E! News interviewed Adam Lambert and Lady Gaga producer, RedOne, while they were busy working in the studio on Adam’s upcoming post-Idol debut.
“Look, I’m in the studio with this guyà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬’ a wizard,” said Adam, “And I’m getting to make an album. I mean, that’s why I entered the show. I wanted an opportunity like this and I’m getting it.”
RedOne couldn’t wait to work with Adam.
“Before the finals or anything, I called the label,” RedOne told E! News. “I was like, if that guy wins, I gotta work with him. And if he doesn’t win, I gotta work with him.”
Describing his album, Adam says, “it’s a little bit of everything the vibe is going to be rock at the center of it, but in a pop fashion, with lots of hooks…lots of beats…with electronic production…it’s going to sound modern, but nod to the 70′ and 60’s…and 80s rock feel…”
“It’s going to be crazy,” says RedOne, “It’s going to shock the world.”
Plus, Adam talks about his recent meeting with one of his idols, Madonna, “She gave me some advice on how to deal with the fame and the craziness. She said, ‘You know, just keep your eye on the prize. Remember what it is that you want to accomplish. And try to ignore all the other crap.’”
Anya…and after Adam’s “Tracks of my Tears” which came first in the competition, before ‘Ain’t No Sunshine”, Kara’s words were “One of the best of the night. You showed true artistry.”
Also, if you read any of the comcast chat with Adam, (which I guess you probably didn’t) this is what he had to say about the “electronic” elements of his future music: “The electronic element is mainly for the instrumentation, it has very little to do with the vocals. You can play an acoustic bass, an electric bass or a synth bass. It’s all bass. It just has to do with the sonic aesthetic. The vocals will remain very true to the kind of vocals you heard on Idol, with added layers and harmonies. There’ll be a lot more depth.”
There’s no way one of the hottest producers currently is calling to work with you is a bad thing… lol This is VERY good! And a HUGE compliament to Adam, that RedOne actively seeked him out. I know that would mean a lot to me as an artist.
I agree unique28v, that was definitely a great compliment to Adam and his talent.
I have followed the show for quite some time, and was really into last season (barely posted though as I never really get into contestants) and as someone who didn’t really have a favorite, I chose Cook to win the whole thing after he sang “Hello” on Top 20 Night. I think Billie Jean sealed it though. I find Nigel quite easy to read and can pretty much guess who wins on SYTCD and AI (when he was there) quite early on. He’s a master manipulator, but in a way I totally fangirl. I don’t know, it’s just from my observations of fans and message boards, but I sensed Cook would win and he had quite a wide appeal to the watchers.
Thanks, Bootstar, for the information regarding Better Than Ezra. I seriously had no idea they were still around. Granted, I was a tween myself when “Good” came out so I mainly know it from the radio and MTV.
saga: Yes and no. Muse get a lot of radio play where I live and are rather popular among teens (I think the Twilight boost helped as well) and can sell out rather large venues live. I don’t know what there overall sales are in the US, but they are massive in a lot of countries worldwide. They aren’t the type of band to get a lot of mainstream press, but they aren’t underground or anything. And mainstream can have an edge.
Having said that, I don’t think Adam will sound like Muse, even if his album is awesome. I still feel he will be a lot poppier than them (I think Muse are more like a revival of prog-rock than dance-rock, even though you can easily dance to their latest album), even if he ends up being quite rock-oriented. However, I do see them marketing Adam as being edgy, more so than most previous AI contestants. Maybe he will be Lord GaGa of the Muse.
Thanks for posting that. It’s really sweet. I wish AI would release a single of Adam and Kris singing that song (not sure what it is called). But they sound awesome together.
Agreed (and I LOVED that long note in “Feelin’ Good” during the live performance. Perfection, for me). The voice, when it comes from someone with very strong technical ‘chops’, can (and should) be considered an instrument. I mean, opera singers don’t usually play instruments, do they – and yet, I don’t think they could be considered merely “performers”.
I do have a slight problem with the label “musician” (in general) though. If I call someone a musician, I am referring to their ability to play musical instruments (piano, guitar, drums, what have you). If I call them a singer I am obviously referring to their voice. I will say “He/she’s a great musician but is definitely not a singer”, for example. But then, I am a very literal and “by the book” type person. I do not agree with the opinion that Adam is not a musician soley because I’m pretty sure those who say this are not even talking about his voice – they’re just simply criticizing the fact that he doesn’t play any instruments (Adam himself has disagreed with that statement, saying that his voice IS his instrument). I think I just contradicted myself, but I’m tired and hungry and am not able at this moment to properly explain what the hell I’m talking about, lol!
:wacko_tb:
My personal nickname for him is the Cosmic Alchemist. It’s ‘out there’ (no pun intended, lol), but it works for me! :smoke_tb:
Anastasia72071, I just want him to be edgy in a way I like! Not too many istruments at once, not too much backing vocals, a killing baseline or some really nice drums. I would love for him to work with Missy Elliot, not because I like dance music so much but she just doesn’t settle for safe and she does so many interesting rythmic things. I don’t mind electronic, the feeling good track is killing and I play it over and over again when I am driving. Maybe I just don’t like pop… (when I think about I never listen to pop…)
CindyM “if you read any of the comcast chat with Adam, (which I guess you probably didnà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t) this is what he had to say about the à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“electronicà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ elements of his future music: à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“The electronic element is mainly for the instrumentation, it has very little to do with the vocals. ”
No, I didn’t read this. All I say is I hope that’s it’s true otherwise it’s not gonna be my kind of music. The electronic instrumentation tends to obscure the vocal but Adam’s vocal is good unlike other singers in that genre.
I just hope there is some variety on the album because I’m not really fond of electro-pop. Prefer some of the sweeter stuff he has done on utube and I’m sure that I’m not the only one. More song and less noise, because I want to hear him sing. I will always buy his first album but the second one will depend on what is on it.
Oh I totally agree with you – one million percent! I absolutely love Adam’s voice and I want to actually be able to *hear* it and all its lovely nuances. A little electronica in the background can be cool, but too much and he’ll sound like an autotuned robot. Just say ‘no’ to Mr. Roboto, Adam!
I don’t think there’s any reason to worry. Electronica in the background doesn’t have anything to do with autotuning or changing the voice. In the end, I think it’s up to mixing. I’ve heard many records with traditional instruments totally overpowering the vocals, but since Adam is a solo act (and his voice is his trademark) I don’t think that will happen. I doubt they’ll process his voice much either since he doesn’t need it. Just as Adam said, the instrumentation and the vocals are separate matters.
I agree. Bands that Adam mentioned, like The Faint, go for the electronic sound on the vocals for effect and to have it blend into the music more. I don’t see Adam doing that and he stated he isn’t going to do that. Not all electronic-sounding music has vocals that get overshadowed by the music, especially if the singer is highlighted (Garbage’s Version 2.0 is an example of really electronic sounding rock that focused on the singer; Shirley had her voice layered at times though, which Adam has said he is doing).
Another example of a powerful voice not getting drowned out by the music is Dave Gahn of Depeche Mode. His voice (especially live) soars above the electronics, the electric guitar and the drums.
Lady Gaga wasn’t mainstream in North America until her song Just Dance was performed on SYTYCD Canada last year after that her music took off. Not saying this will happen to Adam but they do have the same producer.
Perhaps, but it can very easily be argued that fans see what they want to see. Having songs out for an entire season didn’t stop Cook from selling nearly a million downloads immediately post-win (with the four most recent offerings being the top 4 on itunes) and he didn’t have half of the hype that Adam has. Hype does not always equal sales. In fact, it rarely does. Given the hype that AI and the media showered on Adam, he is the best AI contestant ever and should therefore have the best album with the biggest sales and the best singles with the most airplay. OK, then, ain’t gonna happen.
Well, that is a special place because according to the allaccess radio charts, Muse, unfortunately, doesn’t get a lot (or a little) of airplay anywhere.
If you are familiar with RedOne’s work, you should know that there is no saying “no” to Mr. Roboto with him. However, he is only producing a portion of the album. So, it is hard to say what other producers may bring to the table. Of course, I seriously can’t stand it when the rushed Idol albums have more than one producer. It definitely lends itself to a lack of cohesiveness, which can be either eclectic and interesting (see “Breakaway” by Kelly) but is more likely to be a hot mess (see: Katharine, Bo, Blake, etc.). And the most important thing is appealing to the mainstream outside of the existing fanbase. Just having his name on something will not sell it. Now, I have seen some fans saying they won’t buy “Want” because “it isn’t Adam” (it is, but OK) and I have seen some saying that they want it to be a hit. Whatever the case, the song is at….#231 on itunes…..not setting the world on fire by any means.
Hellothere, a whole lot of singers and bands didn’t do what Cook did (obviously, no one other than the Beatles), and yet went on to have a lot of success–much more than he has had (though he’s done nicely). Selling well on itunes is a good sign, but it’s not a perfect or even great indicator of success in the real world. Adam, and even Kris, are not your normal AI contestants, so we’ll have to see how they do in the real world.
onherthize, do you have the original source for this quote from Adam’s Dad? Thanks!