Badlands Could Reform with Adam Lambert on Vocals
Wednesday, March 18, 2009 at 12:01AM
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:
Reader Comments (46)
But no need to worry if you are a fan he won't be going anywhere. Even if he gets voted off The Judges will use the new rule and save his behind.
Sorry, I think you're way off base. There will only ever be one Freddie Mercury; he's gone but thank God we have his legacy.
The 2000's version of Freddie Mercury? Absolutely , without any hesitation.
being a humongous fan of everything from glam, to zeppelin, to the blues, that performance was just lovely, it really showed some creative choice-making on his part. i didn't know they let people with half a brain on AI.
gosh, even the judges referenced led zep twice! wtf?! seriously!
lambert's got some talent. won't go far, won't win, but maybe'll form a band and not just be known as the AI guy.
besides the point, i would do him even tho he wouldn't find me his type :P
Before anyone says it, yes, Freddie Mercury could be very much the queen of camp but again, comparing this Adam dude to Freddie is just not even close.
And yeah, don't think for a minute that I miss the irony of all of the above being elements that added to what made metal famous.
I'm sorry, I may not have my ear to the pulse of what the record buying public is clamoring for or I might not know what's "hot" right this minute but I do know a little bit about music and theatre... And I've also seen my fair share of cabaret. This guy is nothing more than a pretty talented cabaret singer that's trying to further his career by being on American Idol... Hey, more power to him! Again, I sincerely hope he doesn't win so maybe he'll have a chance at a career.
Otherwise you'll be seeing him doing cruise ship revues within the next few years.
Pitch? Yep, great pitch. Now he just needs to learn how to write and perform songs without doing the same.thing.over.and.over.and.over...
This is NOT the new messiah nor does he have his hand over a little red button that controls the global economy... And fashion sense? Please. He looks like he's shopping out of everybody's closet, throwing everything into one big pile, and glopping on the eye liner and hair dye and calling it "his own". Wake up people, everything he's doing has been done before. Better.
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It's not surprising that the Brits are fond of him. They don't have to deal with kind of extreme-right Christian homophobia the US has, plus the fact that the UK has a long love affair with glam rockers. Adam will be huge there.
I've surfed quite a few blogs and forums and I am pleasantly surprised to see the generational celebration of Adam--all ages!
I feel a new sense of grafeful to AI--inthat they got Adam to us all. Otherwise that gorgeous talent would waste away on just the west coast. I cannot wait for his first CD. I'll wait in a line a mile long in the pouring cold rain, if I have to.
I am voting, BTW, for the first time ever!
This is something I do not think younger folks understand about us baby-boomers. We, growing up in the 60's were lots more sexually liberal than today's American culture. I have no illusions about Adam. I actually think it's part of his allure.
I played Adam's performance for my hubby. (Ring of Fire) -- that version reminded me so much of "White Rabbit" --LOL--now my hubby has fond memories of that playing in our old VW. (If you know what I mean.) My hubby will probably beat me to the music store for his first CD release!
I really do think Adam will do exceptionally well.
I'm out; I've wasted enough time on this. Every one is entitled to their opinion; I don't agree with a few voices on this board and am honestly shaking my head at some of the comments... but, well... ah, never mind.
We will never see the entire population buy any one singers' work. Nor buy plaid sofas, flowered blouses nor anchovies on pizza. The old adage --different strokes.
I can only speak for myself. I love Adam's sound. I think his range is fabulous. Pitch perfect. Some hear it as screeching--so I have read. I love his look and his dress. I note you hate it. I love it. I admire his open sexuality. To me--nothing worse than a lie. I see him as so talented, yet humble. He projects a polite and a warm personality. For me the purpose of music is to provoke emotion. I get the sexual charge Adam's music gives. Why? I'm open to it. I don't know if any of you have ever picked up body language from Simon. When he is made uncomfortable--he sips his Coke. If you have Adam's Ring of Fire on DVR--replay it. Within the first minute of Adam's performance--you gotta be hormonally dead not to realize how sexual it is. Simon is sipping. I'm comfortable with that--some just won't be.
My perspective is that of a child of the 60's. I think that shapes my taste in just about everything.
When I think of all the student loans my hubby and I had to pay back--just to get a job--and to think these ppl get paid for stupidity--well--Grr!
Hubby is an auto insurance appraiser--don't you wanna know that he knows a rocker panel from a bumper? I'm a dental hygienist--don't you wanna know I know how to use that scaler in my hand? Is it too much to expect that if you get paid for something--it really is something you should get paid for?