Comments on: Glam boy’s back

By: WitchyWoman (aka 2dianic)

WitchyWoman (aka 2dianic) — Thu, 17 May 2012 14:38:41 +0000

Great review! As an obsessed Adam fan (ok, ok Glambert! Yes, Adam I understand branding, but do we have to be “Glamberts?” Really?) *ahem* As a “Glambert” I’ve read many, many reviews of Trespassing and one of the most interesting things about them is the polarization on Kickin In! For some reviewers it’s the best thing on the album. Others hate it. Beyond that song, every reviewer has a song or two that they don’t feel match the strength of the album overall. But they’re not the same songs! It really comes down to a matter of personal taste. What everybody does agree on is that it’s a terrific album!
And yes, fans, I know we’re all hyper-sensitive to mainstream publications doing a “gay review” of Adam’s album and using the opportunity to trot out every demeaning stereotype in their arsenal under the cover of being “humorous.” But as a previous poster mentioned, this is a gay publication and context matters. It’s perfectly appropriate to discuss the fact that Adam is gay here. As a feminist/lesbian activist for the past 30 years I am delighted to see the serious attention and appreciation for his art that Adam is getting from the gay community. And Community, please be aware that, as Adam’s fans who are constantly searching for information on him, we encounter a lot of ridicule and hate-speech that is directed at him by anti-gay activists. We’re very protective and may have some knee-jerk reactions, even when there is no malicious intent. Please try to understand and be somewhat tolerant if we over-react. Thank you.

By: Stasia

Stasia — Thu, 17 May 2012 03:17:28 +0000

Thank you for a terrific review. As a fan of Adam’s I would rather read an intelligent, caring analysis of Trespassing with both praise and criticisms over an empty rave designed largely to get hits from his fans. I too am loving ‘Never Close Our Eyes’ and hope it gains the audience it deserves. And while I had a similar reaction to yours to ‘Kickin In’ at first, I have to admit it has sucked me in and now it’s one of my favorite fun jams. Also, was more touched than put off by Outlaws of Law. You are right – Adam is an exciting artist and, unlike most pop stars, one sees him taking control, learning as he goes, and taking chances with an album he asked to executive produce. As always, Adam takes responsibility for his work – hits and misses – and delights in being able to create. That’s one of reasons I admire him so much.

Finally, I would like to say that as a member of the LGBT community and a diehard Lambert fan, I am disappoint to see other fans criticizing an LGBT pub for noting that in addition to being a gifted artist Adam is also a gay man. In fact, there are very few mentions of that fact in this lengthy, music-focused review. Adam often raises the issue of his sexuality himself, such as when discussing Outlaws of Love, Kickin In, Shady. The word gay is NOT a source of shame or titillation (for us at least). It is, however, a shame that some of the young people Adam hopes to inspire can now see that some of Adam’s fans are ‘sensitive’ to the word gay being used in an LGBT forum; what message do you think they take away from that?

By: scat

scat — Thu, 10 May 2012 23:19:29 +0000

Why do you feel the need to refer to him as a “gay” singer. When writing about Beyonce do you headline the article “The black singers CD”?

Do you say “Beyonce is keen showing us how black she is,” and call her “black girl” four times in one article?

No, I didn’t think so.

It’s a shame, because your review would have been more appealing if you just wrote the article without the inappropriate ”gay” references.

Each time a read an article with gay gay gay I more and more understand and feel the lyrics to Underneath.

“Everyone wants to talk about a Freak, no one wants to dig that deep.”

By: terry

terry — Thu, 10 May 2012 23:10:03 +0000

Not reading others’ comments first. I thought Mars merely provided the song, the composition, not any of the beats, music etc.

I believe you have given a fair account as this album has affected you, but many of us disagree that OOL or Nirvana are a ‘loss’ to the over all album and it’s messages. We see this as a large leap ahead for Adam and his maturity and complexity with nary a track which is throwaway.

By: Daniel

Daniel — Thu, 10 May 2012 23:07:43 +0000

Rich, thanks for one of the most informed, thoughtful and respectful reviews I’ve seen of this album! Have to admit I resisted Kickin In then it sucked me in but I still can’t hear Naked Love without thinking Kesha vid (not nec a bad thing I guess ha). Really enjoying Runnin – that was a big surprise as a bonus track and am liking Outlaws of Love &Underneath more than you do but recognize it might be a bit bathos for some. Anyway, thanks again! I’m thrilled to have Adam out there – visible from the start of his career, comfortable in his own skin, and sharing both his journey as an artist but as a confident gay man navigating a resistant industry.

By: Mika G

Mika G — Thu, 10 May 2012 22:54:12 +0000

Rich, thanks for a really thoughtful and informed reviewe of this album. Glad you comented on Runnin’ – it was a big surprise to me and a lot of people – wish it weren’t a bonus track. I LOVED your last lines

“…Lambert’s smart to take time between albums and it shows in Trespassing with major growth. This is what makes him exciting. Mistakes can be made, but he’s on the right track to really be a major influence in pop music.”
THis is is exactly the sort of insight I’m looking for in music reviewers – a tough eye (hear?) in assessing the album, but also looking at it in context of an artist’s career. I’m a big fan of Adam’s and look forward to both seeing how he changes these songs up for his great live performance and where he goes next. Again, kudos!!

By: Beauty

Beauty — Thu, 10 May 2012 22:41:31 +0000

Even though I don’t agree with the “most embarrassing track” label for “Kickin’ In” (it’s my FAVE!!!), I truly appreciate the thoughtful reviews for each track, including the bonus tracks. I only wish that a link to AdamOfficial (or some such) was provided for readers to listen to the tracks (in full) for themselves to compare your opinion against their own. All in all, great review! 3.5 Stars out of 5.0 ain’t bad!

By: Sher

Sher — Thu, 10 May 2012 22:34:54 +0000

Great review & thanks for reminding us that AFL is gay, again & again & again….

By: Holly

Holly — Thu, 10 May 2012 22:29:58 +0000

Thank you for the thoughtful review. It’s so rare to find an album like this in pop today where the songs are such a high quality that you don’t skip any or skip very few.

By: Reggie

Reggie — Thu, 10 May 2012 22:24:15 +0000

Thanks for the review. It’s interesting to see what people think of the songs, Kickin’ In seems to be quite a divider on the album. Some love, some absolutely don’t. I think the album is mostly fantastic, Adam did a very solid yet not repetitive album. I’m just a little surprised you think Outlaws of Love is a misstep. I think it’s a touching song about a struggle and how it hurts.