Badlands Could Reform with Adam Lambert on Vocals

Bloody. Hell.

Last night on American Idol, resident rocker and my favorite contestant Adam Lambert performed (what I consider to be) the most unique version of Johnny Cash's "Ring of Fire" in the history of recorded music.

In short, he owned everyone. Sure, there are plenty of teenyboppers on the Internet freaking out because they didn't understand the performance or appreciate the complexity of the arrangement. The judges didn't love it, either. No matter. I'm here to tell you right now, Lambert no longer needs American Idol. In fact, it might be better if he gets voted off tonight so he can front a Metal band and save rock music.

Did I not mention it was "country night?" I reiterate: Bloody. Hell. Lambert took his country assignment and basically flipped a middle finger to the producers of AI.

In short, Lambert's voice is freaking perfect for Badlands. That is, if he wants to work with established musicians. His range is so out of this world, Adam Lambert can mop the floor with just about any Glam singer on the scene today. If you don't agree with my Badlands choice, who do you think Adam could resurrect - or save?

I swear, the prospect of his voice over top some pounding drums and a raging guitar solo gives me goosebumps.

Just to compare...here's Badlands, "High Wire."

...and in the event you've never heard Johnny Cash sing "Ring of Fire," here it is:

Comments

[don]

okay i think your headline is a bit misleading. it makes it seem as if this were something that was being considered. especially to someone like me who has absolutely no idea who he is. i'm not a fan of the show or their performers. however i will say that had to be incredably difficult to do vocally and i give him his props for doing it his way instead of trying to perform like someone he is not. i don't think i'd buy it or go see him though. just not my cup of tea.

[Heather]

Alright. I give up. I have TRIED not to like this guy, although I'm not sure why. And the first time I watched this performance I still wasn't sold. But watching it back, I get it. He has something. And I do like that he made the song his own and basically said "screw American Idol and the judges". Good for him. I am now a fan.

[Summer]

Amen is all I can say to that! Adam is totally bringing back Hair metal. Check out his performance at Zodiak on youtube! The flamboyant entertainment us hair metal freaks love! I think he sounds like Mike from Steelheart.

[Retrospect Records]

I spotted this guy right away and knew he was a miles beyond any of those other karaoke wannabes. I wish I would have found him and signed him months ago! Have you seen this guys videos on youtube?? Holy shit - this guy is a singing motherfucker and blows away 95% of anything on the radio right now. If he wins (which he should) he may change the perception of vocalists in the current music climate. I am soooo tired of bands like Lynam , Hinder , Nickelback , Daughtry , David Cook and all those one-octave range vocalists who all sound like carbon copies of each other - it's really tiresome and faceless.

Bring it on Adam - bring REAL singing back!!

[cinnamon]

Wow. Just - wow! That was pretty impressive. I don't know if the current series of AI is available this side of the Atlantic because I don't tend to pay attention to it, but I might have to check out more about this guy!

[Lucifer]

I wish X-factor could get someone like that. He did have awesome vocals, and your right I can just imagine him fronting an amazing new Glam Band.

But Simon Cowell is such a twit. SERIOUSLY.

[MotleyCrue666]

I agree. He needs to save metal. but the thong is he has to win so everyone knows him then he can rock on!

[JT]

It's funny to hear Cowell say something is "indulgent rubbish." Hello pot, meet kettle.

His voice is quite good. Not sure if Badlands is looking to reunite, though.

[Christine]

Adam's voice is freaking incredible. He's probably the best, most unique singer on American Idol; he blows them all away. And like Allyson said, he could certainly get voted off Idol tonight and most definitely have a very successful career in music. However, that was the most horrific version of Ring of Fire I've ever heard. Intriguing and different? Yes. But horrible and confusing at the same time. I'm quite certain that Johnny and June are rolling over in their graves. The only thing that saved that performance for me was his voice because you just can't deny it's power.

[gerry g]

Adam Lambert has the look, but he seems kind of suited for theatre/Broadway ... At any rate, I would be shocked if he gets voted out because I think a lot of the votes are based on the contestants' body of work and not just the song they happened to do on Tuesday ... BTW, where the heck is David Cook on the charts/radio??? I haven't heard a thing from that guy, though I've seen all of the promotion.

As for Daughtry, he has some good songs but is incredibly boring live based on the cable TV performance I suffered through. All these singers should watch the videos Allyson posts and take notes!

[kari]

DAMN! can we say ROCK STAR! I don't watch AI so thanks for this post Ally.

[Bob]

Allyson, Adam does indeed have an incredible voice with unbelievable range, but he would be so wrong for Badlands it's not funny. Badlands was bluesy, ballsy and soulful. Adam's voice is too pure and pretty for Badlands. having him sing anything that Ray Gillen sang would be an insult to the legacy of Gillen and Badlands. if The darkness ever wants to reform without Justin Hawkins, Adam would be perfect for the vocal gig.

[Fitz]

I agree with Bob , He's a good singer but no where near Ray Gillens style

[Lucifer]

Bob, the Darkness have reformed without Justin Hawkins. The bass player turned lead guitarist/singer, and they got in anew bass player, otherwise they're the same. They're called Stone Gods.

[Bob]

Lucifer, I guess what I meant was that if the members of The Darkness wanted to reform as the Darkness and do those old tunes, Adam would have the perfect voice for that. He's got range for days, but not a lot of soul -- just like Justin Hawkins.

[red6ixx]

that wasnt for my tastes.

[Kenny Crawford]

The truth is that Badlands was never that big. Adam is gonna win American Idol, or at least finish 2nd, and will have a pretty big career. He will be just like Daughtry or David Cook. Its a nice thought by why would be bury his career in a nostalgia band?

[Makel]

I love Adam and have since the first time I saw him. I hope he wins, but I don't agree with the Badlands thing. Adam could very well get voted off tonight and go form his own band or solo project or whatever he would like, and be so successful. Best of luck to Adam and I hope he wins, his voice is amazing. Even though I wasn't a huge fan of the way he did Ring of Fire, I still love his voice and think he's the most talented contestant there.

Last week for the Michael Jackson week when he did Black Or White...it was amazing! I can't find a video of the live version, which is better, but here's the studio version. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6VLatoRuCn0

[don]

if he finishes high he'll have a battle on his hands to do things his way because they have all of these people from the past put out the same boring bland crap no matter what genre it's supposed to be in (country, rock, pop). but judging the way he basically said screw you to ai i'm sure he'd stick to his guns. i'm still not gonna watch the show though i might check on his status.

[Valentine]

Hmmmm... Well, gotta say I don't watch AI anymore; I started boycotting it last year after becoming disgusted with the same old shit over and over and over again.
This guy has a... "unique" voice. He's got a lot of power and certainly has great high end range; can't say anything about his lower register though as this is the first I've heard of him. Nice look, but I'll bet the cheaper, dirtier version was cooler than the "Go to Hot Topic. NOW." look.
I have to say, though, that I'm not a big fan of the super breathy, almost tranny-sounding stuff he works.
Overall, I definately give the guy his props; I do think he'll do well on AI. God, I HOPE he doesn't win though so he can have a shot at a career instead of being stuck with the branding.
He's not the savior of this genre by any means, though... And, Allyson, sorry but I just couldn't see him fronting a band like Badlands. He doesn't impress me as overly manly.

God, what happened to men that sang with some balls?