2.25.11 Adam News & Info

First thing's first, let's address the giant Tourettey/Aspergery elephant in the room: James Durbin, whose final audition (and ultimate entry into the Top 24) caused riots on the streets. (And when I say "Caused riots on the streets," I really mean, "Caused MJ's Big Blog to crash.") It was the gasp heard 'round the "Idol" bubble, when Durbin equated his reckless shriek to Adam Lambert's controlled wail. Then he performed "A Change Is Gonna Come" in the style of Lambert's season eight finale tour de force. Except Durbin replaced all of Adam's nuanced restraint and emotional honesty with manic red-faced grandstanding. It was the musical equivalent of Elizbeth Berkley's infamous caffeine pill meltdown from "Saved By the Bell." To paraphrase Jessie Spano, "He's so excited; I'm so scared."

I'll spare readers (and James) the lecture because we all know he struggles with a disorder that I imagine clouds self-awareness. (I truly think he intended his Lambert comparison to be a shout-out to one of his inspirations and not an arrogant dismissal of Adam's otherworldly vocal chops.) Instead, I'll simply urge Durbin to hone in on his own musical identity, and might suggest he avoid any future songs (or musical notes) that might end up with him being compared to a singer so far out of his league.