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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.

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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.