14 DAY TRIAL // Adam Lambert, the one-time potential American Idol winner who, to the surprise of many, came only second in the finals, is gearing up for the release of his debut studio album, the aptly called “For Your Entertainment,” which drops on November 23. According to early reviews that are now coming in, those considering making a purchase on this day would better opt for said album.
“FYE” will show, according to music critics, just what it is that has made Adam such a hit with so many fans across the world. It’s not only those impressive notes that he can reach, they say, but rather this capacity that he has of forgetting himself almost completely, allowing himself to be swept away by the music he’s singing and which, at the same time, also takes listeners into another world.
And that world is “FYE,” the most accomplished pop album of recent times, critics say. It’s campy, well-crafted, glamorous to the point of excess and, above all, tongue-in-cheek. A winner if we ever saw one. “For Your Entertainment” is also a good match for Lambert’s diva persona, while also delivering in terms of showcasing his astonishing vocals. It is, in short, an album one must listen to even if one is not necessarily a Lambert fan – however, his fanbase may have something to say against a somewhat lack of personality apparent on the material.
“‘For Your Entertainment’ is a polished affair, but stylistically, it shows Lambert running loose like a kid in a Comme des Garçons store. With the Hollywood pop A-list at his disposal, he chose to go for it all: The only names missing from his list of collaborators are those firmly in the R&B camp (wouldn’t it be great if he worked with fellow drama club type Ne-Yo?) The results on ‘FYE’ are inevitably mixed, but never a bummer; Lambert’s deft enough to avoid getting stuck in any one of the tropes he explores.” the Los Angeles Times says of the bold project that Lambert will deliver to fans in the following days.
Greg Kot of the Chicago Tribune is also enthusiastic about “FYE,” albeit he repeatedly stresses that the many collaborators on the album and the intense pressure Lambert must have been under when working on it have inevitably taken a toll on the final product. “Rob Cavallo, Dr. Luke, Ryan Tedder, Max Martin – among the most successful songwriters and producers of the decade, experts at manipulating the industry machine – keep him firmly in the middle of the road. The most exciting moments arrive when he veers off, little explosions of individuality that suggest Lambert has a lot more to give than this album and his small army of handlers will allow.” Kot writes. Still, even he admits “FYE” is a winner in the long run.
Then again, critics will always diverge on all releases no matter what. Just to be able to make an informed decision concerning Adam Lambert’s “For Your Entertainment,” please refer here, where it’s now streaming online.