The major-label debut of flamboyant “American Idol” runner-up Adam Lambert is a true mixed bag. It starts off well with “Music Again” written by Justin Hawkins, formerly of The Darkness, and it echoes that band’s best, right down to the Hawkins-like stratospheric falsetto. From there, it’s pretty much downhill as Lambert delivers record company-programmed pop as so many Idol contestants have. There are good moments here and there—Lambert echoes Queen’s Freddie Mercury in “Soaked”—but too much generic songwriting and schlocky arrangements. And Lambert’s multi-octave showoff schtick gets old fast. He should break away from the AI hit factory and do a whole album with Hawkins next time.
Howard – love your reviews and agree with this one completely. My wife bought the CD and it really does smack of the conveyor-belt variety.
I’m calling for more Whitman in E-Gear!!!!!
It’s true that the album was not well-thought out. It was thrown together too quickly and did not leave room for any creativity or unique style, but Adam made it his own anyways. Understanding that once off of Idol they are rushed into the studio before ppl forget their name, I think it came out fairly well. Give Adam some time to break free of the “idol-ness” I think he’ll surprise us all.