Tuesday, January 05, 2010

Adam Lambert Bonus Tracks Review


Before Adam Lambert's debut album For Your Entertainment hit retailer shelves and iTunes, AdamOffical.com took pre-orders for a "special fan edition" of the CD. It included a collectible hardcover photo booklet and bonus song downloads--"For Your Entertainment" and the non-album tracks "Down the Rabbit Hole" and "Master Plan." The latter songs are currently available on iTunes, and they are not "album only."

I have a question for Adam's record company and the album's producers: Why weren't "Down the Rabbit Hole" and "Master Plan" on the album's final cut? Actually, I have another question if I'm allowed to ask: Were they even considered?

The songs are great. I think both of them are much better than a couple of the songs that did make the final cut. I'm not sure which bonus track I like better, because they each have their high points.

I know I compare a bit too much, but I must say, "Down the Rabbit Hole" (as a friend of mine from Twitter put it) is highly reminiscent of "Pretty Vegas" from the J.D. Fortune-era INXS album Switch. Lyrically and style-wise it really reminds me of the song "Devil's Party" from the same album. On a side note, J.D. Fortune was an Elvis impersonator, and many people have said Adam has a 21-st century Elvis vibe.

"Down the Rabbit Hole" is electronic, danceable club fare. I absolutely love the references to Alice in Wonderland and the use of the phrase "stripper shoes."

The other bonus track "Master Plan" has a VERY catchy chorus and a cool beat. It has an empowering and anthemic feel just like "Strut." But by no means are they the same song. I think "Master Plan" is a bit deeper and more observant.

I feel like my assessment of For Your Entertainment is more complete now that I have reviewed the bonus tracks. I think these bonus tracks help fans and critics alike see even more facets of Adam Lambert's style and talent.

I am definitely not bored with For Your Entertainment, but I am already looking forward to another release from Adam Lambert. Like a commenter on the previous review said, I am just looking forward to something that is a little less produced and a little less techno sounding.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not one of those people who hates ALL electronic music. I own all of the Queer as Folk soundtracks, which are heavily electronic. I also love most '80s New Wave and synthpop. I just think Adam Lambert's voice is entirely too good to be messed around with, and it does not deserve to be over-produced.

1 comment:

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