Last week, glam rock king Adam Lambert celebrated his 33rd birthday (the man is only getting better with age *winkwink), but the talented former American Idol contestant did not only receive gifts on his special day, he gave them away to his loyal following.
The GRAMMY-nominated pop artist announced his long-awaited third studio album will definitely be released in 2015 under the title of... The Original High, with the effort's sure-to-be epic lead single expected in April. Rejoice! Pop music is saved!
The new album, his first under his new record deal with Warner Bros. Records, will be helmed by executive producers Max Martin and Shellback, so you know Lambert is going after those dominating radio hits. I just want to hear Adam back on the radio airwaves where he rightfully belongs. The artist was an American Idol runner up, has achieved three top 40 hits, became the first openly gay artist to score a number one album with Trespassing, appeared on hit TV series Glee and began fronting legendary rock band Queen. Not too shabby. Not too shabby at all.
While the patient Glamberts are forced to wait just a little bit longer for the anticipated album, it's fun to go back and relive the journey of our Lord Lambert. Excluding the unauthorized album releases of Beg For Mercy and Take One, but including unreleased/country specific releases, here are Adam's ten best original music moments to date... in my humble opinion. This was harder than I thought!
#10. "Pop That Lock" - Trespassing
We Glamberts all immediately understood the anti-radio sound of Adam's sophomore effort, with its 80s-styled production and electronic driven beats, but for some reason "Pop That Lock" sounded like a potential pop radio smash. Am I right? Lambert's sassy, unconventional, in-your-face style was at the forefront of the catchy, gritty, runway-ready effort. The slightly dubstep breakdown, the high notes and explicit lyrics all worked together to create an entertaining number for an extremely underrated album.
#9. "Fever" - For Your Entertainment
His debut album featured two chart hits, but the over the top, rock/pop-inspired effort had many more future successes waiting in the wind. Case in point... "Fever", co-written by the always eccentric Lady Gaga. This sexual, retro/pop track featured a Lambert who wasn't afraid to discuss his sexuality to the mainstream public. Adam's vocals are on point, the songwriting is both brave and risky and that chorus just comes out of the door swinging. The only thing that could have made the song better was a guest appearance by Gaga herself. Oh what could have been!
#8. "Whataya Want From Me" - For Your Entertainment
Yes, Lambert's official second single, the P!nk-written "Whataya Want From Me", was a huge radio hit for the artist, scoring him his first and only top ten hit and a deserved GRAMMY nomination, but I'm not sure if it really is his greatest achievement. Adam's vocals are utterly captivating, adding emotional depth to the lyrics of a relationship on the verse of collapse. The iconic guitar intro, the vocal range of the artist, and the need for a radio-friendly male pop ballad at the time helped Adam shine and the track will always be his signature release.
#7. "Can't Let You Go" - For Your Entertainment (UK-only edition)
Why does the UK always get the good stuff? When Lambert's debut album was being released in the lucky country, we all found out they would be receiving a bonus ballad, the tragic yet beautiful "Can't Let You Go", and it easily becomes one of the artist's strongest creations. The soft vocals on the heartbreaking verses eventually lead up to a full, no-holds-bar performance on the chorus where Adam wails in agony when he realizes he must let his lover go. The moody ballad should have been a single, it sums up the capable, powerhouse vocalist Lambert truly is.
#6. "If I Had You" - For Your Entertainment
The Max Martin/Shellback produced "If I Had You" easily became another top 40 smash for Lambert with its glittering electro/pop beats and fun, carefree vibe fit perfectly for radio. What I absolutely loved about the track was the statement Lambert was making to the world. Yes, on the surface, it is a song about love being the only thing in the world one needs, but it's also speaking of the artist's new found star power. He has his boots strapped up, his leather on, and his perfectly applied black eyeliner... Lambert is the true male pop star we had been longing for.
#5. "Cuckoo" - Tresspassing
I love my Adam Lambert with a hint of profanity. On "Cuckoo", the artist drops the f-bomb, is supported by infectious, clap-tastic production and songwriting from the talented Bonnie McKee. The song is a mixture of different influences that actually worked well together. You have pop-styled lyrics featured a straight-jacket reference that could been viewed in only one of two ways, we have 80s-like, arena-ready production, another instrumental breakdown and a flawless, attitude-filled performance from Lambert. So much going on, but I love every single moment.
#4. "Sleepwalker" - For Your Entertainment
There's a moment of pure shock when a tense feeling sweeps over a listener when "Sleepwalker" come through the speakers. The Ryan Tedder-written power ballad was a darker moment for Lambert as he showcased impeccable emotional restraint on a track which highlighted a bittersweet message of loving someone who does not show the same feelings in return. With a captivating vocal performance and lyrical content which held a deeper meaning that most of his debut album's track list, the song should have been released as an official single. It would have been a hit.
#3. "Map" - Trespassing (UK-only version)
Another missed opportunity. Lambert's sophomore album was just released in the U.S. when news broke that the UK would get two bonus tracks, one of the being the tender love ballad "Map", written by Adam and Bonnie McKee. This time around, Lambert and his team toned down the theatrical and dramatic production in favor of a softer, simpler approach. The song carries a tranquil feel, keeping a light vibe during the verses, which eventually picks up for a memorable chorus that focuses on Lambert's effective vocals. It's a shame this one was reduced to a bonus track.
#2. "Runnin'" - Trespassing (deluxe edition)
Wow. What a song! While unfortunately reduced to a bonus track addition on the deluxe version of his sophomore album, "Runnin'" was still one of the main highlights of the entire record. Lambert's vocals come off strong and deep, a vocal style we hadn't really heard from the artist up until that point. The track is an energetic, thumping, rock-styled creation where Lambert analyzes his own life and how he handles love and affection. The song showed the artist taking his music in a more serious direction, it seemed out of place on the album, but showed promise and progression for Lambert.
#1. "Underneath" - Trespassing
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The show-stopping, powerful "Underneath" was a heart-tugging ballad featured on the second half of Lambert's second studio album and is the true definition of musical greatness. Lambert may not have been nominated for any GRAMMY awards for the album, but I feel if this epic and touching track was released as an official single, things would have been different. Looking past his sexual orientation or his eccentric style to focus on the talent presented on the song is a must. Add some sexual undertones like “such a beautiful release, you inside of me”, and you have the one song that always brings me to tears.
There you have it! Is my list on point? Did I leave out the catchy album title tracks? What about the adorable "Naked Love", the fierce "Sure Wire Winners" or the provocative "Kickin' In"? Does everyone know about "Hold On" and "Voodoo"? Should they have made the final cut? Let me know. Here's to waiting with antici....pation for album three!
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