New York Daily News reviews Adam Lambert & Justin Bieber's acoustic albums
Filed Under (album news,article ) by Admin on Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Posted at : Tuesday, November 30, 2010
From Jim Farber from NYDaily News:
"Unplugged" albums work like dares: Can you strip away all the echo, overdubs, sound effects, and auto-tuners and still create something catchy and robust? Not only do the best ones achieve that, they go one step further, taking us closer to the core of the singer and the song.
Amazingly, two of the least likely modern artists to risk this stunt have just taken up the anti-electric banner: Justin Bieber and Adam Lambert.
Bieber has based almost as much of his career on the auto-tuned hooks of his voice as he has on his floppy hair. Lambert shot to fame specifically on his love for volume and overkill.
As it turns out, Bieber's ostensibly stripped album is about as acoustic as a Slayer CD. There's nearly as glossy a treatment of his voice here as in the studio. Also, the disc includes an electric bass, a full drum kit, and synths galore. They just shoved a crinkly acoustic guitar in front for show.
Bieber has been understandably defensive about the manipulation of his voice. On his last tour he performed several solo acoustic songs to argue his chops. Unfortunately, only one of those made it here ("Favorite Girl"), and it's terrific. It seems Bieber's voice has more character, and flexibility, without all the vocal helper. Too bad his peeps didn't trust that would be enough.
Lambert's "acoustic" CD makes good on the title claim as far as the instrumentation lies. But it's clear he had no intention of dialing down his vocals - a good thing. Bombast remains a virtue in Lambert's case. He's downright operatic in "Soaked" and as wild as Freddie Mercury on "Music Again." All the stripped background does is give Lambert more room to trill and soar. No wonder his acoustic disc feels electrifying.
SOURCE
NOTE: There is a poll at the source to vote!
"Unplugged" albums work like dares: Can you strip away all the echo, overdubs, sound effects, and auto-tuners and still create something catchy and robust? Not only do the best ones achieve that, they go one step further, taking us closer to the core of the singer and the song.
Amazingly, two of the least likely modern artists to risk this stunt have just taken up the anti-electric banner: Justin Bieber and Adam Lambert.
Bieber has based almost as much of his career on the auto-tuned hooks of his voice as he has on his floppy hair. Lambert shot to fame specifically on his love for volume and overkill.
As it turns out, Bieber's ostensibly stripped album is about as acoustic as a Slayer CD. There's nearly as glossy a treatment of his voice here as in the studio. Also, the disc includes an electric bass, a full drum kit, and synths galore. They just shoved a crinkly acoustic guitar in front for show.
Bieber has been understandably defensive about the manipulation of his voice. On his last tour he performed several solo acoustic songs to argue his chops. Unfortunately, only one of those made it here ("Favorite Girl"), and it's terrific. It seems Bieber's voice has more character, and flexibility, without all the vocal helper. Too bad his peeps didn't trust that would be enough.
Lambert's "acoustic" CD makes good on the title claim as far as the instrumentation lies. But it's clear he had no intention of dialing down his vocals - a good thing. Bombast remains a virtue in Lambert's case. He's downright operatic in "Soaked" and as wild as Freddie Mercury on "Music Again." All the stripped background does is give Lambert more room to trill and soar. No wonder his acoustic disc feels electrifying.
SOURCE
NOTE: There is a poll at the source to vote!
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24 comments:
Sometimes critics get it right! We'll forgive him for not recognizing Adam's incredible voice on ballads like Sleepwalker, Mad World, Broken Open, etc. I voted in poll - results: 95% say Adam's blows JB out of the water; only 4% give thumbs up to JB. Plus, Adam's IS acoustic whereas JB's is not. Thanks for posting review, 24/7.
Now if RCA would market Acoustic Live (and offer combo discount with FYE), this CD would go platinum in a couple weeks. WWFM/Berlin is beyond amazing; Adam's voice is heavenly and Monte's guitar sublime. Love to Glamberts everywhere.
I so agree. C'mon RCA, the world is waiting. That voice is definitely from heaven!!!
To be honest I will never know what or how JB's acoustic album will sound like cuz I'm not buying it... not interested. Adam will never have to worry about being compared to any artists out there because there is just "no comparison nor no contest" whatsoever‼ We've said it before again and again "Adam is on a league of his own".
Just voted & Adam's @ 95% while JB @ 3%... this says it all... No contest or No comparison‼ ☺
I don't think there is a need to compare Adam's with JB, Adam can stand by himself right now for what he has achieved so far. Still don`t know why his management won`t place the Acoustic CD in store for sale. With some promotion for the CD, It will generate mega sale through the public.
who said it won't be in stores? They are not releasing it until Dec. 6th. We just had the opportunity to be in on pre-sale.
I think the CD only available by download on itunes, . The hard copy will not be sold in store. Am I right. The hard copy would be perfect gift for Christmas.
I preordered the CD on AdamOfficial. I ordered the disc, not the download. I want that cover. It was around $8 which included shipping. There was another option to buy the CD and a poster of Adam. It was around $12.
@11:02AM Hard copy CD only avalible for pre-sale on Adam Official website. Almost all of them already were sold except less than 500 for with special add. So, hurry if you want buy it for yourself or for Christmas Gift (or both:) delilah5
Why this isnt in the stores is beyond me? Adamluv
I am sure Bieber can sell anything with the teenage and pre-teen fan base he has. Does he have the voice Adam has? Of course not, who else around today has? I anxiously await my copy and, of course, already know it will be electrifying. Everything he sings is electrifying! Duh!!! I am starting to have Adam withdrawals--what to do? what to do?
Emptiness start to invade, need Adam to fill my void. Geezzz, it's only the first day. Hopefully, I will get this EP and then the GNC DVD to survive the winter. Better go and get a job to save money to follow him next round, well may be need a few jobs to fulfill my wish.
I still hope that Adam will release single and may be have a chance to make new video. I know, it cost a lot of money to make music video, we have to agree that Adam needs to make some releases until his new CD will be ready.
delilah5
Please people you are intelligent not to compare Adam to JB my gosh!!!!! If you really a music lover you know the difference between these two. Justin Beiber is only popular with young ones who adores his personality not his voice come on.
Mostly Adam Lambert fans are passionate in music. Especially us in Asia we are very critic when it comes to voice. We are not easy to please because we are music lovers and we know who is the real deal. Poor countries are not going to spend a lot of money to go to the concert and hear like JB voice no offense but we are very critical when it comes to that. I have nothing against to that boy but let's face it he's nothing to compare to our Adam. Just take it easy guys and enjoy your everyday lives.
It's only my opinion..........
We don't have to worry. It's not even a contest at all. I have nothing against to JB.........Bless his heart and hopefully someday his voice improves.... Peace and love to everyone.
Mom from Toronto Canada
i love Adam's voive when it's just him and monte on guitar. As for justin i don't know haven't heard him without all the bells and whistle.
And then there's Rolling Stone - Page 116 of latest issue, under Top Singles - Under heading and 3 stars for Pink - Whataya Want From Me and I quote, "Pinks original recording of the hit she co-wrote for Adam Lambert reveals that Lambert's producers more or less replaced her voice with his. Lambert's desperation gives him the edge, but this would have fit well on any Pink album." by Barry Walters
That is the first mention of Adam in Rolling Stone in months and then it had to be a piece of snotty snip!! I bet if he failed miserably at something, he would be front page!!! What is wrong with them??????
Pardon me while I now go outside and SCREAM!!!
i used to be a Pink fan before Adam , now she lost me with all this rude thing and if someboby has any doubt , just listen on yt Pink version of Bohemian Rhapsody , is pathetic for my taste , is on a concert in Gremany , than listen all covers made by Adam from greatest rocks , just saying , nothing to compare , Adam is in a league of his own and has us , From WHOLE lOTTA lOVE from Idol to Purple Haze everything is improuved by him , no offense for the others.
AMELIE
coloforadam, I have cancelled my subcription to RS, which I only subscribed to due to Adams article, because as you stated they have ignored him completely. What a snarky thing to say! What happened to them? Thanks for letting us know about that quote. Disgusting! Adamluv
OT but read that there are several "I hate Justin Bieber" websites out there. I find this disgusting because if for no other reason he is still a child and I consider that a form of bullying. He did make a "It gets Better" video in which he asks people to stand up for someone they see being bullied. I appreciate him doing this. Where are all the other young male artists? Dont hear from them! BTW, guess what words all the haters use to put him down? All the vile, disgusting homophobic slurs that Adam gets on a daily basis. Just food for thought . . . And this is NOT directed at any of the comments above. Adamluv
Thanks Adamluv - just had to let off steam. I know if we complain to RS, it just adds fuel to their perception of him and us as a joke. Wish I could cancel but I paid for 2 years - will run out in June, 2011 and I'm done. Too bad - I have had a running subscription for 20 years.
@Mom from Toronto Canada. Love it "hopefully someday his voice improves":)Great comment, however, I don't think it is possible to improve Justin voice. And now when he goes through puberty (finally!) I think all hopes will be gone!
@anon 4:14pm I don't think anybody want to compare Adam & Justin. Can you compare nightingale and rooster?! Sorry, Justin's voice even not loud enough to call him rooster:)
delilah5
With a voice like Adam's, why would you ever "dial down the vocals"?? That would just be an utter waste of natural talent.
- Adam Fix
Adam Lambert has one of the best voices in the business. when is the music industry going to realize it?!!! He has proved it time and again. I don't get it! Real artists need more recognition.
@Adam Fix - totally agree with you there. I don't understand it as well.
Excuse me for being OT!
@Anon 12:09PM - IMHO Adam represents everything that is unorthodox in the music industry and he somehow poses a challenge to the status quo. It's been quite a while since the musicality in songs has been missing and i'm so excited that Adam made me want to listen to music again. It was the creative community that first recognized his enormous talent that got them all excited to be part of his debut album. They are in the know and they can pinpoint talent when they see one. As i've said before one need not be a rocket scientist to understand Adam's gift. People in the music industry are very much aware of his incredible talent but are reluctant to give him the much deserved credit for probably flimsy reasons they could come up with.
Adam values his artistic integrity now more than anything else. If Adam would just be after fame and fortune, he could have taken the easiest route and that's going mainstream. But that would go against Adam being himself. Adam wants to be recognized for his unique artistry first and foremost and curtailing his artistic freedom seems to be out of the question for now. Should he decide later on to give in to what his management wants him to do, i have no problem with that because that will make everybody happy. I just hope that would make him genuinely happy too.
He said in an interview that he studies his audience to see which style works best. I highly appreciate the fact that Adam is no one hit wonder. He is a musical genius and he will continue to experiment, improvise & use his creative juices as they keep on flowing. Adam has created the need for people to eagerly look forward to his projects and performances and i will never get tired following this consummate performance artist.
Bing
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