I am excited about ALN. Its chorus is so upbeat and infectious. And that cover picture is stunning. I know NOTHING about top 40 radio, but this sounds like a big hit to me.
The long-time fans among us sometimes feel that Adam is still fighting an unfair, uphill battle against people's negative impressions of him. They seem to perseverate on the heavy make-up, eyeliner, and OTT image which has not been present in over three years now. Why do people cling to that image and refuse to see Adam as the model-gorgeous, amazing singer and performer we see?
I ran across this article about first impressions and thought it was insightful. I think Adam is still battling to overcome what, for many folks, was a negative first impression. Hopefully, Queen, GT, ALN and all the publicity is slowly but surely creating new images.
www.upworthy.com/heres-the-science-behind-first-impressions-and-how-make-up-for-a-bad-one-pm2-3b?c=clickI think only half of this article applies, though.
Adam created his first impression during idol, where he was NOT wearing endless make-up, or tried to stir up any controversy etc. Instead he rather tried to a) focus on the vocals and b) present himself as the nice guy that he naturally is.
Yet, even then, he was divisive. He immediately had fans, and immediately had haters, and both sides were willing to spend endless energy on their respective causes.
Now the other aspect of the article, that people seek to re-enforce their previously held beliefs, and are looking for that kind of affirmation, that part, I think does apply to Adam. Hence the strong reactions.
But that second part also means that Adam is not in control of majorly changing his public perception. He cannot change what people want to believe, or at least he cannot change that rapidly.
He happens to sit on that edge of a major public discourse of our time, and public opinion falls to one side or the other of that divide. On a one by one basis, Adam had the power to change some hearts, and he has done so with quite a few people. Beyond idol, and on a larger world-wide music scene, he has to live with that divide. Ignore those that think negatively and work with the rest. Put out convincing art (visually, and sonicly, and in message) and otherwise let the chips fall where they may.
There is also some very good news in all of this, and that is artistic freedom. Adam should feel free to do what he wants. He can define his path, and he should. And in today's time, where others have to scramble to even find any attention, it is luxury to be able to have the artistic independence that Adam enjoys, simply because he is guaranteed some level of attention as well as appreciation, in any case.
Adam's past image post idol may have fed a bit more into the stereotype, and thereby enforced the divide, but I do not believe it created it. Which is why Adam also now, while doing something different, finds the haters to have remained the same. It has nothing to do with Adam, it has to do with them, and both he himself, as well as us will need to walk with big steps right past those people. No artist has 100 % of the market, most have a small share only, Adam has the attention of more than many. As prejudices slowly fall, and secondly, as he gains the attention of more an more people, who were not even paying any attention so far, he will win. I think he is doing exactly what he needs to do. Take the high road and move on, widening his audience, especially in that European and Asian market, where that edge of discourse that I was talking about, has already been blunted over time. There is still a huge market of potential listeners who are not paying much attention to him yet. He is presently working to get their attention, and I think it is working well for him.
On to a new single, I love that mellow, yet exciting cover art............
-------and a darn next round of battling with Morten Harket....grrrrr
GO GET 'EM, Melliemom!!
