My opinion of the songs? Adam is a genius. What a way to put on a show that is stunning yet doesn't rely on gimmicks, big production numbers, and multi-layered backing tracks to cover weak performances. I LIKE this Era 2 look and style.
1. NCOE: For the uninitiated, what is the Adam Lambert guy about? Watch the first 40 seconds of this performance and you have a large part of the answer. First view? Gorgeous man. Striking! First notes? Damn! This guy can SANG. Beautiful, clear, ringing voice that floats over the audience. Then, the angel grabs hold of the mic fiercely and he is off and running. What a superb introduction to the performer named Adam Lambert.
The arrangement works so well. Tommy plays some funky backing riffs. Brian includes old rock/funk style organ sounds. The divas plus Brian add a rich backing vocal that compliments Adam's voice without detracting from it. So much better that the prerecorded backing vocal tracks of the last Era. Isaac and Ashley drive the song with a relentless beat. The song modulates from ballad to pop to croon to power rock.
2. Trespassing. An anthem for rebels and outsiders. Such fun to stomp and clap along to. TBH, there is not a lot to the melody and lyrics. It is a bit repetitive. But, that is intentional, IMO. Like the classic We Will Rock You, it is designed to be sung/chanted with fist pumps and attitudes galore.
3. Naked Love: Who knew? This song has a massive hook that Adam threw out there front and center at the very beginning: Ohhhhh, ohhhhh, ohhhh. With a mini-church choir and keyboards reminiscent of an organ. "Okay, you got your part? Then, here we go!" and he's launching into this pop-y dance party funk. What fun and joy (and sexy times). Then, the bridge comes around and
is that Adam's version of rap? Finally, let's end this with a call and respond sing-along. One little side note: did you see when Adam turned his mic toward the audience the second time to pick up their voices, he kept singing and even with the mic faced away from his mouth, his voice was so present?
4. Broken English: Defies categorization. New age ethereal tune meets power rock ballad, meets mid-eastern wail with maybe a little "come to Jesus" gospel feel? But the singers in church never used those sexy moves. And the voice! So clear, so floating, so piercing, so haunting, so powerful, and all shades in between.
5. Cuckoo: We're gonna party til they take us away! Definitely has a dance party bass and drum drive, but is that Tommy playing a nasty funky guitar? Then some rock riffs? And the multi-part a cappella "lose my mind" is so powerfully compelling. Let's all lose our minds together.
Adam sounded better than great. Looked classy, trashy, sexy, angelic. The band and vajayjays provided great accompaniment. A wonderful time was had by all. Era #2 is going to blow minds around the globe.
