Lambert’s lament

I’LL never forget the performance Adam Lambert gave of Tears For Fears’ Mad World on American Idol in 2009.

Sitting on a chair while a single spotlight shone on him, he per- formed the most hauntingly beautiful rendition of the song I’ve ever heard. Lambert’s voice, accompanied by a piano, sends chills down my spine even today.

The Idol runner- up has done pretty well since then, launching a career that thrives on the liberal use of his impossibly wide vocals, stomp- the- ground beats and not to mention, lots of hair product and guyliner.

But on his third studio album, The Original High, the singer seems to be putting all that theatrics behind him and instead, is drawing from that tender performance he delivered back on Idol all those years ago.

Ghost Town begins with a simple acoustic guitar and Lambert’s voice coming on soft but certain. And as the song approaches its chorus, a techno beat starts up.

To my surprise, it doesn’t launch into his usual thumping dance hit territory but maintains Ghost Town’s gloom and melancholy.

That doesn’t mean Lambert is done showing off his impressive vocal range ( that would be a shame) – he gives us a taste of that money note towards the end of the title track.

Not only is he dialing down musically, Lambert is more honest and vulnerable than ever lyrically. He lets viewers in on his pain, often revolving around loneliness and a broken relationship particularly in Another Lonely Night.

Still, the most heartrending moment of the album arrives on There I Said It.

Lambert poignantly sings about being honest with his lover, but with unfavourable results. It’s almost like the singer was howling with a newfound resolve at the chorus of the piano- driven ballad.

The Original High sees Lambert toning down on the drama, but turning up the music.