So it's, uh, out. The cover for American Idol runner-up Adam Lambert's new album, For Your Entertainment. And it's... well, it's completely ridiculous. Which, he's arguing, is sort of the point. So OK, maybe the whole thing--the shimmery outerspace future opera it implies--is tongue-in-cheek, but it's still sort of awful, isn't it?
Lambert was not exactly my favorite contestant last season. I found his preening and huffing arrogant and self-obsessed and a bit forced, not gutsy and different like I was supposed to. And this new album cover, a David Bowie/Tina Turner in Mad Max/SilverHawks mash-up, is just more of the same. I'm not saying he should have gone for something simple and easy, but the kid was on American Idol for God's sake. He's not some mysterious Lady Gaga pulling himself out of obscurity and into weirdo pop-artiste-ville by his own spangled bootstraps. He's a product of a vast and churning and patently homogeneous TV show machine. What I'm saying is that he hasn't earned this glamorousity yet. Make some good music, prove that you can do it, and then take us on a trip to your favorite outerspace discotheque. I'll happily follow then. But first, make us like you for the right reasons.
I dunno. Maybe I just don't like him and am thus terribly, unjournalistically biased. What do you guys think about this daring album cover? Silly in a good way, or much too cocky?
Comments (72)
oooooohhh, wow. Adam Lambert is definitely a GUY. he may be gay but he is definitely not of the XX genome.I can sort of see why you might look at that picture and think he's a she. But seriously. Did you not read anything??? the article and (most of) the comments refer to Adam as "he" or "him". you either didn't read a thing, or you are very, very confused.so anyway. That cover............well, let's just say it kinda portrays why I wouldn't vote for him. that and his singing, while skilled, was really not my taste. I can respect that he has some strong vocal skills. But i'm definitely not a fan.
She's drop dead glam!! I wish I looked that good! Though I agree with another comment - isn't Adam an odd name for a lady?!?
It's insane or outrageous at all. It's to get people talking and that what he succeeded in. He has a lovely voice, but that cove to me is hideous.
Adam's cover is outrageous and glam to the max--and its supposed to be. If you were expecting him in jeans and a t-shirt, you have him confused with some of the other contestants who we've already forgotten. So, he likes a little makeup. Go for it, Adam! We have enough bland, stylishly challenged singers clogging up the Internet already.
He does seem to think very highly of himself... Althought, when you think of it, this is not HIS idea, there is an entire PR representative unit deciding these things... And they really, really missed the mark by about 25 years or so... I mean, this is so 80's glam that is get quite sickening!!!
This is probably the gayest thing I have ever seen.
whoever made that cover was veeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeery high.
Kudos for you for being the ONLY one who straight away went "this is awful" when you think so and writing it in an intelligent manner.
Great Hannah Montana Album... :P
egh ive seen worse
It definitely catches your attention though which is good advertisement.
wtf wre these ppl thinkin or him this cover is ugly wat purpose does this do lol
He totally looks like a girl,I like Adam but the album cover is very ridiculous.
he is stupid
Wow, he really gives a new meaning to the term "Tranny" or "Cross-dresser" or even, "Genderly confused".
Wow... I think you're really off the mark. I think Adam is Brilliant. You wrote about Adam being the a product of a vast and churning and patently ***geneous TV show machine, which I think is quite the contrary. Most kids go on the show without a sense of who they are and they end up defining themselves through the show (or at least what the show wants to be - so I agree there). Adam was smart, on the otherhand as he learned from his early mistakes when he went out into the industry and tried to pursue career and a contract but was shut down by the same machine that you're talking about. He didn't fit the mold. It's very rare nowadays to find anyone who doesn't fit the cookie cutter, mass produced, money making profile that music execs want. Why? Bottom line is why. They want guaranteed money. They're not much on risk takers. Adam went on the show and used Idol as a platform, spoonfeeding the public with his vocal ability and slowly brought out his persona. I think it was smart, intelligent, and a strategic move on his part. Look at Lady Gaga, she otherwise came out of obscurity with her crazy hair, outfits, and now she's cornered. After a while, people are going to get tired of the hair, outfits, etc Even now, people are questioning her real vocal ability.I don't think the public views Adam as a gimmick, I think people are genuinely accepting of his hair, clothes, because they know he can really sing.
Maybe I wrong, but even my kids said, "Daddy, he can sing but why does he dress funny" If a 8 year old can spot talent then it's pretty telling. Besides, when I think back to Idol and I recall a certain contestant that was so full of herself, because she thought she was the next best thing to slice bread... I hated her. After time has gone by, she's proved herself as a talent to be reckoned with, but she sure could of won fan's over an easier way. By the way, I still dislike her (Jennifer Hudson) but the girl can sing, no doubt.moreless
Does everybody not get it!!!!!!the cover is Adam Lambert written all over it.this is his Personality.Now i never know Adam Lambert but it does not take genious to figgure out that the guy likes to sparkle, be himself and do what he wants to do.Hes different and hes newIm just disappointed that there are stil old fashioned people out there that wont accept change. I think its beyond silly that people wont buy the album because of the cover.Adam Lamberts voice is so unique and just amazing.I think that the cover rocks!!!i got use to Adams unigue style ages ago.People its time to accept it and move on.and for gods sake get over your selves. I wish adam lambert all the luck in the world with his new album.:) and I sure am buying his album.moreless
I hate the cover.
He's so pretty, he could be a girl. Never thought I'd say that about a guy. He has a good voice though. Don't think I'd buy his album, but I respect his talent.
Like I already said I hate the cover but I didn't mind his voice...until he sang Ring of Fire. That was the point that I decided I would never pay to hear him sing again.
Like I already said I hate the cover but I didn't mind his voice...until he sang Ring of Fire. That was the point that I decided I would never pay to hear him sing again.
Like I already said I hate the cover but I didn't mind his voice...until he sang Ring of Fire. That was the point that I decided I would never pay to hear him sing again.
No reason to start out mediocre, is there? I would certainly not say he is the product of a "a vast and churning and patently ***geneous TV show machine". Rather he took exceptionally well advantage of it without losing himself in the process and starting to act and sound like everybody else.
okay so the cover is gay so is he! so whatever! i love his singing and his voice.. and thats all that matters! :)
I don't care who is he, or what his cover looks.... When I hear him sing "Mad world" I was really impressed... That guy knows how to sing.... If we judge by the cover there will be no good singers.... And yes, cover is ridiculous... And a little bit disgusting, had to say...
And yes, I will be buying his album at Best Buy!!!! I'm too anxious to wait for it to be mailed to me from Amazon.
"I dunno. Maybe I just don't like him and am thus terribly, unjournalistically biased."
Yep, you got it right. You just don't like him and you're TERRIBLY, UNJOURNALISTICALLY BIASED. You skipped something though. You should have added that you don't know anything about him either. Even a novice journalist research youtube and find that Adam has been working on his craft since he was 10 YEARS OLD!!! So where are you getting this impression that Adam just one day out of the blue decided that he would become a rockstar, take a short cut on AI? Did you know he fronted a rock band named Citizen Vein before AI?
didn't like the cover at all, but i liked his make-up :D
It...kind of scares me, honestly. It's not a an album cover I would be drawn to while browsing, but then again, he already has those legions of fans, so I suppose that doesn't much matter. Personally, he wasn't one of my favorite contestants either (I found him entertaining, but not for the right reasons). He does have potential, I guess he just doesn't have the qualities to which I'm naturally drawn.But as for the album cover...it will be interesting to see how well the album does.
Whoa! Supercheesy
Oops ... That should have read "Crawl Thru Fire" (per my comment below)
Nothing like Europe though.
Your comments have me scratching my head. The manufactured pop TV show accidentally stumbled upon someone with real talent. But you say that simply because Adam was on Idol, he should scrap his own originality and adopt the ways of the other Idol contestants instead?
Quoting you: "He's not some mysterious Lady Gaga pulling himself out of obscurity and into weirdo pop-artiste-ville by his own spangled bootstraps."
First off, while Gaga is a great performance artist, Adam is far more talented vocally. Second, have you seen any of his pre-Idol performances? Go to YouTube and check out "Craw Thru Fire" from Adam's Zodiac Show performance. He and Monte Pittman (I think it was Monte; I do know Adam co-wrote it) wrote the song, and that fantastic orgy of sight and sound was Adam's concept. (The producers had to talk him out of the flaming headdress he wanted to wear.) He is a true artist and admittedly toned it down a good bit when he competed on Idol. I don't think you're giving him the credit he deserves. As for the album cover, I dig it. It's funny and different. But I'm far more interested in the music.moreless
Very 80's and quite androgynous,but I dont care,that voice is literally more than 1 in a million,Slash was blown away by him. Its time to get more talent in the music industry and kick out all these style over substance artists.
Don't like it... It looks ridiculous, and the fact that it's suppose to be that way, doesn't make it better. But, I do like his voice and singing, so looking forward to hear his new songs!
It looks more like a mix of Europe (Rock band) and David Bowie. =)
I don't know what the big deal about this cover is. If blue isn't your favorite color just look away.
whatever it is, i will keep on listening to adam lambert... he has a great potential!
I am a straight dude and I would be lying if I'd say I don't like the cover. Clearly I can see the two faces of Adam. The left side is the glam gay guy that sings out-of-this-world and hit tunes that all current famous singers would not dare try; and the right side shows that sexy guy that can win the many hearts of women. After all, he is considered America's newest sex symbol.
It looks kinda 80's. I love it!!! And Adam is gorgeous. I'm sure all the gay guys and even some girls are drooling over him.
i think it's over the top and hilarious...yes it's campy, but Adam was leaning in that direction on American Idol as well...his fans will like it, the non-conformist gay community will appreciate it...and the straight people that voted for Kris Allen won't like or appreciate it, but who cares, they probably weren't going to buy the album in the first place
wow...actually its slightly disturbing
Now he's taking this too far...
Kinda looks a little Rihanna-ish to me.
Terribly, unjournalistically biased... yes. But that's ok - his music is not for everyone, and his style isn't either. I for one already have the album on pre-order (even from all the way over here in little ol' NZ) and can't wait to get my hands on it. So I'm terribly biased as well - just the other way around!! =)