What, no “Mad World”?

That is the only quibble with last night’s otherwise exhilarating Adam Lambert show at The National.

The “American Idol” also-ran turned in the kind of star-making performance that guarantees his club days are numbered. No doubt by his second or third album, he’ll be competing with his lesser-talented

Top 40 peers to fill arenas, and he already has the toughest part of that assignment – stage presence – aced.

Lambert has crafted an extraordinarily ambitious club run stuffed with lasers, scantily clad dancers, a visually appealing four-piece band and his own magnetic presence and pipes.

Throughout most of the too-brief 80-minute set, he looked like the result of an Alice Cooper and Cher mating (which is to say, fabulous) and sounded like a Broadway powerhouse.

His opening trio of songs unspooled in quick succession – “Voodoo,” “Down the Rabbit Hole” and his version of Johnny Cash’s “Ring of Fire,” as moody and ethereal as it was on his “Idol” performance and complemented onstage by red lighting and fog.

Though Lambert immediately had the stuffed-to-the-rafters sold-out crowd mesmerized with his multi-octave voice, his physical presence— glittery black top hat, snug black leather pants and bare feet, with toenails painted black – proved equally alluring.

By performing most of the songs from his debut album, “For Your Entertainment,” Lambert displayed his affection for disco pop and glam rock, as well as his natural ability to recreate it all live, with nary a note of assistance from backup singers or band members. It’s all Lambert, and it’s all a ton of fun.

He’d be a fool not to release the Lady Gaga-penned “Fever” as his next single, given the song’s club stomping catchiness. But what impresses most about this 28-year-old theater vet is his ability to go from a fiery dance number such as “Fever” or “Strut” to a power ballad such as “Sleepwalker” or a lovely acoustic version of his hit, “Whataya Want From Me,” easily maintaining control of that massive
voice.

A highlight among many came on “Soaked,” a layered pop opera on record that Lambert performed live backed only by a quiet synthesizer. His voice reached the stratosphere on some notes, and then dipped to a pretty whisper before an acapella ending that was simply chill-inducing.

“That was his moment,” a nearby fan commented – and the only argument would be that the show was filled with many such “moments.”

Though many in the devoted crowd were likely bummed over the absence of “Mad World,” his star-making performance on “Idol,” that disappointment had to be mitigated by Lambert’s other encore choice – T. Rex’s “20th Century Boy,” the perfect capper for music’s newest glam rock king.

AWESOME review! As someone who can only watch via the net (sshhh) I envy you being a spectator of this great show that Adam Lambert fans are enjoying. This review sums Adam up PERFECTLY!  Thanks again

Best review of the tour. The boy is a powerhouse AND actually, NICE too. He designed that whole show himself (with help from a chosen creative directer of course). A hard working ethic with talent running thru his veins. You nailed all the elements including choosing stellar and seasoned back up musicians (and friends). Kudos to you for the vocal analysis. Especially the transitions and power. His Messa di voce and mezza voce doesn’t exist anywhere outside of the opera world. Perhaps Celine Dion has it but I haven’t listened lately.

Well written and researched review!  Seeing Lambert live is certainly a remarkable experience.

The reason that Fever will not be released as a single (at least in the US) is that radio stations have all but refused to play the song because of Lambert’s use of a male pronoun to describe a lover (“there he goes, my baby walks so slow”). 

It’s a tragedy, because otherwise the song is a bona fide radio hit.

I love your review.  You expressed exactly the same feelings that I had after seeing Adam Lambert live.  I can’t wait to hear more from him.

Thank you for writing such a wonderful review of this incomparable showman. During his concert he is, in turns, sexy, playful, vulnerable, angelic, bold and confident. This man and this tour are not to be missed.

Thanks for the well written concise review.  Lambert has made only one album but I’m already curious what the next one will sound like.  Guy has pipes.

Melissa, fabulous review.  Spot on!!!!!!  It’s been posted on the Adam Official website where we are all raving about it with great appreciation for your praise of Adam.  Glad you had as great a time as we did all over the country.

Thank you for a very good and honest review. I have to disagree with you about him being a fool not to release Fever. I don’t know if you are aware of how hard it has been for Adam to get his music played on many radio stations. In the Norfolk area it took forever for just one station to play him. Even now they are not playing his new single. The top 40 station here has never played him at all though he recently had a sold out show here in Norfolk. Adam has done very well but he should be doing a lot better on the radio. All around the country fans are complaing because some areas won’t give him a chance. It is 2010 but he is still being denied a chance to suceed in some areas of the country and on some stations. And if some will not play WWFM or IIHY they surly will never give Fever a spin.

Great review, you get it!!! Amazing voice, amazing performer!!!  Plus he’s a great guy! 
Thanks for your on spot review!

I have the greatest respect for your writing ability i. e. this article on Adam Lambert. You definitely were on target about just about everything you mentioned. I too have seen him live back in June and WOW was it an experience to remember. His voice is “out of this world” spectacular. His stage presense is like no other. I’ve seen many famous singers live over the years but none can compare to Mr. Lambert. He hits notes that I don’t think exist. But I’d like to comment on why he didn’t sing MW. It has been sung religiously since AI and by now needs to be omitted from his song list. TCB should take the place of MW

Great review, I concur 100% on all points.  I also thing Fever was the best song from the album with total hit written all over it but apparently some discussions with radio stations leave questions about whether they would play it (lack of an S on the 2nd word of the song is the big problem which is funny given the lyrics we are forced to listen to on songs like take it off, rude boy, teenage dreams, 3, etc.) so that would be a freakin shame if that is what is stopping the release.  But anyway, yeah SOAKED??? OMG if you hear that live and are not impressed then don’t waste your money, only buy Kidz Bop from now on and forego any real music!!

the show was great, he has such magnatism, ppl are constantly blown away by him.  He played to 50,000 in canada recently, soon it will be that level everywhere, I am so glad I saw him at a smaller venue while I can

This is a fantastic review, thank you for your support of Adam, he is a superstar and your review summed his show up perfectly. Can’t want to see what is next for this amazing artist. I know I will be watching and listening. Can’t get enough Adam.

Melissa, thank you for reckognizing the star power that Adam Lambert has. I don’t want to come across as this blindly obsessed fan, but I honestly think that every other artist pales in comparison. I can think of only one other artist that may be in the same league. Adam Lambert is the complete package with extra sweet, sparkly icing on top. Charisma, check. Looks, check. Showmanship, check. Insane vocals, check. Perfect interpretation for every song in any genre, absolutely!!! I love this man.

Excellent review. Adam was on fire last night.  It was the first time I’ve seen him live and it’s difficult for me to explain just how amazing he was.  Basically, he was flawless.  He’s the only artist I’ve ever seen who actually improves with a live performance!  He hit notes that were out of the stratosphere.  Amazing That’s not even mentioning his charisma, ease on stage or dance ability.  Whatever “it” is, Adam has it in spades.  My advice to anyone who THINKS they know just how Adam Lambert sings:  check him out live first.  Trust me, you’ll reevaluate your opinion.

I was also very pleased with Allison Iraheta who is grossly underestimated.  She has one of the best current females voices out there, imo.

Why in the world is Adam doing covers at his shows.  His fans would love to hear Can’t Let You Go, TFM,  Pick U Up, Crawl Thru Fire to name a few.

Hey Melissa~~ i agree with all your adjectives describing Adam. Saw his show in cleveland and he Was as you said: “exhilarating,ambitious,chill inducing,stratosphere vocals,mesmerizing,magnetic,ethereal and i hope he release Fever soon~I think you need a Glambert#—yes-his show is “all Lambert and it’s all a ton of fun. A must see show!

Thanks Melissa for the great review! Although being somewhat of a closet Glambert, I knew it would be a good one. I don’t think the crowd was disapppointed by the lack of Mad World. Certainly no one near me, in the packed like sardines mosh pit, complained.

And I agree that his next tour will be in much bigger arenas.

If the USA and radio program managers would try being the least bit progessive “Fever’ would be a huge hit. 

Good Luck in Atlanta! We’ll miss you in RVA. Hey, you’ll get to see Adam again!!

Thank you for a GREAT review!  I can’t wait to see Adam in Houston.

Adam has consistently and systematically blown the doors off his GlamNation tour and I appreciate you noticing and writing a competent review.  Adam has mad talent and gets too little recognition for that amazing vocal magic he does. He has sold out every city he goes too and had an audiance of 50,000 in Canada earlier this month.  America wake up and realize this man has MEGA talent!

Thank you for the nice review. You are one with many others who have enjoyed and favorably reviewed Adam’s performances during his on-going first tour. I pray that Adam will not waste the big advantage he has over the many other new artists around.  His voice is one of a kind and while he can sing anything, I hope he is able to sing those that he really likes..

He is rather mesmerizing isn’t he? I went with a friend to the concert. She had no idea who Adam was except that he sung Whataya Want From Me and she loved the song. From beginning to end the audience was on their feet dancing along to the music but she stood very still. I thought “Oh, oh, she doesn’t like him”.  After the concert I asked her what she thought. She said she knew everyone was dancing along but she was afraid to move lest she missed something. She said she was mesmerized lol!

Melissa, the fact that you loved this concert makes my day!!  I thought his vocals Friday night were better than ever and he seemed to like the audience a lot!  I think he felt our love!

GREAT REVIEW. ADAM ROCKS GLAM NATION. HE HAS THE COMPLETE PACKAGE GOING ON.
VOCALS, STAGE PRESENCE, AND GORGEOUS LOOKS. HAVE BEEN TO 3 SHOWS ALREADY, 2 MORE TO GO.

Very good review, not one trying to be witty and clever while taking jabs at the entertainer,  as some do, or giving meaningless praise, but an intelligent, well written critique of Lambert’s performance. Thank-you.  It was a pleasure to read, informative, and I happen to agree.  Adam is going to be a force to be reckoned with.  Too bad about American radio.  His fans need to step up to the plate and request his songs.  Eventually, they won’t be able to ignore Adam’s growing popularity around the world.

Some of these comments people are saying here on this issue really seem to make me look at this in a whole new way. I do enjoy the responses though.

There might be legions of “classic rock” artists clogging the summer concert trail, but only a handful of them still possess a level of artistry comparable to their heyday.

Count Heart among that select collection.

On Wednesday night, sisters Ann and Nancy Wilson – both still looking fabulous at 60 and 56, respectively – bounded through an hour and 20 minute set of ‘70s and ‘80s hits sprinkled with some offerings from “Red Velvet Car,” their 13th studio album coming Aug. 31.

While the mostly middle aged Innsbrook After Hours crowd of about 4,500 roared at the first sounds of “Straight On,” visually enhanced by Nancy’s handful of scissor kicks, the low-key trio of tunes that followed firmly spotlighted the band’s musicianship.

“These Dreams” floated under Nancy’s girlish sounding voice (she’s always been the delicate foil to her sister’s iron-lunged power, but last night sounded particularly wispy), while the acoustic “Dog & Butterfly” was lovely and nostalgic.

Nancy retained lead vocal duties for the new “Hey You,” a sweet, simple ballad (“You are one of a kind/you are some kind of fine”) that fits comfortably in Heart’s oeuvre.

But when a familiar guitar strain echoed from the stage – could it be… “Gimme Shelter”? – the sense that now Heart was ready to rock kicked in.

By weaving the Rolling Stones classic throughout its own “Even It Up,” the band not only appealed to the die-hard classic rock fans that constituted most of the crowd, but allowed Ann her first moment to unleash that mighty voice.

But the spotlight on Ann’s vocal muscle came with her spin on “Alone.” Though the song was re-arranged into a subtler version minus the big drums and fist-pumping moments, Ann managed to find plenty of runs that showcased one of rock’s truest voices.

Though the set contained its share of air guitar moments (seriously, can anyone listen to the opening of “Magic Man” without pretending to strum along?), it felt too brief.

While no Heart fan will ever quibble with the inclusion of a Led Zeppelin cover – because, really, Ann Wilson and Train’s Pat Monahan are two of the only singers who have adequately emulated Robert Plant’s wail – it would have been cool to hear a few more ‘80s radio hits such as “Never,” “Who Will You Run To,” “What About Love” as well.

Actually, a live rendition of “There’s the Girl” would have made one person in the crowd very happy – but there’s no breath-holding for that one.

If you missed Heart’s Innsbrook gig, the band performs Friday at nTelos Pavilion in Portsmouth. Visit http://www.pavilionconcerts.com for ticket info.

Kendall Hambright is a bridezilla and proud of it.

The Chester resident was featured on Sunday’s WE show, “Bridezillas” and will again be spotlighted this Sunday (the show airs at 9 p.m.).

The show follows Hambright as she scrambles to put together a New Year’s Eve wedding and this weekend’s episode tracks the fallout from her bachelorette party.

Also on tap for a tantrum: Hambright’s caterer forgets to order a chocolate fountain for the reception.

If you missed last night’s Chris Isaak concert at Innsbrook’s Snagajob.com Pavilion, here’s a look at what you missed. Special thanks to Richmond radio icon Tim Timberlake for sharing his pics with us.

If you brave the heat to catch Fantasia tomorrow night at Fridays at Sunset, you might notice a camera crew floating around.

Those would be some producers from VH1, who will be on site filming the concert for the reality show “Fantasia For Real 2,” the second season of her reality show on the network which is expected to start in late fall.

The season three winner of “American Idol,” Fantasia (who does have a last name, Barrino, but has somehow already achieved solo-moniker status) has released two albums with a third, “Back to Me,” due Aug. 24.

Her current single, “Bittersweet,” is No. 10 on the Billboard R&B chart.

Tickets for tomorrow’s show at Kanawha Plaza are $30 and can be purchased at http://www.fridaysatsunset.com. at all Ticketmaster outlets, at the Landmark Theater box office or at the gate tomorrow. Gates open at 6 p.m. and The Fuzz Band opens.

Concertgoers are also encouraged to bring unopened bottles of water to combat the heat.

Just caught Pat Benatar on “The Joy Behar Show” promoting her new autobiography, “Between a Heart and a Rock Place,” and she spent a chunk of the interview talking about Richmond.

If you don’t already know the story (which is, apparently, in the book), Benatar was attending VCU when she decided to get a job as a bank teller. Her teller friends wanted to go see Liza Minnelli at the Richmond Coliseum, so Benatar tagged along and said as she was looking around the venue, she thought for the first time, “I can do this.” She also gave a shout-out to the Times-Dispatch in reference to an article she read at the time about all of the new venues opening in the Shockoe Slip area, where she eventually got her start performing with Coxon’s Army in the basement of Sam Miller’s.

Always nice to hear she hasn’t abandoned her roots in print or in TV interviews.

Things I love about the Emmy nominations:

1. Those 12 long overdue nods for “Lost,” particularly Matthew Fox’s, which has been deserved for at least the past three seasons. Also great to see Elizabeth Mitchell getting recognition – as a “guest actress” – for her beautifully nuanced performance as Juliet.

2. Practically the entire cast – at least the female element – of “The Good Wife” the best drama on TV, being nominated. There would have been a revolt (probably by more people than just me) if Julianna Margulies had been overlooked for her quietly commanding presence, but Christine Baranski AND Archie Panjabi getting recognized with supporting actress nominations is not only a surprise, but is going to make the Emmy pool with my friends impossible to handicap.

3. The always-excellent Andre Braugher representing for the low-key charmer “Men of a Certain Age.” While Ray Romano’s screwed-up divorcee is relatable and Scott Bakula’s washed-up-actor-playboy schtick teeters between amusing and irritating, it’s Braugher’s character, Owen, the happily married, beaten-down-at-work-by-his-father, who extracts our sympathy and our respect.

4. “Nurse Jackie” and its prickly star, Edie Falco, are both captivating. As much as I loved Showtime for sending the entire second season to the media for early viewing, about halfway through the DVD, I stopped myself from watching more than one episode per night because I didn’t want the show to end. By fleshing out its supporting characters this season – particularly Dr. O’Hara (Eve Best) and Zoey (Merritt Wever) – and acknowledging Jackie’s drug addiction with typically pungent humor, the show demonstrated a new fearlessness.

5. Oh, “30 Rock,” how I love thee. Was this its best season? No. Although Julianne Moore’s hilarious turn as Jack’s (Alec Baldwin) ex-girlfriend from Bah-ston almost compensated for some of the lackluster story lines (trying too desperately to find Tina Fey’s Liz Lemon a husband is getting grating). But still, “30 Rock” is a layered delight that often requires multiple viewings because of the zippy pace of its writing and jokes. Nice to see Jane Krakowski nominated again, although Jane Lynch (“Glee”) is the likely lock in the supporting actress in a comedy category.

As for the priceless Fey, I’ll let her statement about “30 Rock”’s nomination for Outstanding Comedy Series say it all:  “This is great news. We’re grateful and excited. Especially since today is the fifth anniversary of the day NBC forgot to cancel us.”

P.S. Congrats to Richmond native Vince Gilligan, creator, writer and director of “Breaking Bad.” The show won multiple Emmys its first two seasons – including two statues for leading actor in a drama for star Bryan Cranston – and is up for seven Emmys, outstanding drama series and another nod for Cranston, among them.

P.P.S. Another local congrats to former Richmonder, comedian Sara Schaefer, who is part of the producing team nominated for “The Jimmy Fallon Digital Experience.” Schaefer, whose family still lives in town, is the lead blogger for Fallon’s late-night show.

How come all Maroon 5 songs sound like Kool and the Gang? Not necessarily a bad thing…just sayin’.

‬

Oh my God. You’re right.

Does anyone really care about Maroon 5 anymore?

Song’s not bad. Adam Levine is HOT.

For about a decade starting in 1988, Awareness Art Ensemble regularly played 200-plus dates a year and evolved into a powerhouse reggae band far outside its home base of Richmond.

In the early ‘90s, AAE was a fixture at Royal Caribbean Restaurant on Harrison Street (which is now a parking lot), but the band worked tirelessly to promote its music nationally.

“A lot of people say we were instrumental in pioneering the reggae sound up and down the East Coast at the time,” said the band’s lead singer, Olamina, from his Richmond home.

Though AAE – which played the first Friday Cheers—never really broke up, it fell victim to changing lineups and changing priorities, with only occasional shows performed these days.

One of those rare performances will take place Saturday at The National, when originals Olamina, Drummie Zeb (drums), Ojulaba (keyboards) and Oginga (percussion), along with Zeb’s musical partner Ismail (who joins Zeb in his new project, Regwa) on bass, return to the stage for the first time, Olamina said, in at least a couple of years.

The singer said fans can expect “a few special guests and a dynamite show – we’re going to sing the song that AAE fans should recognize.”

Though the members of AAE keep busy with other projects – Zeb, for instance, recently toured with Kenny Chesney – their friendship has remained intact over the decades.

“We’re friends,” Olamina said. “We’re road warriors. We have to keep in touch whenever we can.”

Tickets for Saturday’s 8 p.m. show are $15 and available at The National box office, http://www.ticketmaster.com  or by calling (800) 745-3000. For more information, visit http://www.thenationalva.com.

By Wes Hester

So I was pretty sure of what this review would say before I arrived at The National last night: Against Me! should have been headlining the show, with Silversun Pickups [pictured right] opening. Not the other way around.

Sure, Silversun gets more radio play, but veteran Gainesville punks Against Me! have acquired a massive following of their own over the past decade with five albums (their latest, “White Crosses,” was released just weeks ago).

And after Against Me! performed, I was more convinced than ever they were the band to see.

Make no mistake; it was a Silversun crowd. When Against Me! took the stage — dressed all in black, covered in buttons and tattoos — they were greeted by a small crowd in front of the stage looking mildly curious (with the exception of the guy in the Against Me! T-shirt, who was super stoked).

But the band immediately set about winning the audience over with an earnest, high energy mix of old and new material. By the time they got to “Pints of Guinness Make You Strong” a few songs in, some in the crowd seemed to remember that they knew the song and loved it. Someone even tossed a beer, which seemed like the ultimate sign of approval.

And though new songs such as “I Was a Teenage Anarchist” are more anthemic and accessible than the abrasive, fast-paced sing-alongs of old, Against Me! is still very much a punk band and they were as intense as I’ve seen them, even years ago in Gainesville.

Front man Tom Gabel’s energy and passion was infectious and by the time late in the set that the band played “Baby, I’m an Anarchist” off 2002’s “Reinventing Axl Rose,” the floor was packed and the crowd was sold, even if confused as to how to react.

But as good as Against Me! gave, I was wrong to write off Silversun Pickups, which I had totally underestimated.

The L.A. group has two full length releases and a couple of singles that everyone has heard—“Lazy Eye” and “Panic Switch.” I can’t tell you why exactly, but I had heretofore dismissed the band as contrived. The cute female bass player, vocalist Brian Aubert’s serpentine voice, the heavy Smashing Pumpkins influence — something just didn’t seem right.

So when Aubert took the stage and hissed, “We are ready for the siege” from “The Royal We,” I wasn’t expecting much. But over the next hour or so, I was pleasantly surprised.

The band has a huge, impressive sound matched by its stylish, minimalist aesthetics. They played a wide open stage — no equipment in sight — with an enormous canvas backdrop that featured a well-choreographed light show during the set.

Drummer Chris Guanlao was a one-man spectacle with his snare seemingly set up taller than he is and his hair swirling against the colored backdrop. And let’s be honest, one of the best things about Silversun is Nikki Moninger, because in addition to being a great bass player, she’s also incredibly adorable.

There’s this thing she does when the band hits a peak and she does a little jump, but then looks like she feels a little embarrassed about it. I love that. And I wasn’t the only one smitten. On each of her few singing verses, the crowd went nuts, and she smiled shyly, being adorable all over again.

But I digress. It was the band’s sound — which makes perfect order out of a mess of dissonance and chaos — that was most impressive, and the big part of that is Aubert’s seemingly effortless guitar work. In fact, if I had to lodge a complaint, it’s that Silversun is almost too clean, too perfect.

And while many of their songs seem overlong on records, they’re somehow just right live, proving the band has more depth than the couple singles that have garnered them so much attention.

That said, when they finally got around late in their set to playing “Panic Switch” and closing with “Lazy Eye,” you realized why those are the songs they’re known for.
In the end, it seemed like either of the bands could have headlined the show. That and the fact that their styles are so different made it one of the better shows I’ve seen this year.

That happens to me all the time. It seems that my favorite bands remain small and cult for their entire career, so my only chance to see them in a larger venue is if they are opening for a bigger, usually newer band. But, I’m happy to be able to see the live performance any way I can.