be solved through physical (sexual?) communication. The proud march of ‘Runnin’, the oil slick emotional outpouring on ‘Outlaws of Love’ and the poignant ‘Underneath’ showcase Lambert’s abilities to let his vocals carry the show as opposed to mindlessly wailing over excessive electro beats.
What you want from Adam Lambert as a pop star is for him to surprise us. Though this release is long-awaited, it isn’t the sound of an artist who has been buried away in studios trying to create something out of this world. He has left us wanting more, but only in the sense of – is this it? The biggest criticism of Trespassing is that it isn’t a big enough statement. You think of some of the finer pop albums from male solo artists of the last decade, such as Justin Timberlake’s FutureSex/LoveSounds, Chris Brown’s F.A.M.E. and Usher’s Confessions, and it lacks the defining clutch of singles to make any kind of worldwide impact. Though the album has scored Lambert a US Number One, it remains to be seen if the album can last the summer, and be considered one of the stand out pop releases of the year.
I love Trespassing and think it is an awesome production! But if anyone thinks Adam Lambert’s abilities end at the CD player they would be wrong, IMO. What he does live in concert is mind blowing. Sorry, haven’t listened to JT, CB, or Usher’s albums. Once I got exposed to Adam Lambert I really wasn’t interested, but they are top artists in their fields.
Nice review and pretty much spot on. For whatever reason, the radio just won’t play his single releases. Without that, the album will not survive, and a lot of people will not get to appreciate the talent of this man. He is worthy of success, but as he has stated many times, getting played on the radio is tricky. He actually is much more popular internationally. It puts the US to shame for not allowing Adam’s hard work and talent to shine for others.
I love Trespassing, and it will hold me through fine until the next album/tour. Adam wll improve each album – his work ethic and drive are amazing. And live, well, I just saw his 3 London concerts with Queen and was BLOWN AWAY. There will be more collab for sure with Queen, and there will be more of Adam’s own work and it’s early still in his career. He has a lot more music in him – I will patientlly wait. Addicted to THAT GORGEOUS VOICE.
Nice review, by the way.
I really enjoy the album. I thought after the Queen shows that coming back to it, it might disappoint. But it didn’t. I do think there are multiple opportunities for singles, and hope US radio figures itself out soon. The upbeat songs are infectious and always make me smile. The others I enjoy for the sheer sound of his voice and the modern production style. I will always be left wanting more from Lambert, because I know he can deliver on anything. After Queen, for e.g., I would have been happy if he’d included a classic rock song in the old tradition. Radio would not have liked that either.
Well lets talk reality not some imaginary views. No shade, but I’m thinking you don’t even listen to CHR (pop) radio, which is what defines a single success. Good luck defining the “defining clutch of singles” in this era. You mention Timberlake who’s last “hit” single charted #6 in 2007? You had to go back PRETTY FAR to come up with him.
And even that single of his was no big thing with only 1M sales to date. Beiber’s Boyfriend single has hit 2 million already in a couple of months, never mind Perry and Gaga with something like over 20 million singles monopolizing the chart. That’s because Beiber’s mgmt got radio to give it a second chance when it peaked low and started to drop. Google it there’s a full explanation and analysis done on that issue.
Furthermore, you’re citing Usher and Brown, urban artists and CHR is now urban leaning AND “quirky” – I give you Carly Rae – Call Me Maybe and the British invasion especially boy bands. Adele is a complete unpredicted anomaly and can’t be explained in terms of POP. Sooooo Lambert’s radio crystal ball was out of commission as was that of RCA. You realize that Phil Phillips (Idol who can’t even sing) “HOME” has sold over 500K in a little over a month and have you heard it? At first it sounds like a Dylan song. With alot of ooooooh ooooooh in the bridge. LOL Adam’s BTIKM and NCOE were in the vein of WWFM and they thought the Bruno Mars connection would solidify it with radio. NObody predicted 13 reality show singers entering the chart at THE SAME TIME as NCOE, 8 of them from Idol. The “music” is not the issue. People will buy ANYTHING they hear every hour on pop radio. Even if someone released the theme from Barney with a beat.
I will say that having an easily identifiable sound like RiRi (who I adore)…is a great formula with URBAN but Adam is not that singer/writer. Trespassing is autobiographical not formulaic. Go listen to your local pop station and then write a piece on what YOU’D write for NEXT YEAR’s release. Betcha you’d be struggling with your crystal ball, too~
I agree that this country is missing out on something unique by ignoring Adam. I don’t know why radio ignores him when I know people request it. The person that says Adam doesn’t stop at the CD player hit the nail on the head. He is the ultimate performer/entertainer and seeing him live is something you would never forget. He has a presence and magnetism that noone can explain. He’s such a great person and is so entertaining. I’m glad he does so well internationally but it’s sad that his own country ignores his talent…I don’t get it.
First I like your intro, very on point tho not true here in the US at all unfortunately and far too many reviews did focus on his sexuality, with one starting off talking about Adam’s Big Gay Album and another lamenting he didnt share enough of his “queerness” with us.
I feel tho that this album, while perhaps not cohesive enough to be a defining album does have a very unique sound and very diverse in a fun way. Ironically I think the problem Adam has is his voice is so good he can literally sing anything and people all want something different and get annoyed he didnt deliver.
I mean beauty is in the eye of the beholder but I definately think that Shady is a very unique song as is Trespassing and yes Broken English. And of course it is in the end his voice that makes him special, when Adam sings Nirvana, he doesnt just sing the song he uses his voice to illustrate it, although not a unique sentiment or song it is beautiful and combined with his voice it just gets to me every time.
Intelligent, well thought-out review. My only difference of opinion is that I believe that there are several potential strong singles on Trespassing. Unfortunately, they released the wrong ones,looking for another WWFM. Trespassing as a single would be an amazing powerful anthem that would cross all demographics. Cuckoo, while not my personal favorite, is as great earcandy as any “summer party song” around. Other songs such as Broken English, Naked Love, Outlaws of Love and Underneath are too stunning not to share. I pray that Trespassing gets the true attention and recognition that both Adam Lambert and his music deserve.
I don’t know about radio ignoring. Don’t really listen any more to radio. Got tired of all teh commercials and the disc jockeys…do they still have dj’s? I have, however, heard a medely of cuts off Adams new and last album highlighed at the AMC theatres for the last two weeks, filling the lobby with wonderful sounds. Good marketing! Good plays.
Never occured to me thought to connect Broken English to specifically Lambert’s relationship with Sauli, I felt it was a generic song that strukc home about how the spoken word is a complex form of communication that needs the physical to help define it on many occasions.
Don’t you get tired of media forcefeeding us, telling us what we should like, what should be popular? There is so much great music out there, but like book publishers, only the ones who they deem will make them enough money actually get the air.
A fair (minded) review–however I have to say I love the album-mostly because of what Adam Lambert does to music –anything that he sings. His voice is just so incredible he could sing Mary Had a Little Lamb and I would have it on replay. Love what he does to Shady, Chokehold, Runnin’, Kickin’ In (someone even isolated his falsetto on that track and you are right–his range is insane). And you are also probably right that the album has peaked unless radio gives it a fair shake which it probably won’t–we Glamberts know that because we have to work so hard for our spins–not like the “core artists” such as Bieber, Chris Brown, Rihanna, Katy, Taylor, One Direction, etc–you know who I am talking about–their music arrives on the scene and then that is all you hear on the radio. I hope he gets some sort of Grammy recognition for something on this album–like Outlaws of Love–I mean sometimes simplicity makes the biggest statement and the power of this song comes from its gorgeous vocals and the yearning of the words. Someday radio and pop music will catch up with Adam Lambert and the massive talent he has.
Too many people likes adam to be too many things. The music is great and that’s all it matters. Lots of critics gave Trespassing a thumbs up and as a fan i like it too.
It almost seems to me that the people in this country are set on taking the piss out of Adam. They want to bring hiim down a few notches. Why? I have no idea. He puts out an album of music that has actual words. A story, with a beginning a middle and an end. Yet you gave the slightes skew to him working with a person who according to your thinking is past his prime. I think there is so much bias on his work, you never can do a unbiased review. I have been so sad about this,, there are so many people out there these days with music that has no content at all. They are being played adnauseum.
Good point Marjorie. Too many people want him to be too much. He is one of the few pop stars who can sing so many genres of music. I’ve heard all the singles from Timberlake, Usher, Brown, they sound so much alike and there is absolutely no depth to their vocals. All one level. It is so upsetting to see Adam working so hard (I doubt any of the aforementioned artists had to do this for one album) and he still gets no respect or airplay. I wasn’t thrilled with his first single because I knew it was too mild vocally and lyrically. NCOE is a Bruno Mars song and it should get some airplay. He has been snubbed in my mind and the music industry seems poised to keep him from being sucessful. Did you catch him singing with Queen? The audiences love him….he is a fabulous live singer, and I do like when he sings rock ‘n roll. I’m not upset with the review, you make good points. But I also don’t believe he would chart high even if he sang some of the current #1 hits. It’s more complicated and political than just having a good song.
America continues to disappoint me. There is nothing much on the radio fo me, so I don’t listen. No mention anywhere of Adam’s performances with Queen. All anyone will say is he can’t write or sing a hit song. Some artists could sing the birthday song and they would chart.
I think this Album is a m a z i n g !!! love all the songs on it! and just cant stop listening to it…its addictive!! Adam did an incredible job..and it is only the beginning of his career!! he has been a theater guy all of his life….so even better albums (if that’s even possible) are yet to come!!! yay!
Love Trespassing, I feel that it is an amazing album. I listen to it quite often and I am never disappointed. Have a great day.
People in Europe think it odd that an artist’s sexuality is even a factor when regarding music. Just returning from the incredible Queen concerts with Adam as front, I also left wanting more. The talent, the chemistry, the fun–it’s all there whether it’s with Queen or Adam’s own genius performing his written music. His talent is underestimated and not understood by Americans who have been fed canned auto tuned crap so long, they don’t understand immense vocal abilities and really innovative real sounds not requiring artificial embellishments. Go to an Adam concert. You will never experience anything like it. You will get absolutely the real deal.
Please allow me to add one other comment. Hostility towards Adam by some does emanate from his homosexuality, but in many cases, it is pure jealousy. A man from Norway sat next to my husband at one of the Queen concerts and was amused (in a bad way) that the American people had elected an inferior singer because the better singer and performer was gay. They have difficulty comprehending the American thought process–as do I.
I get so frustrated by reviewers because they will do things like this one and say “it was not out there enough.” Really? When Adam does go out there…people diss him for going to far…I love Trespassing…it is a wonderful collection of songs…ones that get you moving and ones that make you listen and even cry. Underneath is just point blank amazing….a piece of art to say the least…Outlaws of Love, very heartbreaking and dealing with a tough issue of equality for LGBT community…it is straight from Adam’s huge heart. I mean there really is no track on this cd that disappoints me. Unlike many artist…ones reviewer mentions get so dubbed in the studio that live they are not half as good…Adam is the real deal…what you hear on his cd in terms of his vocals…is fantastic but what you hear live…is even more amazing and the guy has the performance skills to match. I am very frustrated with radio execs and djs…I have requested his singles and they do not play them, they ignore me. Homophobia and jealousy abound in terms of Adam.
take into heart this…radio is really stuck on replay…they play the same ten to twenty songs nonstop throughout the day and they really are not the best songs…good example…I’m Sexy and I Know It, stupid song by LMAFO that is over two years old and my local pop radio station plays it non stop…They have ignored my request for Adam’s singles…It is like you can not request songs anymore unless they are the ones the station has on their dumb list…
Couldn’t of said it better! Lucky you getting to experience adam live with queen. I think you said it right, america is fed this constant crap for so long, they don’t know any better (tweens especially who rule our airwaves) so sad and it goes beyond that. It’s the big conservative glomerate- clear channel corp that rules 80% of what we hear. They have completely blackballed adam!
How amazing- wrote in my opinion why adam is being snubbed by radio- of course it wasn’t printed- must be part of the radio group I was talking about.
adamrules: 2 words – Dixie Chicks. You couldn’t be more right about Clear Channel headquartered in San Antonio, TX. It is that simple. The D Chicks never recovered from the blackballing of Clear Channel in the US but continued to be very popular in the rest of the world. Rock on Adam! The world is your stage.