'joooory' date='Apr 16th 2010, 7:05 PM'
Great Review You Must Read It
http://www.examiner.com/x-43585-Entertainm...s-American-Idol
Rock god Adam Lambert schools and scorches 'American Idol'
TV Review: Adam Lambert's performance of "Whataya Want From Me" on American Idol
By Robbie Woliver
Adam Lambert, the runner-up of American Idol Season 8—and to be completely factual, the most talented and certainly most exciting contestant ever to appear on the show—returned this week to mentor this year's stable of contestants. His appearance was a major success for the struggling show, which has seen its viewership drop and has encountered much bad press of late about the very disappointing group vying for the title that even the brilliant Lambert didn't win. He garnered high ratings the same way he drew millions during his reign, but yet his appearance was a terrible blow to the show. It only further made it perfectly clear that no one this year was even near his league, except for Crystal Bowersox. No, her performance style is hardly as thrilling as Lambert's, nor is she as innovative, but she sure as hell can sing. As for the others, Lambert's advice to them before he even picked up a microphone was more exciting than their performances.
In our previous review of Lambert's mentor night, it was discussed how Adam shamed the final nine just by showing up. He was on fire, and wanted to shake some life into the group, ready to stir up a languid couple of months and some god-awful performers.
Wednesday night, as Glambert took the stage to sing, he owned the moment and performed unquestionably the best four minutes of this entire yawnfest of a season. Considering this week's theme, Lambert was the Maybelline Elvis, all eyeliner, 8-inch-high, coal-black pompadour, sharp-looking metallic jacket and a voice that could wake the dead. He was commanding, forceful, mastering every note known to man.
He was sexy. Intense. He was everything a superstar should be. He was this generation's King.
So Proud
With green lasers shooting in his direction and hypnotic green-smoke special effects, Lambert swooned through the slowed down start of "Whataya Want From Me," his current hit, and built to that familiar, dramatic crescendo that had us enthralled only a year ago. Remember this past Tuesday when Siobhan, the Adam wannabe (she's not, by far), started her "Suspicious Minds" so slow and then built the second half ending with her predictable screech? Well, that's not how Adam did it. Siobhan, take a lesson.
The song itself is wonderful. Written by Pink and Max Martin, it was released at the most opportune, though perhaps unscheduled, time for the then-fledgling star. Anticipation was high for Lambert's first live post-Idol appearance, and the American Music Awards landed the big "get." But Lambert, all wired from the pressure and excited about debuting with his new band, let loose a little too much for some, simulating S&M and sexual acts both hetero and homo during his performance, the live debut of his first single, "For Your Entertainment."
It's a shame he performed this curious song on the stodgy, irrelevant AMAs instead of, let's say, on the MTV Video Music Awards, because there that kinky performance would have been heralded. On the AMAs he was ripped apart, even though the performance was brilliant. The song is a decadent one. It was just the wrong TV audience, and he certainly lost fans. But he didn't need those who retreated. He is currently as popular as it gets in contemporary music. His large legion of fans are widespread, diverse and hopelessly devoted.
So how does someone "recover" from a perceived fatal error at one's career start? Lambert was lucky. On his new album, For Your Entertainment, there sat a beautiful ballad that dealt with peeling away perceptions and layers of fame. The battle for a performing artist between one's self and the persona on stage was the tug he was living. "Whataya Want From Me" is that song. And it worked. Not only did it race up the charts, it salvaged his almost-wasted career, redeemed him and seemed to refresh and redirect him.
Here he now back on the Idol stage, the prodigal son returned, being all rock god-y before a sea of absolutely delirious fans. (They don't even scream like that for their current eye-not-ear candy Tim Urban and Casey James.) Lambert woke the damn place up. He reminded everyone what this music reality show was supposed to be about. Where are the Kelly Clarksons? Where are the Fantasias battling the LaToya Londons and Jennifer Hudsons? Where is the pristine voice of Melinda Doolittle? Daughtry? Where is even Lilly Scott? Where is the drama? The skill? The inventiveness?
When interviewed by Ryan Seacrest after his performance, the always gracious Lambert said, "I owe this show everything." And that's true, but it works both ways. Adam brought hip cred to Idol that was desperately needed, and which was quickly lost when the less provocative Kris Allen won.
Through his triumphant battle-storm of a performance and his personable demeanor, Lambert taught a master lesson in Rockstar 101. Afterwards, the camera panned to the pathetic three up for elimination—Tim, Mike (whose constant mugging is unbearable) and Katie. The trio stood sadly, looking pathetic and defeated in their casual clothes with their slouched shoulders. Following the fiery, glammed-out Lambert, the difference in charisma and talent could not have been more obvious.
A suggestion: Crown the deserving Bowersox with the title next week and end the tired run. Simon certainly doesn't want to be there anymore. And then bring Adam on the road to select next year's contestants. Oh, and have him perform every night.
Simon's always waiting for a "moment." Well, he sure got one with Adam's thrilling, knockout performance. Lambert is one of a kind—and that's, simply, the best.
IN OTHER WORDS: Love this guy. End of story.
IDOL ELIMINATION NIGHT RATING: 1/10
ADAM'S PERFORMANCE RATING: 11/10