Adam Lambert: Ghost Town
Details
Genre: Electronica, PopPros:
Best Lambert single since FYE era; haunting chorus and synthpop programming a plusCons:
Unfortunately the chorus — where the hook lies — is too short with lyrics and lengthThe dance-pop breeze of “Ghost Town” might just push Idol alum back in the hit-making game
The dance-pop breeze of “Ghost Town” might just push Idol alum back in the hit-making game
For Your Entertainment, the debut LP for American Idol alum Adam Lambert, provided a hefty winning streak for an American Idol runner-up. The album cracked at number three and produced a Top 25 Grammy-nominated hit single (“Whataya Want From Me”). But things started tanking downward with the off-the-tracks follow up Trespassing, producing very little to brag about. Nevertheless, Lambert may be hinting at a return to good form with “Ghost Town.” The Max Martin/Shellback song opens in a very peculiar way when compared with Lambert’s usual antics. It relies on a melancholy folk guitar and confessions wrapped around gloomy hopelessness (“I tried to believe in God and James Dean but Hollywood sold out”). He plays with the singer-songwriter delivery until the chorus jumps in, when the synth-pop beats kick in and a haunting whistle envelops. The quelled pattern repeats again for the second verse, although the melody is now supported with heavier instrumentation. The chorus, although short on lyrics, is where the meat-and-potatoes lies. It’s unfortunate that it proves to be way too short and doesn’t escalates into some rapturous Coldplay-esque arena rock sing-a-long or into the club jam that it so mildly experiments with. But it’s better material than what Lambert has been playing with lately, and points to brighter days ahead. Maybe some Vegas-resident DJ will crank out an awesome extended mix of this and give it the electronic madness it’s so hungry for. He deserves a titillating knockout for his fans who live within the confines of club-mania.
