REVIEW: Adam Lambert – Trespassing

Artist: Adam Lambert
Album: Trespassing
Genre: Pop
Label: RCA

Adam Lambert is one of the few artists who make reality talent shows seem worthwhile. In a sea of indentical, fleeting wannabes, he stood out even during his American Idol days as a talented and provocative artist and extravagant showman. This diligence and glamour has seeped into his music, which often represents the very best medley of his influences and which, more than anything, captures an infectious and jovial sense of fun. It is pop music and unashamedly so, but it’s sophisticated pop music – lavish, thoughtful, sublimely executed, with exquisite attention to detail.

Lambert’s phenomenal vocals in the past are, as always, the driving force behind this album. Trespassing is his second full-length release following 2009’s For Your Entertainment and sources inspiration from 90s music, disco, electronica, and even a little bit of dubstep (enough to provoke but not to destroy). It’s a consuming mixture of songs, all bright sparks and theatrical flourishes designed with maximum visual and aural stimulation in mind. Lambert’s range allows him to dominate no matter what the song style – his voice an energetic thrust for the flamboyant tracks and a solid, powerful fulcrum for the slower songs. Indeed, it is marvellous to hear how he can take tricks and styles familiar to all in the trade and twist them so rambunctiously to fit his vision. Lambert is a showman above all else, and he provides a sumptuous, all-engrossing experience to go with his stunning voice.

The album’s title track is the opener. “Trespassing” is a really fun, vibrant, intoxicating pop track with enough offerings from various genres to transcend genre. It’s rhythmic and compelling, with Lambert’s starry and charismatic vocals bringing more life than anything else going on behind him. “Shady” is terrific, an easy throwback to the funk-infused tracks of the Seventies. The opening is deadpan but intense, with a smooth bass line and exhilarated vocal refrains. As the song progresses, it takes on a classical twist in the form of strings and layered voice harmonies, creating a rich and compelling pop tapestry. “Never Close Our Eyes” comes from a more thoughtful place, but dresses itself in such stylised, gaudy disco beats that you’d hardly notice. Bruno Mars was involved in putting this together, and such is evident in the soulful, considered vocal line, which adds an earthy gravitas to the biting rhythms of the chorus.

The unabashed swagger of “Kickin’ In” is a fine throwback to Michael Jackson, while “Naked Love” is of a more organic persuasion. It feels like a 90s throwback in many ways, with drums rolls and sugary vocals. By Lambert’s standards, it is perhaps a little underplayed or safe, but there’s a flavour of gentle, spirited cheer that makes it refreshing. “Pop That Lock” pares up again, with an eager charge ingrained into its beat from the outset. The chorus isn’t quite as riveting as I’d like, but it is a mark of how meticulous Lambert’s songs usually are that this seems almost underdressed. “Better Than I Know Myself” is a grower. It seems quite distilled at the outset, but builds into a sweeping chorus involving truly astounding vocal heights. The song itself is rather simple and yet it’s uncannily catchy. The sensitivity of the words peters through the polished production, making for an oddly heartfelt track in tremulous clothing.

“Broken English” is tremendous. It’s sophisticated and mysterious, downplaying the vivacious music and using only hints of percussion and backing vocals to create something pervasive. The understated intensity is striking, as it creates an air of intrigue and adventure. “Underneath” is broad and evocative, with Lambert’s voice shining in the minimalist setting. It’s quite ambitious in scope and creates an atmospheric, almost cinematic sound. It feels brooding and nebulous, but this deadened poignancy is brought vividly to life by the power in his voice. “Outlaws of Love” comes from a similar place, but it’s much barer in sound. He sings openly, with no embellishment, with a cold and emotive stance. It almost seems ghostly after all the colour that’s underpinned the album, but it’s a stark and gorgeous reminder of the pure electric talent at the heart of the record.

Trespassing is easily the most enjoyable pop album yet this year. It’s a welcome injection of life and stunning artistic achievement for a sterile scene, from a visionary performer who ought to be celebrated.

Rating: 9/10
Review written by Grace Duffy

James Shotwell
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74 Responses to “REVIEW: Adam Lambert – Trespassing”

  1. Jennifer says:

    Fantastic review. Very detailed and great to read. 

  2. TATTOOJO says:

    great to see a review that talks about the music, and a person that also get’s it as we do. Well done.

  3. Jimlynnj says:

    Thank you for taking the time to really get into the album.  There are three bonus tracks on the Deluxe CD, Runnin, Take Back, and Nirvana.  Make sure to listen to them, because I guarantee you’ll be surprised  that these are bonus tracks.  Runnin is a hands down favorite. 

  4. Grace says:

     It’s not a hard album to get into at all, it’s so good! I have the deluxe tracks too, but I don’t discuss them here as they aren’t on the standard release. I agree, Running is brilliant, but Nirvana really stood out for me too. :)

    Thanks for the feedback!

  5. Dragonoids says:

    Fantastic review! Have listened to the entire album, including the bonus tracks, and it is absolutely well done! 2 more days!

  6. Gswaerfdsfg843 says:

    What about “Cuckoo”?

  7. Marian says:

    Thank you for this insightful and complete review of Adam’s new album.  Adam is long overdue to take his place at the top of the pop/rock charts and his fandom hopes and prays that Trespassing is the catapult into the elite echelon of pop/rock music.  Everything about his new album screams careful creative genius.  If you get a chance, listen to the three bonus tracks.  Runnin is my favorite and showcases Adam’s superb vocals and performance skills.  Even though its a bonus, I believe that it should be a chart topper if released.  Please RCA and Adam, make it so!!! 

  8. Ralph Rodriguez3 says:

    thanks…Adams is going to the TOP…

  9. shelby44 says:

    This is the best review of Trespassing I have read! Thank for such a thoughtful and beautifully descriptive review!  You are right, he is a visionary performer. I believe he is a game-changer in the pop music world, hell in the music world in general! TRESPASSING 2012!!  

  10. Barb says:

    I agree with everything you have said. Underneath gets to me like no other. Naked Love is fun and fabulous! I love them all and after listening to the stream 4 times I can’t get them out of my mind and heart. Thankyou Adam!

  11. I truly wish that the Bonus Tracks had been included in the Standard release..all excellent tracks..and I especially love Runnin’ and Nirvana..as they stand out for me as well. I think it would be okay to review them as well ; )), as other reviewers have done so. I am sincerely hoping as many people as possible will purchase the Deluxe CD as I honestly feel the album is not quite complete without them.. Runnin’ is such a strong track and seems like it would be an excellent future single, although I have no clue as to how that choice will be made, with so many single-worthy tracks on the album!  Nirvana absolutely completes the album, literally taking us to that “higher plane” that we finally reach, along with Adam, at the end of his, and our, journey through his heart, his soul, and his life in the past few years. Thank you for your thoughtful and in depth review and analysis of the album. @glitzylady:twitter 

  12. Kerry Kolsch says:

    Did not mean to double post!

    Not only
    is the album a vocal masterpiece it is also great fun. Many fans expressed
    themselves on the Glam Nation tour with glitter and glam. No we are paying
    homage to Trespassing! Even my cow
    Sparkle wanted to join the celebration of Adam’s new album.

    Check out a real sparkle cow!
    http://twitpic.com/9kbgbc

  13. Kerry Kolsch says:

    Not only
    is the album a vocal masterpiece it is also great fun. Many fans expressed
    themselves on the Glam Nation tour with glitter and glam. Now we are paying
    homage to Trespassing! Even my cow
    Sparkle wanted to join the celebration of Adam’s new album. Check out a real sparkle cow!
    http://twitpic.com/9kbgbc
     

  14. lovetheusa1776 says:

    After coming off a vile review from EW, which was less about the music than the man himself, it almost makes me cry to read this.  A visionary performer – yes – can’t thank you enough.

  15. Wow, great in depth review! Love your descriptions of the songs, you’ve captured them with perfection. I liked Adam’s first album a lot, it was like a really fun mix CD of cool songs, all with that crazy awesome voice of his. But Trespassing is a whole nother level. I’m completely enthralled with so many of these songs. Plus it’s got a really smooth flow from beginning to end, so rare these days. Can’t wait to drop some cash for full HQ audio on Tuesday and crank it up on my Bose!

  16. mgoldenerrc says:

    What a great review. I just ordered my deluxe album from Amazon.com and can hardly wait for it to arrive.

  17. Lisa Walker says:

    wow I so enjoyed reading this, maybe one of the best reviews on the album Ive read.  You use such interesting terms and phrasing that are unusual but then so dead on and I literally said oh yeah! thats it! exactly……..”Underneath is broad and evocative, with Lambert’s voice shining in the
    minimalist setting. It’s quite ambitious in scope and creates an
    atmospheric, almost cinematic sound”…cinematic, yes dead on….

    thanks

  18. seashellz51 says:

    What a well thought out review. You really nailed each song. Fantastic. Trespassing is a phenomenal sophomore album. Have you heard the 3 bonus tracks on the Deluxe version? Runnin is fantastic as well as Nirvana. Thank you for such a great and thoughtful review of the music.

  19. Sandy Andrews says:

    Now this is a review–take note Entertainment Weekly.

  20. Mariadan says:

    Thank you, Great review for a great album.

    Now let’s see if the radio stations will play Adam. I think Adam  deserve way more attention considering the quality of this work. It’s so hard to understand how this business is conducted. Sometimes there’s not too much to understand !?!  It’s like: No quality? No problem! The show must go on!

  21. Gingersnap says:

    Thank you for an outstanding review! It’s so refreshing to read something written by someone who has really taken the time to understand the artist.

  22. indigo says:

    Thank you for actually taking time and LISTENING & then giving insightful and descriptive review. JOB WELL DONE!!!

  23. OMG Grace Duffy are you terrific.  Please tell me where I can read more of your reviews, stories, books whatever.  You paint incredible pictures of the songs and delve into the deepest parts of them.  You are a master of words.  I wouldn’t care if you hated some of the tracks….at least you proved that you did your job and gave your opinion using real technical descriptions.  You are good.  I am a huge Glambert which is why I am reading this.  But what a great review and we appreciate the time and effort put into this. 

    Can we replace this one with the horrible review from Entertainment Weekly?  I don’t mind a negative review or the B- but that wasn’t a review, just a whipping.  Thanks again.  Can’t wait for the album. 

  24. Wow Kerry.  I was pleased to see your post here.  You’ve always been a huge Adam supporter and Glambert.  What you are writing now?  Maybe in 10 years you can write a biography for Adam!

  25. Mitchell says:

    My issue with Adam is the same issue I had with another one of my reality show favorites, Dilana.  I just find Adam’s lyrics so sophomoric and obvious.  Compare this to a writer like Vince Kidd whose words are truly mysterious, clever, sexy and haunting.

    Adam should stick to singing and let someone else write.

  26. Maria Lucia says:

    Fabulous review, thank you – I don’t understand all the musical inside baseball, but it’s great to know that Adam is appreciated at that level as well – I know he will be thrilled by this review.  Wow.

  27. Delaney says:

    Thank you for a thoughtful and interesting review !  It is such a joy to read good writing about Adam from someone who “gets him” and has made an effort to truly listen to the music and think about it.  This album is brilliant and while I love every track on it, my favorites are; Cuckoo, Shady, and Underneath.  the album is indeed a “stunning artistic achievement from a visionary performer”.  Thanks again, Grace.

  28. Nancy L. says:

    Great review. But when you buy the album, be sure to get the deluxe version. The extra 3 songs are fabulous. Runnin’ is easily my favorite track on the entire album and Nirvana is ethereal.

  29. Delaney says:

     I doubt you mean “replace this one with the EW review” – other way around, right ?

  30. Delaney says:

    Appreciation of lyrics is very subjective.  I like Adam’s lyrics because they tell us about who he is inside.  If he only sang someone else’s lyrics, the great honesty and authenticity of his songs might be lessened.  He did not write either of the 2 singles: Better Than I Know Myself and Never Close Our Eyes.  On the other songs, he had co-writers.

  31. Sue says:

    That is the way it should be written. Beautiful articulate review. TY James!

  32. Lichencraig says:

    I hope Grace listened to the Deluxe version – the three additional tracks are some of the best, and especially “Runnin'” is the best exhibition of Adam’s amazing vocal ability on the album.

  33. atomom says:

    Mitchell, Vince Kidd is obscure, obtuse, pedantic, (don’t know what he looks like, so can’t say) and scary.  Maybe he isn’t but you certainly are, with your baseless remark.  Adam’s lyrics are not only clever; they fit the melody, emotion, and attitude of the songs.  BTW, this sophomore album is far from sophomoric, and if you think so, that is your snooty opinion.

  34. Lis says:

    Thank you for this wonderful review. And I think it’s a pity the Bonus Tracks are not on the standard release. I love them. Runnin is my favorite song, Nirvana is great and though I didn’t like Take Back so much in the beginning, the song grew on me and I enjoy it now as well. Actually, there is no song on the album I wouldn’t love. ‘Trespassing’ is amazing! 

  35. Lisa Walker says:

    Hmm have to both agree and disagree, LOL.  Adam is a very open and literal person, and thus, his writing reflects this.  So are the lyrics obvious, I suppose for the most part they are, but that does not make them less interesting of a statement. 

    Interestingly, Bruno Mars wrote Never Close our Eyes and someone else wrote Naked Love, while I like these songs well enough they among my least favorite, largely because they are lyricaly so weak.  Bruno is a grammy nominated writer and producer but I’ll take Shady, Outlaws of Love or Underneath any day. 

    and it still beats crap like Scream from Usher….relax and lay on your back and I’ll make u scream……yeah….I think Adam did a fine job now that I think about it.

  36. Barbara says:

    So happy that people finally recognize the musical genius that’s Adam Lambert.  What an awesome review!  Adam works so hard and we know just what a perfectionist he is.  Truly worth the wait for his next album, I just know it’s going to be sitting on top of the Billboard charts for the longest time!  Album of the Year?  Pop Male Vocalist?  Record of the Year?  He so truly deserves some grammy nominations and some wins. 

  37. Thank you for a wonderful review!  You get it!!  
    His fans love him for the pure talent that he is, andthat voice is immaculate!  He is not afraid to pushthe envelope, and always has. Can’t wait untilTrespassing is released May 15, 2012 

  38. Martha says:

    It is refreshing to read a well-written music
    review of a great album and thanks for giving Adam Lambert the recognition he
    deserves.

  39. Anonymous says:

    A very professional and thorough review, thank you for that. Although I think you just FORGOT ABOUT ONE OF HIS BEST TRACKS ON THE ALBUM, CUCKOO. ;)

  40. sadie says:

    Now this is a true music critic who knows his stuff;unlike that person(cannot give her any professional credence) from EW. While I can respect anyone’s opinion and taste in music,that woman obviously did not listen to the album at all,just used her position to express her dislike for Adam and gay people in general. Shame on her and kudos to this author.

  41. Donnalee says:

    Lovely review, Grace! I appreciated reading your detailed analysis of each song. May I say that you have fabulous musical taste?

  42. Great review. I am LIVING for Adam Lambert’s Trespassing CD. I have had it on repeat for days. It is the best compilation of song I have hears ince Thriller.

  43. RRAMJA says:

    Nice review and I think Adam Lambert has a creative flare many overlook. He is very talented, but his presence outshines his music and songs. He is better than many pop artist on the scene, because he .retains a unique sensiblitly and style.

  44. Ann says:

    All the entire Album is INCREDIBLE.., I’m so happy for Adam the critics of his album are all good, I’m sure TRESPASSING will be album of the year, if it is not something is really bad in music industry and  radio or media can not impose the artists we want to listen.

  45. feral says:

     ROFLMAO Really? You think Vince Kidd writes really good lyrics and adam cant write at all? Really? Ok. I did the comparison you suggested. First here’s Vince with his ‘clever, mysterious, haunting’ words – ““ride me, bite me, cut me & infect me wit’ya sick love, touch me, touch me, t-t-touch me, turn it into sick love”. Hmmmm Okay. Now Adam’s “obvious sophomoric” lyrics: “Steel to my trembling lips, How did the night ever get like this? One shot and the whiskey goes down, down, down” Sounds ok to me. Here’s a whole song from Vince – http://www.lyricsreg.com/lyrics/vince+kidd/Like+A+Virgin/ (with cliche lyrics and the chorus ripped from madonna) and a whole song from Adam – http://adamdownunder.com/lyrics/trespassing/trespassing/ with no lyrics ripped from someone else and very unique, fascinating lyrics. Sorry, I know which one I think writes better lyrics. But yeah Like Delaney said – each to their own.

  46. feral says:

    I am in awe of this review. So impressed with any reviewer/journalist who actually does the work and thinks about what they are writing. I loved reading this thank you.

  47. weezle says:

    Exactly my thoughts, so much better when you get a review that actually reviews THE MUSIC….great article..

  48. weezle says:

    Thumbs up for you…you said what I was thinking….thanks

  49. Christine Y says:

    thank you for this amazing review (can you add Cuckoo?). What I loved best is how you appreciate the essence of the man in the album – “lavish, thoughtful, sublimely executed, with exquisite attention to detail.” He really is a “visionary performer who ought to be celebrated.” Have you heard the bonus tracks? Sublime!!

  50. Great review. I’ve heard half the songs online and they sound wonderful. If I hadn’t already decided to buy, you would have sold me, LOL!