carnivalnights | Entries tagged with adam lambert

So, this review is quite late but it was a lot of work. I had to gather my thoughts, get the photos together and then find some way explain, in detail, one of the best nights of my life. The following photos and videos were all taken by me. Please do not steal! If you are going to repost anywhere, I require credit. The photos are in chronological order, so I have posted them corresponding to the events I was describing in each paragraph.

So... Saturday, June 19, 2010. It was an exciting day for me. It was the day I would see Adam Lambert... in the flesh. I felt kind of nervous, even in the morning. It was hard, but I did not watch any concert footage on YouTube before I went to this show. I wanted to be completely surprised. There was so much anticipation. I had to add a little glitter to my make-up that day, of course:

We decided to skip the first few bands (Aleesia, Burnz N Hell, Spose, Fefe Dobson, Karl Wolf) and showed up at the stadium around 6:00. I do not listen to KISS FM and I hate most mainstream music, so it only made sense to go as close to Adam's performance as possible. We were told he was going on at 9:00. I was really not impressed with the line-up and failed to see how any of them were similar to Adam Lambert, but thankfully they allowed you to go in at any time. When we got into the venue, I immediately noticed the age diversity. I would say the majority of people were in their 20s, but there were some children, some teenagers, a lot of women in their 30s and 40s (Adam has a large cougar fanbase ;)), and I even saw couples in their 60s and 70s! I know Adam has a very diverse fanbase, but it was really cool to see all of those people at this venue.

I really wanted to see Orianthi, the female guitarist who was going to tour with Michael Jackson for his "This Is It" shows. She is a really amazing guitarist and her singing voice is not half bad! It was my first time hearing any of her music, and I liked what I heard. She had a male guitarist with her and he was really great too.

I patiently sat through a set by Danny Fernandes. I almost regretted getting there in time for Orianthi because I had to sit through an hour of Danny. I have no idea what they were trying to do, but it could not possibly be called "singing" or "dancing." It was so terrible. I was laughing more than anything else. Next up, however, was Kardinal Offishall. He is a Canadian rapper and is best known for his raggae-infuced musical styling. I had heard a bit of his music before, but he really made a fan out of me that evening. He was fantastic. He is just bursting with energy and I was smiling throughout the set. He managed to get almost everyone on their feet, dancing and singing along. I have to hand it to him--he is a great performer. I do not normally listen to a lot of rap or hip hop, but he is just great and I love most of what he has released (I listened to more this week). I am actually a huge fan of reggae and calypso, so his style really appeals to me.

Also, they did a small tribute to Michael Jackson since it is nearing the death anniversary. The band played some instrumental clips of Michael songs, and Kardinal was asking the audience if they were fans of Michael and to point to the sky and say hello to him. It was all very sweet and moving, and I could not have been happier that an artist was honoring his memory like that. What a sweet man.

The Adam Lambert part of the show started off with an audio-only "For Your Entertainment" remix. I would assume, by this point, Adam is sick of performing his first single. I think that is why they chose to give us this song in a non-performance format. The audience was getting more excited as the song neared its end. Shortly after, the lights went out. Almost immediately, my heart started pounding. I was actually shaking a bit and short of breath. This was it. I was on my feet. I popped the lens off of my camera. I watched the stage without blinking. The screaming was unbelievable. From the second the lights went out, I had no idea if I was going to have my hearing the next day.

Now, I had been praying that Adam would play "Voodoo," my favourite song of his next to "Fever" (which he always plays so I was not worried). And would you imagine my delight when I heard those first few mesmerizing beats? Adam, opening with "Voodoo." My heart was dancing, and I was screaming "Oh my god!" like a depraved school girl. I could not believe that my wish came true. Adam appeared, through colorful stage lighting, at the top of a staircase. It was god-like, a deity suddenly appearing out of thin air. He was decked out and I smiled from ear to ear as my eyes tried to digest the entire ensemble. He was all purple and black. He wore a top hat with purple mesh, an embroidered "A" and a few feathers. He appeared to be wearing the same hair piece, or a similar hair piece, as he wears in the "If I Had You" video. It is very long and braided with some blue hair pieces. He wore a thigh-length, bright purple jacket with fringes, at least a couple feet long, on the arms and back, complete with a protruding fur collar. Yes, yes. It was "so Adam." He had flared, snake-skin leather pants with a flat, laced up codpiece. And guess what? Bare feet! No boots; just bare feet. He wore his signature black, fingerless gloves, studded and rhinestoned, along with a black cuff bracelet on his left wrist. He had a black v-neck shirt underneath that revealed just enough of his chest, which was adorned with at least ten or more necklaces--some string, some beaded. His make-up was perfection, as always. A black, smoky eye with thick black liner on the upper and lower lash lines. Each lower lash line had a sprinkling of glitter.

As the song picked up pace, Adam descended slowly down the steps singing, "I was lookin' for love all over, you're the hunter and I'm your prey..." The song is so mystical and takes you into a trance. Adam was dark, mysterious and definitely in character for this song. I hung on to his every word, still having to remind myself that it was all real. The dancers posed like statues on stage until Adam stood next to each of them. Like a marionette, the first dancer moved to Adam's hand motions and then froze again as he walked away. Next, a male dancer who resembled Johnny Depp in Sweeney Todd. Adam pulled back his arm and dropped it; it dangled like a toy doll's. I waited for my favourite drawn-out high note: "I'm so obsessed with your sexiness..." (He did not actually draw it out long at this show but he usually does.) As the song led into "Down the Rabbit Hole," he shouted, "C'mon, Toronto! I wanna see ya jump!" An obviously confident Adam commanded our attention during this song, repeatedly luring us with his index finger. He put his arm around Tommy for a few seconds during the song, and my heart melted. By the end, he was walking back up the stairs. He shed his hat and jacket and ran his hand through his hair.

Suddenly, I could not believe my ears: the familiar opening Middle Eastern chords and chimes from "Ring of Fire." Yet another song I was praying he would do, and here he was... doing it! As far as I know, he did not perform this on his media tour at all. I know he has done it previously on his Glam Nation tour, but regardless, this was my first time seeing a live performance of it and I was ecstatic. I adored "Ring of Fire" from his Idol days. It was, by far, the sexiest performance and really showed just how unique and interesting he could be with such a cool arrangement and reinvention. Again, more squealing at this point and my eyes were glued to the stage. He graced us with the same slow, sexy movements he did on Idol during this song... some which he did while on his knees. He reached out slowly to the audience and then withdrew his hand back to his body. His vocals were amazing, perfectly controlled. He remained at the top of the stairs for the song and slowly moved his arms and hands with the song's pace. There is just no other way to describe it: it was slow, sexy and hot.

No matter how many times I have seen Adam perform "Fever" live (in videos), I always get the same impression: he loves performing this song and he really lets loose while singing it. Something just overtakes his being and I see a completely different side of him, a side I love. He just becomes this theatrical, flirtatious, campy individual who knows how to have fun and get everyone screaming. Well, "Fever" was next and Adam finally opened up. Was it nervousness? Was it the audience response? Or was he just making us wait for 'the real Adam'? Whatever it was, Adam was finally here, in his element and ready to strut his stuff. And so were his dancers! But first, it was Adommy time! I was excited to see what he would do with Tommy because Adam always flirts with Tommy near the beginning of "Fever." The number opened with Adam getting a little friendly with Tommy on the bottom step of the staircase, and I tried to snap a few photos despite fumbling around with my camera due to sheer excitement.

The last time I had a 'shipping obsession this strong was Brian/Justin from Queer as Folk. And to think--these are real people! Adam's hand was on the back of Tommy's head. They were so close that there is no way Tommy could not feel Adam's hot breath on his face. But no kiss. Not even a lick. It was the biggest tease in the history of teases. As Adam usually does, he playfully pushed Tommy's head away with his hand and I saw Tommy smiling. He so loves it.

Next, Adam was sandwiched between two of his male dancers and the dancers started fawning over and worshiping him (as they should). The hips started moving. He started doing the synchronized moves with his dancers. I waited patiently for the chorus and watched as he did the famous "Fever" hand fan. So adorable! I also love the way he sings "'cause sweetheart" in this song. I squeed a bit more. The crowd went crazy as he twisted his body, moved his hips and thrust back his head. Think back to those Idol tour performances with all of that hip-thrusting and gyrating. He sure can move his body in a fluid motion. More synchronized dancing. Adam even sat on the edge of the one of the platforms for a moment and crossed his legs. He did the "Fever" head thrusts that I have grown to love so much. (He seemed to have far less product in his hair than usual because his hair was flapping all over the place when he did it. Yes, I pay attention to these things. So sue me.) I love, love, love this song and it is even more amazing live. It is just so much fun! He should release this as his next single.

Costume change! The band and dancers did a short interlude while Adam was off stage. As "Sleepwalker" started, Adam appeared at the top of the steps again, cloaked in a full-length black jacket with embroidery and rhinestone embellishments.

It only fastened in the middle so his pants were still visible when he walked, and he was still wearing the snake-skin pants. Still no shoes. You could see his bare feet. He kept a serious, pained face, communicating the somber mood of this rock ballad about moving on after a bad break-up. Adam never seems to stray from the characters he creates for his songs, and I really commend him for this ability. I suppose all those years of theatre come in handy, even as a musician.

The guitar solo was awesome, as always. I hope to see "Sleepwalker" released as a single. It is a great song. A little dark but certainly beautiful. I can definitely relate to it.

Time to slow it down a bit more.

Adam sat on a stool at the front of the stage for an acoustic "Whataya Want From Me." Adam started off by saying, sarcastically, "I think a few of you may know this next song." The crowd screamed. I do enjoy the acoustic version of this song much more than the album version, and he did do the acoustic version. The majority of the audience seemed to be singing along to this one, and it was a pretty cool sensation to hear all of those voices singing at once. (The Molson Amp seats 16,000 people, and the stadium was full.) I just kind of stared into his eyes through my camera lens during this number. Those deep, smoky, bedroom eyes. They were particularly beautiful as he sang this song. The crowd went wild as Adam pointed across the audience and sang, "But thanks for lovin' me, 'cause you're doing it perfectly." He smiled while he sang that line. It was sweet.

At the end of the song, Adam stood up and took a much-needed drink of water in preparation for the next number: "Soaked." Someone came to take the stool, and Adam stood for this one. The lighting was all blue and the spotlight was on Adam. It was very theatrical. I love "Soaked," and Adam's voice during this song is stunning. He did not disappoint me with this live version. His vocals were perfectly controlled and, truly, a thing of beauty. His vocal range during this song is just superb and really showcases his ability as a vocal artist. Adam did his usual hand gestures but kept a pained and sullen expression. A song about booze and loneliness, emotional and physical starvation, Adam seemed to feel every word he sang. His movements were minimal and that only gave you more reason to focus on the vocals. It is even more haunting live, being able to see and hear the suffering "Soaked" offers.

Adam sat on the steps for "Aftermath," offering us an acoustic version with only Monte standing close. "Heartbreak sucks," Adam started off, "But sometimes you have to lift your head up and push on through." The lyrics may be simple, but I think this song has a lot to offer message-wise. "No more hiding, don't be afraid of what's inside," the song encourages. It is about not fearing who you truly are and remembering that you are never alone in the world. Adam really captures that feeling of being kicked down and having to force yourself to move on. Adam co-wrote this song too, so it is always nice to have such a personal piece of an artist you love. The setting was very intimate and very perfect for this particular number.

Put your dancin' shoes on!

Next, after a costume change, Adam was ready to belt out the anthem tune sure to inspire fist-pumping, "Sure Fire Winners." Love this song! He was geared for Glam Rock. He wore a black shirt and pants with blue stripes and blue rhinestones. The shirt was a buttoned, sleeveless vest with a pressed collar. The tight pants had blue stripes down each side. When he turned around, he revealed a glittery "A" on the back of his vest. He paired the outfit with matching black and blue boots. He wore only a single pendant necklace now. Adam had a strong, masculine persona throughout this song, full of confidence and swagger. The song is very climactic and empowering. The audience pumped their firsts in the air at Adam's command. I could not wait to hear my favourite lines: "I was born with glitter on my face, my baby clothes made of leather and lace." (I managed to get an image of him just as he pointed to his cheek and sang "glitter on my face," above.) I waited patiently for the high note he hits in this song, and I managed to even snap another photo at just the right moment:

Another semi-costume change as "Strut" began. He was wearing the same outfit but had the most beautiful and outrageous leather jacket over it, with the collar turned up like a rock star. It had black and white stripes on some parts but then blue leather on others. It was sprinkled with rhinestones and silver studs, mostly on the arms and back.

When he turned around, I saw that it was tailed and just about knee-length.

Adam takes on a new persona: master among minions. During the opening of the song, Adam was handed a regal staff, a bit smaller than the one we see in the "For Your Entertainment" video. (It was crotch-level, if you must know. I am sure this was strategic.) He used the staff forcefully, resting on it and jerking it with his arm. He did his usual move during "get on the floor, just let it drop." The crowd screamed, as usual. The chorus approached and he did his strut for us. He continued leaning on the staff and pounded it into the stage. He then threw it on to his shoulder and marched on the spot. The dancers were on stage with him, each with a staff, jerking and swinging to the beat. He did some interesting things with that staff about half way through, including swinging it around his crotch area and then pumping it up and down in time with his hips. Woo hoo! Shortly after, he did more of his catwalk moves. It was a very powerful performance and the fact that I absolutely love the song just added to my enjoyment. (I think "Strut" is my third favourite.) Adam has described this song about being comfortable in your own skin, and although I loved it before, hearing it live made me believe in its magic even more. This song just makes you feel so good; you forget about your self-esteem issues for a few minutes and get lost in the self-empowerment of it all.

Next up was "Music Again." ABBA meets Queen. You can tell Adam loves performing this song too. It is upbeat, fast-paced and Adam is always smiling. It is certainly a happy song with a positive message. Adam did not move around the stage too much for this number, standing front and centre with the microphone. But it did not matter because he was smiling enough to turn me into a puddle on the floor. I even saw Monte bopping his head along. It is just that catchy.

Now, let me just say... "If I Had You" is one of those songs that you may not like right away, especially if you are not a fan of dance/party songs, but it grows on you. But after seeing it live, I really do love it. I am not sure what came over me, or the rest of the audience, but the adrenaline was pumping and I was dancing and singing like nobody's business. As the chorus approached, everyone started throwing their arms in the air and jumping in time with the beat--including Adam! It was apparently time for some more Tommy love (and I was not opposed):

There was synchronized dancing with his dancers, rainbow lasers, smoke and, best of all... Monte, Adam and Tommy, side-by-side at the front of the stage. I was so thankful that one of the shots I took here turned out well:

I had a sinking feeling that this was the last song, but I continued enjoying it anyway. "You guys are so cute!" Adam said with a giggle, pointing to the audience. Everyone screamed. I wish I could imitate how he said that phrase. It was so adorable, the way he said it.

After introducing us to his dancers, he ended "If I Had You" and the stage was empty. Everyone was clapping, cheering and screaming. I actually had to plug my ears at that point. I knew there had to be an encore.

It was dark, and everyone was stomping and chanting, "Ad-am! Ad-am! Ad-am!" A few minutes later, the band was back on stage and I heard the familiar, haunting melody of "Mad World."

He did the up-tempo, acoustic version of this song that he had been doing on his promotional tour. To be honest, I prefer the original version that he did on Idol but I was happy, regardless, to see him on that stage again.

Adam and the rest of the band left rather abruptly after a quick thank you, blowing a kiss and then bowing. It was only seconds later that the lights in the venue went on and back to reality it was. I pouted. I did not want it to be over.

Adam had told the Toronto Star that he "would love everyone to come away with a new appreciation for the music on [his] album." Well, Adam, you certainly succeeded. Not that I ever had the opportunity to go to a live Elvis or Queen concert, but I imagine Adam's presence on stage--his complete understanding and execution of showmanship--resembles that of Presley or Freddie Mercury. Or at least, it does from what I have seen of their live footage. To be honest, I was rarely paying attention to the dancers or any of the other stage effects. I was so focused on Adam that I forgot there were other people on the stage, at times. He really commands your attention, though not in an arrogant way. He is just so fun to watch. His colourful costumes, his passion, his immaculate vocals, the way he moves his body. He reminds me of Michael Jackson in many ways. But Adam is his own person; I suppose I cannot rightfully compare him to anyone else. I just see parts of other great performers in him sometimes. Even though I did not think it was possible, I believe I love him even more now, after seeing him live. He really proved himself as a vocalist and performer... this time, right in front of my very eyes instead of through a screen.

I only have two qualms. First of all, it was too short. This is obvious. Because this was turned into a multi-band event, Adam did not get to play a whole set and I will never forgive KISS FM for sponsoring it and adding those extra bands at the last minute. Seeing as it is his first tour and show in Toronto, they should have just had Adam performing. I am sure the show would have sold out without a problem, especially in a big city like Toronto. It was disappointing and I am sad he did not play more songs.

The second qualm is related: Adam did not play "Whole Lotta Love." I guess it is just as well because I may have fainted right then and there on the concrete floor. I have seen him perform this song on his Glam Nation tour (and previously on his media tour) and... wow. Every time I watch a video of that performance, my mouth is dry as a desert (seriously, I have trouble producing saliva for minutes on end). He did the regular version of this song on the Idol tour, but he started doing a slowed down, sultry, acoustic version of it on his media tour (and now Glam Nation). It is just sexy beyond words. I guess I will just have to continue watching the epic Fantasy Springs performance of this song. But yes, it was sad that he never played it at the show here and I feel a small pang of jealousy knowing so many others got to see it live in the US. DAMMIT.

Overall, I felt like Adam was a bit reserved. I really enjoyed the show, of course, but it definitely felt like he was honoring his promise to be "family friendly" on this tour. I am so used to Adam pushing the envelope and doing his own thing. It reminds me of when Elvis was told not to shake his hips on stage. What gives?! Let Adam be who he is! He is a sexual being and the crowd goes nuts any time he does anything remotely sexual--so just let us have our fun. I suppose this sounds like I am trying to paint him as some sexual object, but I am just saying he is a very sexual person and that was clear even on Idol at times. I love that about him. After the American Music Awards performance, Adam made comments about male sexuality being suppressed and taboo in society, and I completely agree with him. Good for Adam for being so ballsy about his own. I just have a feeling Adam was told to "tone it down" for this tour. Regardless, it was still an outstanding show. Nothing could have changed that.

My hearing returned later that evening, but I think I left my heart in the venue. It was an amazing experience, and I am happy that I had the opportunity to see Adam live. I knew it would be an unforgettable event, and I really need to be grateful that he came to Toronto and that I was able to get better tickets than I originally had. I do not think I would have enjoyed myself as much had I gone with the old tickets. Being that close made it so much better, especially for photo-taking purposes. I took 289 photos, and most of them turned out wonderfully. A lot of the ones where I zoomed in are grainy (as you can see), but they look decent when not full size. I was zoomed in 71x for a lot of them, so that was to be expected. The quality also depended on the stage lighting at the time, which was forever changing. Regardless, I am happy with my photos. With my luck, they could have all been horrible and I would have been sulking and kicking myself. But, for once, the stars were aligned and things played out in my favour.

I did take a few videos but not of full songs. They did not turn out as well. It is just as well; security was going around and making sure people were only taking photos (which, of course, is completely stupid because Adam tweets fan footage from his concerts all the time). There are not too many on YouTube from this Toronto show, but I found enough to download and have as keepsakes. I did film most of "Ring of Fire."

Thank you, Adam, for giving me this. It will go down in personal history as one of the most beautiful and memorable events in my life.

Elvis Lip Adam!

Current Mood: thankful

On my way to the Adam Lambert concert!

Apparently cameras are perfectly fine, so I will be posting pictures and video either Sunday or Monday. I meant to write another entry mentioning that we sold our crap tickets for way better seats on eBay. And by "better" I mean second-freaking-row. We are not in the mosh pit area but the rows that start on ground level are Section 200, and we are 200, Row B. I have no doubt I will have a fantastic time now. There will only be one head for me to see through. I found out that the amazing guitarist that was going to be on Michael Jackson's "This Is It" tour, Orianthi, will be there. We are arriving a bit late to skip some of the bands but I am hoping we will get there in time to see her. She is so amazing.

Crossing my fingers everything will be okay and I will have a great time.

DAY 30 - SOMETHING RANDOM

I finally get around to posting this final entry half way through May. Hah.

My something random:

SWEET, SWEET LORD!

Photos from Adam's new video. I seriously have no other words.

*drools*

Current Mood: ecstatic

Okay, so Adam Lambert tickets are secured. The seats are horrible. They have level 100, which is the pit (I am not going in that), level 200, 300 and 400. For the pre-sale, there were no level 200 seats that were coming up and I was just fuming mad. I checked later, after the tickets were purchased, and then only level 200 seats were coming up! The seats we have are level 300 in row D, which is decent for that level, but there will be a shitload of people in front of us which means I will likely not be able to see a damn thing. I have been to this venue before (I am pretty sure also section 300) to see Radiohead and had such a shitty time because I could not see the band at all. I am short and there were too many people in front of us to see a damn thing. If this concert is ruined for the same reason, I will be pissed.

The second thing... I had my best friend promise to come with me but she has bailed on me at the last minute (she told me last night she could not go because she has to work and does not want to lose the day of pay). She is a huge Adam fan but I guess not as much of a fan as I am; I would be willing to lose a day of pay and then some to see him. I am rather upset about it. I do understand not wanting to take the time off, but at the same time, this is a one-time deal and it will be a long while before there is an opportunity again. So Sean has reluctantly agreed to go if I cannot find anyone else, which is lame for him and for me. I wanted to go with someone who wanted to go, not someone I had to drag. I am just really upset over this whole thing.

The third thing... two days before this pre-sale, KISS FM radio announced it will be sponsoring this show and they have now turned it into some outdoor concert with other bands! Fuming mad at this. Fuming. There are four other bands and this automatically means Adam will not be playing a whole set. What the hell?! So now I have to sit through a bunch of bands I hate or have not heard of just to see Adam, who will now have his show cut short.

I mean, could this have gone any more WRONG? I would like to think I will just have a good time anyway, but if I cannot see a thing, what is the point? I still cannot believe Ticketmaster. I think they did that on purpose. They must have released those 200 level seats after 10:00 because there are no shortage of them now. Every time I search for "Best Available," 200 level seats come up. (Some that are 16 rows in front of what we have now.) I mean, WTF?!

I think I am just going to go back to bed. I cannot even stand to think about this anymore. I am so pissed off.

Current Mood: nauseated

DAY 11 - A RECENT PHOTO OF ME

Did you really think I was going to post a photo? You all know I do not post (recent) photos of myself online. So this is as good as it is going to get. Sorry. It was taken on March 30.

DAY 12 - SOMETHING RANDOM

Squee! Must share some more Adam goodness because concert footage was posted yesterday and I have been mulling and drooling over it ever since. (

flourishing, this YouTuber I will link to has the whole set list if you have not seen them yet! I looked at the other ones but she has the best quality.) I am going to include two videos from the show (taken at the River Rock Resort & Casino in Richmond, BC) and a song recently released with his Remixes album called "Voodoo." I cannot get enough of this song. It is just so hypnotizing. I cannot wait until he finally performs this song live.

( videos after the jump )

Current Mood: nerdy

How I Fell For Adam Lambert
A Confession by Skyler

I am coming out of the closet: I am a die-hard Adam Lambert fan (runner-up of American Idol Season 8 for those who are unfamiliar with him).

Actually, I was never 'in the closet' about it, but I have just never made any sort of announcement about it. I felt the need to, finally, and tell you why. Adam has become a hero of sorts to me. Perhaps it will inspire others to give him a listen and appreciate his vocals as much as I have. This took me many hours to write, so it is very long and I include a full album review, song-by-song. Even if you do not read this, perhaps it will get you interested in giving him a listen anyway. "That crazy bitch wrote a novel about him! I must see what the fuss is about."

I had never seen a single episode of American Idol. I honestly despise elimination shows of any kind, and the only one I ever got into was So You Think You Can Dance?. Even then, I have not watched or followed it religiously. I just find it all very silly. Anyway, after American Idol Season 8 was over, I kept hearing people say Adam Lambert was gypped, "We know who the real winner is," etc. Wait, wait, wait... a male contestant on American Idol who wears black nail polish?! This was interesting. I am certainly not opposed to listening to performers who have been on Idol if they are worth my while (though none had really been until now), so I looked into this Adam Lambert business.

As soon as I saw a picture of him, I was kind of fascinated. I suppose that is rather shallow but the man is pure eye candy. Sorry, that is just the way it is. I found someone on YouTube who had all of Adam's performance clips posted (now removed, of course) and proceeded to watch them all, in sequence, for over an hour. And that was that. I was hooked, I was in love, and I knew Adam would become part of my music library from then on. His glam rock sex appeal (appropriately nicknamed "Glambert") mixed with his incredible voice made me an instant fan. I wanted more Adam the moment I heard him. The man could sing. I cannot remember the last time I heard a set of pipes so strong, so controlled, so beautiful. His range is absolutely crazy! Hitting both high and low registers, his voice just blew me away. He could be soft and tender or loud and powerful. On American Idol, he conquered rock, soul, disco, motown, country. He conquered every genre, including genres that was certainly not his personal taste (e.g. country). From Queen to Cher, Led Zeppelin to Sammy David Jr., Aerosmith to Tears for Fears, Adam shows us his diverse music ability and creativity. (Anyone who can make me like Cher's "Believe" is a walking miracle.) He made every song his own, and soon we knew what it was to "Adam-ize" a song, giving it a bit of glitz and pizazz and putting a unique spin on an old classic. It is hard to even remember the original arrangements and performances of the songs Adam did because Adam's are just that memorable.

Each performance was sexually-charged in some way, never without the utmost passion and emotion. You could tell Adam was feeling what he was singing, never falling short of a spectacular performance and giving us a whole lot of personality, charisma and charm. As any good entertainer, he was able to magnify his personality on stage. Simon Cowell frequently made remarks about Adam being theatrical and joking about needing to "express himself more." Although they were meant to be digs, this type of dedication to the whole shebang --complete with drama--is what makes a good entertainer. After all, theatre is Adam's background. Why should he not incorporate that into his music career? Why is it bad when something is a 'little Broadway'? That is what makes him unique, his ability to meld genres. He showed us his softer side with pressed suits and slicked back hair, and he showed us his rocker-at-heart side with fingerless gloves, spikes and eye liner. Adam was a chameleon from the start, showing early signs of the ability to reinvent himself... surely a good sign for any musical career (think Madonna). He accepted any criticism with grace and a smile. In fact, even with Simon's cracks at his sexuality ('of course Adam was going to do a Donna Summers song' or a performance being 'too Rocky Horror Picture Show'), Adam never flinched and felt the need to defend himself. After his "Feeling Good" performance, Randy said "it was a little too theatrical" and Simon responded, "It's like complaining that a cow moos. That's what he is!" Sometimes, I felt like "theatrical" secretly meant "gay" to some of the judges, and that was upsetting. But again, Adam took it all in stride and never let it affect his performances. He was always the bigger person with some of these insults and generalizations. Any compliments thrown his way (and the judges had plenty every round) were accepted with a laugh or bow of the head. He was humble at all times, and he seemed genuinely grateful for all that was happening to him and all of the fans he had acquired. I never felt a sense of arrogance or that he was faking his humble attitude, no matter how much better he got, how many more fans he added to his following, or how much louder the screaming girls got.

Adam took risks from day one. He first took on one of the world's biggest and most popular rock songs. Adam first impressed the judges and fans with "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction," revealing his soon-to-be-famous high notes with some of the most powerful and immaculate vocals. The notes Adam can hit without going into falsetto (his "chest voice") are crazy, especially for a male! His range is just incredible. I have read he has hit an A5 on the finale (and possibly during "Play that Funky Music"). I have no idea how accurate it is, but I would believe it. There have been arguments about whether he is a tenor or countertenor, but some music experts have pointed toward countertenor because of the notes he can hit without falsetto. (You can listen to compilations of his Idol high notes here and here, and a video with the notes he has hit here [included below].) While his upper range is mind-blowing, his lower range is just as impressive and controlled. It gives him the ability to sing anything. His range is a rare ability, indeed. Adam is clearly a disciplined vocalist, and I am sure there is an equal amount of practice and natural talent behind it. His voice is truly his instrument in this respect; it is a tool that has been trained and chiseled into masterpiece. The best thing about Adam is that he makes it look so easy. Adam could belt it out like no other contestant. In fact, Adam can belt it out like very few artists on this earth. He was exciting, captivating, magical even. Some of his own idols--such as Freddie Mercury, David Bowie and Michael Jackson--were apparent. Adam possesses fabulous showmanship like Freddie, glamour and sex appeal like David Bowie, and carefully controlled vocals and an outrageous fashion sense like Michael Jackson. He blew me away with every single song he did. Although I did not get the full experience of Idol in terms of anticipation week to week, I was still so curious to find out what he had in store for the next performance. "Leave them wanting more" comes to mind when thinking of Adam.

Every performance was riveting, even if it was a slow ballad. Adam would have made Michael Jackson proud with his "Black or White" performance, showing us just how comfortable he is on stage and being over the top. By "Ring of Fire," I could understand the vast amount of straight female fans. Adam oozes sexuality in so many ways, but his bedroom eyes are what always seem to capture me. He communicates with his eyes while he is singing, and I find that amazing. Not many artists can do that or bother doing that. I loved what he did with "Ring of Fire" even though it was not his best-received song; it was eccentric and unusual in a very good way. Completely different from the original, he managed to make it current, fresh and above all, interesting. The way he swayed his body and ran his hand down the mic during that performance made me completely forget it was a country song! He blew me away with "Tracks of My Tears," once again showcasing his range and the ability to be tender and sweet. He got Smokey Robinson on his feet, after all. This was also the performance that Simon told Adam he had "emerged as a star."

There are very few people who would have chosen "Play that Funky Music," but Adam likes taking risks and he was praised for what he did with the song. I do not normally like disco but his performance was stellar. He stole my heart with "Mad World," one of my favourite songs to start with but his version is so hauntingly beautiful. What a chance for Adam to show just how much emotion he is capable of displaying through both physical expression and vocals. He did just as beautiful a job with "One." I adored "Born to Be Wild" and seeing his bad boy rocker side. Paula said one of the things that made him so great was that he "dared to dance in the path of greatness," and I agree. He took on some real classics that not many unestablished or established singers would risk taking on.

"If I Can't Have You" shows us just how immaculate and flawless his vocals really are. It almost made Paula cry! And then he really broke out of his shell with "Feeling Good." I feel this was the moment when Adam really started gaining confidence in his ability and performing skills. It was not necessarily my favourite performance, but there was something special about it... strutting down those steps and giving us those bedroom eyes. It is hard to choose just one, but Rock Week's "Whole Lotta Love" (mentored by Slash with Adam saying he "felt at home" working with him) was one of my top Adam performances. Wow, did he ever rock up that stage. He was energetic, sexy, cool... a true rock god. It was the first time Led Zeppelin was performed on Idol and it was the last time anyone will ever perform a Led Zeppelin song to that degree of perfection. Do not even get me started on the stripped down and acoustic version he did of "Whole Lotta Love" at his Fantasy Spring concert on February 27 (bless YouTube!). Wow. Just wow.

Adam was brave with every song choice, and he seemed to be purposely challenging himself while also risking criticism or, worse, being eliminated. I loved that about his choices week to week--how many of us can say we challenge ourselves on purpose? I love the fact that he did one of my favourite songs of all time, "Cryin'" by Aerosmith. That song brings back real memories for me. The second he started singing that song, he looked so at home. Adam has a lot of Steven Tyler in him and I would love to see him do more Aerosmith covers (as well as his own rock ballads). Simon picked an R&B classic for Adam, Sam Cooke's "A Change is Gonna Come." A combination of high and low notes, he shows us both sides to his genius and through a very powerful song considered to be an anthem for the Civil Rights Movement. Beautiful. And wow, at that finale, to share a stage with KISS! It must be such an amazing feeling, in general, to cover some really classic songs throughout the season... and be so successful with those choices.

Since his first performance, Adam stayed true to himself, who he was and what he stood for. Before and after the kissing photo leak, Adam was just himself. Not only that, but he was a man about it and owned the photos, never trying to steer the media clear of his personal life but stating that they were of him, yes, and so what? Unlike many people would have done, Adam did not make any denials and he did not make any apologies. (Besides, as Adam pointed out, was it really a shock that he was gay?) He said, "I didn't want the [gay] label to take precedence over what I was there to do." In his interview with Oprah, Adam says that the Idol publicist asked him, "Well, what do you want to do? It's up to you. We support your no matter what." I saw someone on Idol who was a bit shy but still comfortable. Despite the lack of an 'official' music career, he was seasoned and educated as a singer. As the performances went on, his confidence grew and he became even more comfortable in his own skin. He wore what he wanted, he sang what he wanted, and his input into each song he performed was apparent and creative. Adam made some really amazing and unique song choices (and yes, contestants do get to choose their own songs--they are given many options and as long as they can get permission from the artists/writers/label, the contestant is free to do that song). Adam has mentioned in interviews that Idol was surprisingly open to his wardrobe choices and creative suggestions; he said he never felt like he had to hide who he was. By the end of the show, there was full out eye liner and glitter and platform shoes. His wardrobe and amazing fashion sense, to me, was just as amazing as his vocals. Adam is as much a visual experience as he is an aural experience.

One thing I also noticed was that Adam took the time to thank the band many times for their amazing arrangements, saying it would not have been possible without their hard work. He seems to like giving credit where credit is due, and I love that.

Adam continues to surprise me, even today. I had no idea he could dance until I saw the clips of him on the Idol tour (as well as the Zodiac Show clips and infamous "Kiss and Tell" clip). What man, aside from Michael Jackson, can move his hips like that?! Hel-lo. He was so amazing on that tour and he really just came into himself and was just... Adam. I found it hilarious that fans were throwing everything from bras to dildos on stage. I understand the excitement but sex toys? Ick. I sure hope they were not used! So the man can sing, the man can dance, the man can dress, the man can do his own hair and make-up... what more could you ask for?

Adam is also an amazing conversationalist. I love him for more than his music. I am always scared, when I take a look into the more personal side of my favourite artists, that I will be disappointed. Sometimes I like to just separate the music from the person all together, to be honest. But Adam surprised me again--or rather, confirmed my hopes--and turned out to be this educated, knowledgeable person with a lot to say. It is clear he is a very intelligent man with a great, playful sense of humor. Watching some of the videos of behind-the-scenes production of the album, he has a lot of musical input and he knows what he likes. He always has suggestions on how to make things better, and if he does not like something, he speaks up. Despite being new to the industry, he still has a firm grasp on what good music should be and is just knowledge about music and music history in general. He can be articulate and he can be silly; I love that about him. He is down-to-earth and someone who would automatically calm your starstruck, should you ever meet him face-to-face.

One of the main ways Adam is proving to be genuine is his consistency; he seems to be consistent in the way he answers questions, no matter how many times he is asked them. This is fantastic and makes him that much more 'real' for me. There is no web of lies like you get with most celebrities: 'Uh, didn't she just say the opposite last week?' So I really love that about him. He really knows how to articulate himself and he is so socially comfortable with anyone and everyone. On Oprah, he spoke to her as if they were old friends. Having social issues myself and a fear of public speaking, Adam is inspiring. He is just so amazing in every interview and always comes across with social grace and an ability to tackle any question articulately.

He is so frank and honest in his interviews, and he does not seem to shy away from expressing his opinion on any subject. He has been nothing but to-the-point about his sexual orientation and has made it clear that "gay" is not all he is; he wants to be known first and foremost as an artist. He is open about his past and open about relationships. He is a very candid person and does not lack any social grace. He always seems so comfortable and unintimidated, even in front of the most famous people or prestigious events. My point is, Adam is not your typical molded music icon with people telling him how to behave, how to dress and how to act. Adam seems to be just Adam, with a sweet side and a naughty side. He shows endless appreciation for his fans and he never fails to seem genuine about the fact that they are the true reason he is where he is today. I am always excited to hear Adam speak. It is just so easy for him and he never makes a fool of himself. He is just himself, not putting on a show for anyone, plain and simple. Adam is anything but manufactured.

Of course, as soon as you sign a record contract, there are going to be restrictions. Though from the cover/sleeve images and the songs themselves, it is clear they are not trying to suppress his sexuality (gay or straight) or passion for theatrics. Usually, the music industry will abuse a female's sexuality and eliminate male sexuality. From what Adam has said in interviews, I think he had quite a bit of input on For Your Entertainment. He did some of the writing and he collaborated with some amazing artists. The album is certainly restrained in some ways, but this is Adam's debut. You are not going to start off running in the music industry; you need to prove yourself before you can have free rein. Idol was, in a sense, a platform and experience for this. Despite some of the stigma attached to the show for us more-indie-less-mainstream lovers, it served him well. He needed a way to break into the industry and found it, all the while giving people a taste of who he truly was and not a totally toned down and conservative version of himself. In other words, you have to start somewhere.

I would have liked more rock on For Your Entertainment, but again, Adam is just starting out and I hope that is in his musical future. I am not saying this because I love rock/alternative but because it seems to be Adam's comfort zone and he sounds amazing singing rock songs. But hey, if Adam prefers to sing dance and pop, I am all for that too even though I do not typically listen to those genres too often. I am an Adam fan for life and will give anything he does a listen. Whatever makes him happy. The main reason I love this album is because Adam sounds different in every single song. It is not just his range that allows him to do this but just the way he sings. He can do all sorts of things with his vocals to change it up and reinvent himself. Some songs, you can barely tell it is still Adam (e.g. mistaking him for Robbie Williams for a few lines). Normally this would be odd, but I love it in this case. It keeps things interesting and really shows you how diverse Adam is and all of the genres and types he can do. I like that some of the songs are uplifting, some of them are sad, and some of them are somewhere in between. Some music critics, like Randy Jackson, have said the album covers too many bases. Adam responds by saying the album is supposed to be eclectic because that is who he is: "I understand where he's coming from and everybody has their opinion. For me, I was just so excited that I had the opportunity to make an album that I wanted to experiment and put a lot of different colours into it. I made a conscious decision to make it eclectic because that reflects who I am as an artist. The album is like a sonic dress-up party - each track has a different color and a different vibe. If you look at my run on Idol, from week to week I changed it up a lot, in terms of going for a different sound or look. Having done that, if I'd come out with an album that was one color, I'd have been throwing away all the diversity I showed I could have" (Digital Spy interview 03/03/10). And that is exactly what I was thinking. Adam is unique and if he can cover multiple bases, why not? I love that this album offers a bit of everything. That is how I like albums to be, to showcase all of an artists talents and show me all they are interested in. Adam is a huge fan of taking the old and making it new, so why not have these 60s, 70s, 80s elements mixed into a contemporary presentation?

For someone so terrible with memorizing lyrics, I have many parts of these songs memorized already and that is a real miracle. That must say something about his music. I hope Adam is able to write more of the songs on his next album and, eventually, start producing and arranging. This album is not a really personal album (which is fine), so I would love to see more Adam next time, peer a bit deeper into his soul and experience some of his thoughts and feelings through his writing. I basically want him to spill his guts all over the place, like Rufus Wainwright or Jann Arden.

( My Full Album Review, Song-By-Song )