A song like "Lady Stardust" comes out of an era when being non-gender-conforming was not just daring but typically treated as, even accepted to be, SAD and TRAGIC.

You know, I never thought of it this way, and I'm not as familiar with the socio-cultural context of that period as I'd like to be, so thank you very much for pointing it out. I've read reactions/opinions on Adam's music from a wide range of demographics, and noticed that one can see the generational divide, particularly within the LGBTQIA community, because of differing attitudes about the role of sexuality in a performer's persona. Adam is very much a product of his generation, and what being gay means is different for him in this time than it is for people thirty years ago. (Or even ten years ago.) He comes from a liberal family (his straight younger brother is a PA on his tour right now) with a middle-class suburban background. In many ways he's the antithesis of the angst-ridden, tortured soul stereotype that some people still have about gay artists.

So, yeah, I totally agree with what you said. And just because he admires Bowie as an artist and icon, doesn't make him a Bowie 2.0; his mission statement seems to be that being gay is NOT something to be sad or apologetic about.

LOL, you should hear my hipster friend's opinion about the amount of production on the studio tracks ;-) But if it helps him achieve mainstream success, like you said that represents a positive change in pop culture. I'd recommend listening to more acoustic stuff from his concerts, though; his band tends towards a metal rock sound, so the live performances are much better than the studio tracks.

Sleepwalker (with dancers' interlude at beginning)


Soaked


Also, have you ever seen him do an acoustic version of "Whole Lotta Love" by Led Zeppelin? It's ridiculously awesome. He's done about a dozen live performances of it now, but my favorite remains the first time because it has the most 'folksy' vibe still, plus I was actually there.



Now off to re-listen to "All The Young Dudes", which you have so helpfully linked! *glomps*

Love you, Xie. Your posts always make me think. I am actually going to see Adam Lambert when he comes to St. Louis in August. I am taking my daughter and her best friend. I wish I could take them to see Bowie live, but I have to make due with U-Tube.

I agree his album is overproduced, but it doesn't stop me from enjoying his music and dancing around as though I am young and beautiful again. His acoustic work is better. Find him on U-T singing Brigadoon and listen to the vocal control he had at 22.

I find Adam refreshing, because to me, everyone sounds like Daughtry these days. I like them, but when you can't identify the group or the singer on the radio by the music, then the mainstream teeny boppers win.

..can't really be identified with an old-school sad song like "Lady Stardust."

True. That doesn't work.

But Adam Lambert is HAPPY..He gave "the big fuck you" to the people who didn't want him to be out and successful and went on and had fun with his persona, his personal life, and his music.

This is what makes me happy. I find it comforting that Adam has been able to make a space for himself, so far, and I hope a lot more artists will do the same.