I'd been waiting on this set of performances for ages, hoping that Sirius XM would post them on their channel but they still haven't appeared. Right now we only have the audio captured by @ScorpioBert. This set was performed back in February at the studio's Fishbowl for The Morning Jolt with Larry Flick.
The set starts with WWFM, the arrangement sounds lovely, especially the piano. Adam uses some new runs during his belts which sound fantastic. Trespassing sounds great with a beat, especially with that slightly electronic bass. There are some vocal tricks and lots of variations from the usual acoustic versions. OOL starts with a piano, something I'd hoped to hear since the debut. Other instruments are gradually introduced. It's a powerful and stirring rendition that has a different ending as he chooses to wail through rather than sing it. I realise it's been a while since we last heard BTIKM, even longer since Kevin's backing vocals but I realise I have missed it. Fever is jazzy, fun and free-flowing with brilliant vocals. The last song is Purple Haze, and it's the first time I've heard him do an acoustic version. His voice sounds rich and strong, ending with a riff from Trespassing.
Thursday, 31 May 2012
Tuesday, 29 May 2012
Never Close Our Eyes Music Video
I've finally gotten round to doing my write-up so apologies for the delay. Here's the video with my review:
We already saw the intro of this from the teaser so now we get the full thing. Adam lives in a gloomy colourless dystopian facility where everything is uniform and linear apart from the slaves that inhabit it. But even they move like robots, living a regimented existence of repetition and living off a diet of pills. Adam is the only one who seems to have had enough to want to rebel, crushing one of his sustenance pills that in turn releases an intense burst of blue smoke.
Part of the routine is to go to individual pods where it seems like the drones are being programmed and their eyes all turn black. Apart from Adam of course, who seems to be immune. Some of the shots there make his mouth look huge. The slaves start scrubbing the floors in synch and it's then that Adam decides he's had enough, starting off a chain reaction as everyone else leaves their chores to dance and make an escape by heading underground. The guards at the perimeter fence start blowing smoke at Adam and his gang, but they're protected by a forcefield which turns the smoke into vivid colours. The guards get scared and back off and that's when the rave begins and everyone's dancing away with choreographed moves in brilliant acid colours.
I think this is Adam's best video to date and very entertaining to watch. From the teaser I was expecting more of a story as it looked so cinematic but it's not very long. It's a shock to see Adam in such bright colours but he looks fabulous throughout. I do particularly like that bare fresh-faced look when he's in the pod. The euphoric dance part reminds me a bit of the IIHY music video but this is a more sophisticated effort.
I think this is a reflection of real life, an interpretation of the way many people just exist by drifting along, doing their 9-to-5s, lives mapped out and going with the flow of expectation. They are slaves to the rat race, never really opening their eyes and minds to the multitude of possibilities out there that could release their true potential. It just takes a bit of bravery (or Adam leading the charge) to break out of the comfort zone and do something different, the rewards of which could be transcendent. I wonder just how many eyes Adam has opened.
We already saw the intro of this from the teaser so now we get the full thing. Adam lives in a gloomy colourless dystopian facility where everything is uniform and linear apart from the slaves that inhabit it. But even they move like robots, living a regimented existence of repetition and living off a diet of pills. Adam is the only one who seems to have had enough to want to rebel, crushing one of his sustenance pills that in turn releases an intense burst of blue smoke.
Part of the routine is to go to individual pods where it seems like the drones are being programmed and their eyes all turn black. Apart from Adam of course, who seems to be immune. Some of the shots there make his mouth look huge. The slaves start scrubbing the floors in synch and it's then that Adam decides he's had enough, starting off a chain reaction as everyone else leaves their chores to dance and make an escape by heading underground. The guards at the perimeter fence start blowing smoke at Adam and his gang, but they're protected by a forcefield which turns the smoke into vivid colours. The guards get scared and back off and that's when the rave begins and everyone's dancing away with choreographed moves in brilliant acid colours.
I think this is Adam's best video to date and very entertaining to watch. From the teaser I was expecting more of a story as it looked so cinematic but it's not very long. It's a shock to see Adam in such bright colours but he looks fabulous throughout. I do particularly like that bare fresh-faced look when he's in the pod. The euphoric dance part reminds me a bit of the IIHY music video but this is a more sophisticated effort.
I think this is a reflection of real life, an interpretation of the way many people just exist by drifting along, doing their 9-to-5s, lives mapped out and going with the flow of expectation. They are slaves to the rat race, never really opening their eyes and minds to the multitude of possibilities out there that could release their true potential. It just takes a bit of bravery (or Adam leading the charge) to break out of the comfort zone and do something different, the rewards of which could be transcendent. I wonder just how many eyes Adam has opened.
Sunday, 27 May 2012
98.5 KRZ's Summer Smash Wilkes-Barre
Adam looks fantastic in off-horizontal stripes under a black jacket that still has a black armband. Here's a playlist of my video picks:
The set starts as usual with Trespassing which has a wow moment in that glory note that is so high and sustained. Kickin' In is very camp with OTT expressions, wiggly-ass dancing and great vocals. The sound of the bass on this version of Shady sounds most like the studio version and Adam includes a long bluesy riff at the end. WWFM has a certain grandness to it and is just beautiful, the backing singers are a very welcome addition.
Chokehold sounds a little different to the other versions so far and the bridge is amazing. Brian is getting in on the banter between songs as the band chemistry grows. Broken English includes a crotch stroke that makes the crowd lose their shit. The bridge here is an instrumental-only one without Adam's wailing over it. The high notes are unbelievable. A bouncy Naked Love sees Adam getting people to wave their arms as he gets friendly with the crowd, giving one of them a hug. The singalong is a lot of fun and I really enjoy this performance.
Adam tries to mobilise his troops to get NCOE on the radio and he really nails this one. Sung with freedom, it's a bit faster than usual and he's on such scintillating form with impressive high notes, ending on his favourite riff. There's quite a bit of banter before Cuckoo. He's really on fire for this with his dancing legs fully on, ass wiggling about. It's very discoey with the keys rather loud. For the first time, I really enjoy the band intros because of Adam's freestyle ad-libbing, which briefly goes off on a Chaka Khan tangent. Tommy's solo is also great but it's Adam's vocals that are incredible.
Despite Adam being unsatisfied with the sound throughout, this is by far the best concert so far from this era in terms of energy and vocals. He's back as the ringmaster, commanding and conducting the stage and the audience throughout. I can see that he's made a concerted effort to chat more with the audience, involving them and allowing his personality to shine through. He's also been building more of a rapport with the band, getting them to reveal more of themselves and as they all get to understand each other, the performances have become freer and significantly improved. This evolution is so satisfying to witness.
The set starts as usual with Trespassing which has a wow moment in that glory note that is so high and sustained. Kickin' In is very camp with OTT expressions, wiggly-ass dancing and great vocals. The sound of the bass on this version of Shady sounds most like the studio version and Adam includes a long bluesy riff at the end. WWFM has a certain grandness to it and is just beautiful, the backing singers are a very welcome addition.
Chokehold sounds a little different to the other versions so far and the bridge is amazing. Brian is getting in on the banter between songs as the band chemistry grows. Broken English includes a crotch stroke that makes the crowd lose their shit. The bridge here is an instrumental-only one without Adam's wailing over it. The high notes are unbelievable. A bouncy Naked Love sees Adam getting people to wave their arms as he gets friendly with the crowd, giving one of them a hug. The singalong is a lot of fun and I really enjoy this performance.
Adam tries to mobilise his troops to get NCOE on the radio and he really nails this one. Sung with freedom, it's a bit faster than usual and he's on such scintillating form with impressive high notes, ending on his favourite riff. There's quite a bit of banter before Cuckoo. He's really on fire for this with his dancing legs fully on, ass wiggling about. It's very discoey with the keys rather loud. For the first time, I really enjoy the band intros because of Adam's freestyle ad-libbing, which briefly goes off on a Chaka Khan tangent. Tommy's solo is also great but it's Adam's vocals that are incredible.
Despite Adam being unsatisfied with the sound throughout, this is by far the best concert so far from this era in terms of energy and vocals. He's back as the ringmaster, commanding and conducting the stage and the audience throughout. I can see that he's made a concerted effort to chat more with the audience, involving them and allowing his personality to shine through. He's also been building more of a rapport with the band, getting them to reveal more of themselves and as they all get to understand each other, the performances have become freer and significantly improved. This evolution is so satisfying to witness.
Saturday, 26 May 2012
95.5 WPLJ Scott & Todd's Super Summer Blast-Off
For an early morning gig, Adam looks chipper with an unusual sartorial choice of checked shirt over a white T-shirt. The crowd looks a little different to the usual flailing females, with quite a few stationary blokes in baseball caps near the front.
A strong Trespassing starts the set before the shirt comes off to go round Adam's waist for WWFM. It's a bit disconcerting that the crowd, for once, doesn't sing along, but I guess the point of these gigs is to capture a new audience. It's a lovely version with some new runs. Shady is next. It doesn't have the best of starts but the band sounds very tight, the arrangement hits the spot and there's a wow moment as he stretches out a powerful note that lasts forever. A great NCOE concludes the set.
I wonder if Trespassing and Shady were chosen for such a short set because they're considered to be the most commercial, and an indication of subsequent singles. NCOE is a given and WWFM was included for being Adam's biggest hit.
A strong Trespassing starts the set before the shirt comes off to go round Adam's waist for WWFM. It's a bit disconcerting that the crowd, for once, doesn't sing along, but I guess the point of these gigs is to capture a new audience. It's a lovely version with some new runs. Shady is next. It doesn't have the best of starts but the band sounds very tight, the arrangement hits the spot and there's a wow moment as he stretches out a powerful note that lasts forever. A great NCOE concludes the set.
I wonder if Trespassing and Shady were chosen for such a short set because they're considered to be the most commercial, and an indication of subsequent singles. NCOE is a given and WWFM was included for being Adam's biggest hit.
Watch What Happens Live
Adam appeared on Bravo TV's Watch What Happens Live with fellow guest Beth Ditto. Here's the full show:
Adam's appearance here is made of win and is a right treat. He seems to feed off Beth's energy, showing his humour and charm. The snarky side that hasn't been seen for a while comes out to play. He isn't afraid to get his claws out for some priceless moments but still stays classy. Love this!
Adam's appearance here is made of win and is a right treat. He seems to feed off Beth's energy, showing his humour and charm. The snarky side that hasn't been seen for a while comes out to play. He isn't afraid to get his claws out for some priceless moments but still stays classy. Love this!
Wednesday, 23 May 2012
Q102 Springle Ball
Adam has new ash blonde highlights up top with those stars and stripe trousers and blue jacket. The crowd is well up for it, egging him on and he's returning the energy. He isn't happy with the sound for much of Trespassing and Kickin' In. Despite myself, I'm singing along to Naked Love, finding that bit by bit I'm being ensnared. Even though WWFM is an old song, it's a highlight for me. The crowd sings along and he includes an absolute beauty of a glory note, jazz hands and all. Unmissable. NCOE has some stellar vocals and some slightly different drumming at end. The set ends with Cuckoo and band intros with Adam really playing up to the crowd. Out of all the radio concerts so far, this one's my favourite for vocals. Here's my playlist:
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