Snap Judgment: Adam Lambert, 'For Your Entertainment'
The first single and title track from Adam Lambert's soon-to-be-dropped debut album couldn't be more of an announcement. "For Your Entertainment" strides into the room, snaps its fingers and declares 2010 the year of Our Gorgeously Airbrushed Overlord.
With a toy whip in his hand and a glittery gleam in his eye, Glambert croons familiar phrases about making it hot, getting rough and staying in control. Scandinavian hitmaker Dr. Luke wrote and produced the track, and it has that compressed, noisy rock 'n' roll circus sound he's created for others, including Britney, Pink and that other neo-vaudevillian troublemaker, Katy Perry.
Some Glamthusiasts may bemoan the restraint (and processing) applied to the song's vocal, but Lambert is making another move in this song, one likely to become a signature. He sings with an arched eyebrow, executing a come-on that wryly takes the pffft out of itself.
As on his blockbuster-movie power ballad "Time For Miracles," Lambert practices some pop restraint at first, only really letting go at the song's three-minute mark. "Let me entertain you 'til you scream," he wails, his voice fully entering the androgynous zone. It's a game that's led from the dance floor to the bedroom: seduction as a wicked parlor trick fully enjoyed by the master and his victim, the light fantasy of dominance and submission that's a metaphor for what happens between performer and fan.
Though Madonna and Britney have both traveled this ground before, Lambert does it in a way that's very male. The song's beat is definitely contemporary, traceable to early-2000s electropop artists like Goldfrapp (thanks to critic Barry Walters for that observation) and typical of work by the aforementioned female pop stars, who push the dance floor in ways that are distinctly reminiscent of rock.
For a male artist like Lambert, the move is a resurrection -- of glam (his often-stated goal) and its later streams, New Wave and Brit-Pop. With his way of combining camp with the humor and solidity of an All-American Boy, Lambert finally might accomplish what sometimes expat Robbie Williams and Euro favorites the Scissor Sisters haven't quite yet done: inventing an American take on comfortable male androgyny.
I should qualify my point by saying, a white American take. Little Richard, Sylvester, Prince and Michael Jackson already have proved that dance music and rock can come together in a sound that has both rough edges and a certain softness, a hard thump and a high wail. Hair metal sometimes got there too, but in that world, cartoonishness or a certain fear of losing male credibility usually took over.
In recent years, mainstream rock has cultivated a masculine frown, with only a few outliers -- Of Montreal, Scissor Sisters -- treading the ground artists like T. Rex, Roxy Music and David Bowie first mapped. "For Your Entertainment" takes that lineage into today's clubs. It's deliberately light fare, but with a big sparkly ring on a slightly calloused finger; it points in a good direction.
David Bowie - "Boys Keep Swinging"
T-Rex - "20th Century Boy"
Street Life - "Roxy Music"
Oh, and at times, it really reminds me of George Michael.
-- Ann Powers
He's off to a good start.
Liked "Time For Miracles", Lovin' "For Your Entertainment." Bring on the rest of the CD, Adam.
Posted by: chickc | October 30, 2009 at 11:48 AM
Thank you for your wonderful review of Adam's first single "For Your Entertainment". As a fan from his Idol audition, I have seen a star being born and he has proven time and time again that he can sing anything and sing it very well. Adam has made me excited about music again and I can't wait to hear the rest of his songs, too.
Posted by: Amanda P. | October 30, 2009 at 11:58 AM
Superb analysis, Ann. I must say I enjoyed reading your column more than I enjoyed listening to the song itself :) That said, it's certainly a megahit in potential.
One thing I found interesting, if I may add, is the statement in the lyrics - it's a rather raunchy song, but there's also a message from Adam that he's not the "tracks of my tears" angelic voice singer America fell in love with on AI: He's here to dirty things up...
Oh, I bet you thought that I was awfully sweet
A fallen angel swept you off your feet
But I'm about to turn up the heat
I'm here for your entertainment
He's definitely made an entrance with that... :-)
Posted by: Rainstorm | October 30, 2009 at 12:12 PM
Yup...you're right on, I'm one of those "bemoaning the restraint and processing" and only liked the part you mentioned at around the 3 min. mark, when I actually recognized Adam...but this VIDEO should be a treat!! Still anxiously waiting for the rest of his album...
Posted by: YR | October 30, 2009 at 12:12 PM
Anne, I agree that Adam is taking us in a new direction. ON a gut level, this song rocks out. It won't let you sit still. I can see see people in dance clubs all over the world up and bouncing to this. The songs builds and builds until Adam has us all screaming in sheer excitement. Kudos to Dr. Luke and Claude Kelly for selling those beats. Adam Lambert is the Glittery Alien from Planet Fierce and like the Pied Piper I would follow him anywhere dancing all the way.
Posted by: Paula C | October 30, 2009 at 12:14 PM
The single has it's OWN illustrative COVER which Perez had on his blog, so you FAIL on the photo and tone of your piece. Way too much harping on the androgyny - get over it. The CORRECT photo is a great portrayal of the light hearted AND believable domination lyrics. Adam Lambert is the first person since MJ to pull this off and we love his professional and perfect personal bravery. I'm glad you saw his reference to T-Rex and were able to use it in your opinion. We cannot WAIT for the video and AMA performance.
Posted by: media bias | October 30, 2009 at 12:17 PM
Ann, as usual - excellent observations, all of them. Adam is bringing it. Can't wait to hear more. I've got a few different demo tracks posted on my blog that Adam is including on the album, if you care to listen & speculate.
Oh, also if you preorder the album at AdamOfficial.com right now, you get bonus tracks and and instant download of the FYE single.
Posted by: TheSpindleshay | October 30, 2009 at 12:31 PM
...except that Lukasz "Dr Luke" Gottwald was born in Westerly, Rhode Island. He sometimes collaborates with Max Martin and that, I guess, makes him Scandinavian?
Posted by: JG | October 30, 2009 at 12:34 PM
Ann, I could not agree more The first thing that hit my mind was sounds like George Michael so glad to know I am not nuts
Posted by: kas | October 30, 2009 at 12:43 PM
As a completely devoted fan, I am going to love everything Adam. This song still blew me away. I am listening to it now for the umpteenth time since this morning. The first few times, I had to close my office door since I was not able to stay in my seat (had to dance). Finally decided to explain my obsession to my boss. That allowed me to open the door and let everyone in the office be "entertained". Adam, you are brilliant and I see myself going out to clubs dancing for the first time in many, many years. Maybe I'll just open up a disco, would you come for my grand opening? LOVE YOU SO MUCH!!!
Posted by: Lisa | October 30, 2009 at 12:58 PM
Your description hit everything I had also deduced. This is a fun song that will be remixed for the dance floor to a 10 minute head banger. Love it - there is just no way to sit and listen to it - your @ss will be dancing in your chair.
The dominion of him over his fans is fully described in this song. I for one will follow him to the ends of the earth to see live performances. He's on fire and lights yours - I don't care what gender, what preference or what age. This man could set asbestos on fire....
Thanks for your succinct description. His fans appreciate an articulate take without too much gushing - that ain't easy to do. Kudos
Now let's go listen to it again TA
Posted by: Dragonfly194 | October 30, 2009 at 12:59 PM
Just 1 huge word: HHHHHOOOOOOOOOTTTTTTTTTTTTTT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: Devy | October 30, 2009 at 01:00 PM
Fine if you censor my comments (COWARD) but put the CORRECT PHOTO FOR THE RELEASE UP ON YOUR BLOG. Don't manipulate reality for your own purposes, hence my screen name on these things. MEDIA BIAS
The cover you are showing doesn't even EXIST until November 23rd.
Posted by: media bias | October 30, 2009 at 01:10 PM
What a song, can Lambert get any better...His Cd is going to be unbelievable, I have been tapping my feet all day long with a big smile on my face...I am impressed..
Posted by: Chris | October 30, 2009 at 01:19 PM
I can't stop singing it! And my husband hasn't complained that I've played it a hundred times today!
Posted by: Jan | October 30, 2009 at 01:23 PM
Great review. I personally love the song...I think it's great that Adam has so much versatility. He is amazing! This song will be in my head for quite awhile...
Posted by: wll4lambert | October 30, 2009 at 01:26 PM
why do comments posted here get thrown away? Why bother asking for comments if you dont really want them?
Posted by: chickc | October 30, 2009 at 01:30 PM
wow.
I thought Time for Miracles was an insipid ballard laggardly delivered.
If the rest of the album is that lame, I won't be buying one.
Posted by: bob | October 30, 2009 at 01:47 PM
Hello Ann,
I agree to you Adam have the most powerful voice in that single and I love it the song gave us to lets dance and it is so energic.
I cant wait for all his album at november 23.
Posted by: WindyAdamLambert | October 30, 2009 at 02:14 PM
After all the projected issues and controversy surrounding Adam, this song feels like such a refreshing piece of pure unadulterated fun.
Posted by: Lambosessed | October 30, 2009 at 02:23 PM
All I care about is Lambert, he rocks my world. Magnificant gutsy singer with outstanding vocal range and creativity. Wooohooo, I am lovin' it!
Posted by: ianaleah | October 30, 2009 at 04:03 PM
What was he thinking? For this cover, the correct word should be "lame", not "glam". Hopefully, the music will save this album.
Posted by: YANA | October 30, 2009 at 04:22 PM
It's very reminiscent of Sam Sparro.
Posted by: Doug Rice | October 30, 2009 at 06:00 PM
Lovely LA Times! You have accidentally embedded a YouTube video of a David Bowie guest appearence on the superb Kenny Everett Show from the late 1970s / early 80s. Leave it there guys, you are promoting two priceless Brits in one!
Posted by: Oflife | October 30, 2009 at 06:46 PM
Great summary and references. Yes it a fun pop song and great dance tune, with underlying history as you point out, a few seconds for each, anyone who knows this and is willing to really listen will catch that.
Adam has an amazing voice, no question about that. I respect his desire to use his gift, that came with much hard work, and now to be creative and challenging. He makes no pretense but he is working as an artist. Duchamp, Warhol and Michael Jackson, to name a few that have passed away, would love what he is doing. No wonder that many in the business want to work with him.
It's great to watch blazing talent expressed. I'm watching knowing I won't like all of it. I love the creative process. So go Adam.
Posted by: amuse | October 30, 2009 at 07:01 PM