Crank It Up To Eleven! 05.26.09: American Idol Aftermath

Posted by Sandeep Murali on 05.26.2009

My thoughts on the man who didn't win American Idol.





Hello everyone and welcome back. Summer completely sucks ass here in the tropics with yours truly sweating from pores he never knew existed. If you're one of those peeps who love the sun, the sea, the sand and all that crap, I'd gladly trade places with you.

While we are talking climate and all that, it's my duty to remind you that by bookmarking 411mania.com, you would be saving a delicate coral reef somewhere south of the Maldives .

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Talk dirty to me:

Michael L had some thoughts to share about Great White: "I'm a huge Great White fan, and it's a real shame that they'll be known primarily for the tragic fire, as they were among the top of the "hair metal" heap of the 80's. (Tesla being the other major act). Kendall's guitar work was phenomenal, as was Jack Russell's vocals. More than many other successors (Whitesnake and Kingdom Come being at the top of the list), Great White managed to capture the essence of Led Zepplin, so much that they did a pretty damned good live album of only Zepplin tunes.

While Once Bitten may have been their breakthrough album, I'd argue that their 92 release Psycho City was actually their best overall, with their best song of all--Old Rose Motel, along with some great rockers (Step on You, Big Goodbye) and classic ballads (Maybe Someday). That was a very polished effort, and pretty much marked the last time we saw Great White as a major outfit, as they would be pretty much relegated to bars and clubs from then on."
You pretty much read my mind on that one, Michael. I loved every bit of Psycho city too and Maybe Someday is indeed one classy ballad. Kendall virtually stole the show with his performance in that one.

Trashy says: "They got boring after "Shot In The Dark." The only good thing they did after that point was sending all those royalty checks to Angels/Angel City who were a far superior band than GW. "
With all due respect, I disagree, sir. I believe that everything up until and including Psycho city featured some great music and truly set the band apart from their contemporaries

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Glam is back!

Ok, rant time begins now. The facts first: American Idol is a running joke. (Most)People watch it to see Simon Cowell murderize someone with words. No one has truly given two hoots about the actual winners since One Kelly Clarkson won the inaugural edition. Every single winner/ finalist since then- with the possible exception of Carrie Underwood- have amounted to a grand total of Jack Squat as of today. Seriously? What has Clay Aiken done that was newsworthy apart from various closet related speculations and affirmations? Or Ruben Studdard, apart from buffet table related jokes? Anyone remember Fantacia "Minnie-mouse-on-helium" Burrino? Or the gray haired dude whose name I can't be bothered to remember? Or... Well, you get the idea, right?

To be fair, the pop-music oriented American Idol never held much appeal to a rock-oriented music fan like myself. The closest I came to giving a damn was when the Constantine/ Bo Bice duel happened and that unfortunately, flattered to deceive. So color me surprised when a true blue glam rocker made it all the way to the finals this time around! Yes, we are talking about Adam Lambert. Although he didn't win the finals, the man is making waves with inspiring performances and rumors of him possibly fronting Queen in the near future. What exactly does this mean?


Lambert performing with KISS at the American Idol Finale. The man certainly looks like he belongs up there. But with whom?

For one, a certain Mr. Paul Rodgers who gave everything he had and then some to keep the Queen name alive would suddenly find himself at the tail end of the unemployment line. And that is very unfortunate. You see, unlike most people I know, I happened to LIKE The cosmos rocks. Sure, Rodgers is no Mercury, but he wasn't meant to be one. That train of thought defeats the purpose of the album. It was meant to showcase the fact that there is music in Queen post Mercury. Rodgers played the perfect supporting cast and let May shine through for the first time since... ever! Let's be honest here. As classy as Brian May is, Freddie Mercury WAS Queen. Every time he stepped on stage, he stole the show like nobody's business. But now, with a lesser frontman, the other facets of Queen finally started to become obvious to the general public. Role played picture perfect by Rodgers. But Lambert? He wouldn't if he had an ounce of sense in him.

For Mr. Bad Company had certainly left his best days behind him when he took on the part-time gig with Queen. Lambert however, is just stepping into the limelight. By accepting the role of the lead singer for Queen, Lambert is allowing himself to be perilously close to being an Arnel Pineda or worse yet, a J.D. Fortune or a Lucas Rossi. You see, Arnel is a very gifted vocalist. The emotions that he put into each performance is a sight to be seen and the man does match Steve Perry note for effin' note. Journey couldn't have possibly found a better man to carry their game forward in the current day and age. But all things said, Arnel is still unfortunately seen as Perry Lite by the general populace. Which may not be ideal for the Manila native, but he IS pushing forty and let's face it, one grabs such opportunities that late in life with no questions asked. Again, fine for a Pineda; not so much for Lambert. The LAST thing he needs is to start a career where he gets compared to one of the best singers in rock 'n roll history with "Purists" shitting on him for everything that he does and waiting for him to put a foot wrong day in and day out.

Arnel Pineda fronting Journey. Overlooked talent.

Which would still be a walk in the park compared to the miserable careers the two aforementioned "Contest winners" went through before fading into obscurity. Their joint album titled "Switch" notwithstanding, the collaboration of JD Fortune and INXS has been anything from Meh to Epic Fail depending on who you ask. Not only did the combo show very little chemistry while performing (To be fair, Lambert seems to have way more charisma than Fortune ever displayed), but Fortune squandered away his, er... good fortunes by general head-up-the-ass behavior. Rossi on the other hand had a much more level head on his shoulders, but Supernova was destined to implode from the word go. Let's face it: Putting a newcomer amidst three individuals not really know for their humility wasn't the brightest of ideas was it?

I'm not suggesting that Lambert is a clueless moron like Fortune or that Queen would treat their new recruit the way Supernova dealt with theirs. But one has to understand that the odds are not in Lambert's favor in this instance. So in the odd chance that Queen are reading this very column, here's my request:

Guys, I have nothing but admiration for your life's work. Sure not all of it is not exactly to my taste, but I can identify and respect the genius, the talent and effort behind it. If you feel that you have more music in you to share with the world, please do go ahead. But please don't let Lambert be the guy singing. Make no mistake, I'm all for Lambert getting a career boost via Queen. Take him with you on tour, let him open for you, share the stage with him for a song or two. All good. But please do not push Adam Lambert into being your permanent frontman. After lord knows how many years, the mainstream media has finally seen a glam rocker with vocal chords that are comparable to some of the great performers of yesterday. Moreover, he has the presence and charisma to make it all work. But being compared to your late, great frontman would do little to further this youngster's career.

Let Adam Lambert be his own man.

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Never say goodbye:

What do you guys think? Should Lambert head Queen? Would that be blasphemous? Or do you just not care? Do let me know in the usual place.

Rock on and see y'all next Tuesday.