Dear NYT Reviewer
UPDATE JUNE 26th: I cannot believe it. The New York Times printed a correction to this article. I don't know if it's because of my email or others like it, but check it out:
After Adam's first New York concert there was this review in the New York Times, which I took exception to. So I sent the author this email:
I have to wonder if we were watching the same concert, but that's not why I am writing. In your piece you wrote:
"In concert, this singer who proudly calls himself a “freak” in songs on his 2009 album “For Your Entertainment” (19/RCA) could be as daring as he chose."
I must respectfully disagree. Did you happen to see his performance at the American Music Awards last year? More to the point, did you catch the whirlwind of media that followed? Adam Lambert performed that night as he saw fit and 8 months later he is still taking questions about it. People claimed his career was over. When he fell 25K short of Hit Predictor's estimate for his album's opening week many claimed that it was his actions in that performance that cost him the sales. In America, in 2010, sure Adam can perform however he likes, just not if he wants to sell albums or get radio play.
You went on to note:
"Performers he admires, like Queen, David Bowie and Madonna, have been exploratory and sometimes transgressive; for them gender is just one category to bend."
You've listed performers with long and glorious histories. How many of them were provocateurs on their debut? How many came out of the gate bending gender and exploring at the very beginning? Music is art, but if the artist wants to eat it is also a business. Lambert has to work within that business model just like everyone else, and even more so for the very things that make him different.
The most radio friendly song on For Your Entertainment can't be released as a single because program directors won't play a song where a man sings "There he goes, my baby walks so slow." Now is not the time for exploration. Adam Lambert pushes boundaries simply by showing up. He is the first openly gay singer in America signed to a major label who was out at the time of his signing. He is already pushing the limits, showing people that gays, straights and everyone else sing the same eight notes in an octave.
Lastly, I was surprised to see you write, "Yet Mr. Lambert chose to be about as wholesome as a guy in eyeliner, leather, glitter and fingerless black gloves can be. The dancers’ choreographed embraces were heterosexual, and while his (male) bass player did kiss him during the concert, it was just a quick peck on the shoulder." Did you stay for the whole concert? I'm not sure how you missed the opening of Fever where Mr. Lambert licked across his bassist Tommy Joe Ratliff's mouth, and Mr. Ratliff opened his mouth and joined in. If you did miss it, you should Google it. There are some fantastic photographs.
I'm sorry to hear that you did not enjoy the concert. I had several friends in the audience last night and hundreds of us watching at home via cell cast and we had a great time. Art is always open to interpretation and one's own experience and I won't insult you by arguing your opinion, however when it comes to what Adam is and is not free to do on stage, I fear you live in a utopia that I can only long for. I truly hope the day comes when Adam is free to do whatever he likes on stage, I know it will be spectacular. Until then, I'll just sit back and enjoy the show.
Imagine my surprise when I got a response:
I must have been taking notes, looking down, during the "Fever" kiss. Later, during the shoulder lick, he spoke as if he was surprised by it--he said something like "My bass player just kissed my sweaty shoulder"--so I thought that was the first time.
I mentioned the AMA performance, and linked to it. That was television, which is policed by non-fans (and homophobes too, of course). But it shouldn't limit what he can do onstage in front of fans. I agree he's pushing barriers "just by showing up." But the way I see it, in the era of Lady Gaga he could easily go further. He doesn't have to be as sugary as he was. He could be a dangerous and interesting rocker, but to me the show was aiming for Broadway instead.
I do appreciate your perspective, and thanks for getting in touch.
****
I don't agree that television is policed by "non-fans" there were plenty who claimed to be fans of Adam's who went crazy after the AMAs and not in the good way. It's seemed naive to say that Adam can do whatever he wants when history proves this is not the case. Adam isn't the first of his kind - an openly gay singer signed to a major label who was out from day 1 - because it's easy and common to be a gay pop singer, and a male one at that.
After Adam's first New York concert there was this review in the New York Times, which I took exception to. So I sent the author this email:
I have to wonder if we were watching the same concert, but that's not why I am writing. In your piece you wrote:
"In concert, this singer who proudly calls himself a “freak” in songs on his 2009 album “For Your Entertainment” (19/RCA) could be as daring as he chose."
I must respectfully disagree. Did you happen to see his performance at the American Music Awards last year? More to the point, did you catch the whirlwind of media that followed? Adam Lambert performed that night as he saw fit and 8 months later he is still taking questions about it. People claimed his career was over. When he fell 25K short of Hit Predictor's estimate for his album's opening week many claimed that it was his actions in that performance that cost him the sales. In America, in 2010, sure Adam can perform however he likes, just not if he wants to sell albums or get radio play.
You went on to note:
"Performers he admires, like Queen, David Bowie and Madonna, have been exploratory and sometimes transgressive; for them gender is just one category to bend."
You've listed performers with long and glorious histories. How many of them were provocateurs on their debut? How many came out of the gate bending gender and exploring at the very beginning? Music is art, but if the artist wants to eat it is also a business. Lambert has to work within that business model just like everyone else, and even more so for the very things that make him different.
The most radio friendly song on For Your Entertainment can't be released as a single because program directors won't play a song where a man sings "There he goes, my baby walks so slow." Now is not the time for exploration. Adam Lambert pushes boundaries simply by showing up. He is the first openly gay singer in America signed to a major label who was out at the time of his signing. He is already pushing the limits, showing people that gays, straights and everyone else sing the same eight notes in an octave.
Lastly, I was surprised to see you write, "Yet Mr. Lambert chose to be about as wholesome as a guy in eyeliner, leather, glitter and fingerless black gloves can be. The dancers’ choreographed embraces were heterosexual, and while his (male) bass player did kiss him during the concert, it was just a quick peck on the shoulder." Did you stay for the whole concert? I'm not sure how you missed the opening of Fever where Mr. Lambert licked across his bassist Tommy Joe Ratliff's mouth, and Mr. Ratliff opened his mouth and joined in. If you did miss it, you should Google it. There are some fantastic photographs.
I'm sorry to hear that you did not enjoy the concert. I had several friends in the audience last night and hundreds of us watching at home via cell cast and we had a great time. Art is always open to interpretation and one's own experience and I won't insult you by arguing your opinion, however when it comes to what Adam is and is not free to do on stage, I fear you live in a utopia that I can only long for. I truly hope the day comes when Adam is free to do whatever he likes on stage, I know it will be spectacular. Until then, I'll just sit back and enjoy the show.
Imagine my surprise when I got a response:
I must have been taking notes, looking down, during the "Fever" kiss. Later, during the shoulder lick, he spoke as if he was surprised by it--he said something like "My bass player just kissed my sweaty shoulder"--so I thought that was the first time.
I mentioned the AMA performance, and linked to it. That was television, which is policed by non-fans (and homophobes too, of course). But it shouldn't limit what he can do onstage in front of fans. I agree he's pushing barriers "just by showing up." But the way I see it, in the era of Lady Gaga he could easily go further. He doesn't have to be as sugary as he was. He could be a dangerous and interesting rocker, but to me the show was aiming for Broadway instead.
I do appreciate your perspective, and thanks for getting in touch.
****
I don't agree that television is policed by "non-fans" there were plenty who claimed to be fans of Adam's who went crazy after the AMAs and not in the good way. It's seemed naive to say that Adam can do whatever he wants when history proves this is not the case. Adam isn't the first of his kind - an openly gay singer signed to a major label who was out from day 1 - because it's easy and common to be a gay pop singer, and a male one at that.