For Your Entertainment (album)

For Your Entertainment
Studio album by Adam Lambert
Released November 23, 2009 (2009-11-23)
Recorded May–October 2009
Genre
Length 57:24
Label
Producer
Adam Lambert chronology
Take One
(2009)		 For Your Entertainment
(2009)		 Acoustic Live!
(2010)
Singles from For Your Entertainment
  1. "For Your Entertainment"
    Released: October 27, 2009
  2. "Whataya Want from Me"
    Released: November 24, 2009
  3. "If I Had You"
    Released: May 11, 2010
  4. "Fever"
    Released: September 17, 2010
  5. "Sure Fire Winners"
    Released: January 24, 2011
  6. "Aftermath"
    Released: March 8, 2011
  7. "Sleepwalker"
    Released: March 25, 2011[1][2]

For Your Entertainment is the debut studio album by American singer Adam Lambert, which he started to record after the end of the eighth season of American Idol. It was released on November 23, 2009 by RCA Records.[3] Three singles have been released from the album worldwide: "For Your Entertainment", "Whataya Want from Me" and "If I Had You" while "Sleepwalker" has been released in some countries as the fourth single. "Fever", "Sure Fire Winners" and "Aftermath" were released as radio-only singles in select countries. The album peaked at position number three on the Billboard 200 and reached Gold and Platinum status in multiple countries. The album's second single "Whataya Want from Me" became an international hit reaching the top ten in fourteen countries. The album was supported by Lambert's first concert tour, the 2010 Glam Nation Tour.

Development

Immediately following his participation on American Idol, Lambert began writing and recording with predominant pop hit makers such as Lady Gaga, Greg Wells, Max Martin, Linda Perry, RedOne, Ryan Tedder, Evan "Kidd" Bogart, Sam Sparro, Kara DioGuardi, Alex James, Rivers Cuomo and Pink. On October 28, Lambert announced that the lead single would be "For Your Entertainment" produced by Dr. Luke. He tweeted, "Debut single is called 'For Your Entertainment' ..." He also confirmed a song called "Soaked" written by Matthew Bellamy of Muse and a song called "Music Again" written by Justin Hawkins of The Darkness. Another song from Justin Hawkins titled "Suburban Decay" was also considered for the album, but Lambert decided not to record it, saying it was too different than the rest of the album. He also stated that he co-wrote six of the songs on the album: "Strut", "Pick U Up", " Voodoo, "Down The Rabbit Hole," "Aftermath" and "Broken Open". Lambert also announced through Twitter that he had collaborated with Lady Gaga. "Yes it's true: I spent yesterday in the studio with the insanely talented and creative Lady Gaga recording a song that she wrote! I love her."[4] The guitar solo on the song "Sleepwalker" was performed by Orianthi.

Promotion

To promote the album's release, several songs from the album were performed live on AOL Sessions.[5] Following his controversial performance at the American Music Awards of 2009 (AMAs), Lambert was dropped from a few scheduled performances on the American Broadcasting Company (ABC) network,[6] though CBS subsequently invited Lambert for an interview and performance on The Early Show in New York City instead.[7] On November 25, 2009, Lambert performed his single "Whataya Want from Me" on the Late Show with David Letterman. He later appeared on The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien on December 14, 2009, and performed his single.[8] He provided another live performance two days later on the season finale of So You Think You Can Dance. Appearing with other superstar artists, Lambert's "Whataya Want from Me" stole the show, according to an MTV review. Earlier that day, he appeared on Chelsea Lately, with host Chelsea Handler.[9]

Lambert appeared for the first time on The Jay Leno Show on December 21, 2009, giving a lengthy interview and performing "Whataya Want from Me".[10] He was invited back in March 2010 to close the second episode of The Tonight Show featuring Jay Leno, with a performance of the song "Sleepwalker" from his debut album.[11] Lambert performed his newly released single "If I Had You" on Leno's May 21, 2010, show.[12] Lambert then went on a series of promotional interviews and performances to address the controversy, clear up rumours, discuss his rise to fame, and promote the album. Interviews included The Ellen DeGeneres Show,[13] The View,[14] and The Oprah Winfrey Show.[15][16] On the March 10, Lambert performed on VH1's "Unplugged", where he sang stripped-down versions of songs off the album.[17] During the spring of 2010, Lambert undertook a series of promotional interviews (TV and Radio) in Europe and Asia, to promote the international release of his album. A few days prior, he was interviewed for the Fuse TV "On the Record" segment.[18] In March, as part of his swing through Australia to promote his album, he performed on "So You Think You Can Dance", as well as the popular morning show "Sunrise".[19] Lambert also did a series of television appearances in Japan,[20] as part of his Asian and European promotional tour.

In the same month, Lambert was selected to inaugurate the newly resurrected award-winning VH1 Unplugged concert series, for which he interviewed as well as performed stripped-down versions of five songs from the album.[21] March 2010 also saw him as a featured artist on the ABC News Nightline "Playlist" segment, in which he discussed his musical influences and favorite tracks.[22]

In May 2010, he returned to Ellen to perform a new single, "If I Had You".[23] Lambert performed an acoustic version of "Whataya Want from Me" on Ellen’s February 10, 2011 show, soon after being nominated for a Grammy Award for his vocal performance of the song.[24] Lambert returned to the American Idol stage for the March 10, 2011, results show, singing an acoustic version of his song "Aftermath", accompanied only by guitar. After the performance, a dance remix version was made available for purchase, with proceeds benefitting The Trevor Project.[25]

Release

The album was released in the United Kingdom, on November 20, 2009 and November 23 in the United States, to generally positive reception. The album was later released internationally with "Master Plan", "Down the Rabbit Hole", "Voodoo" and "Can't Let You Go" as bonus tracks. It was later released as a special Tour Edition in 2010, including the bonus tracks, live performances from Iheart Radio and AOL Stripped, music videos for "For Your Entertainment," "Whataya Want From Me," "If I Had You" and the making of "If I Had You"'s music video. The album was released with the same image of the title track artwork.

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Aggregate scores
SourceRating
Metacritic71/100[26]
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[27]
Boston Globe(mixed)[28]
Entertainment Weekly(B+)[29]
The Detroit News(favorable)[30]
Los Angeles Times[31]
The New York Times(unfavorable)[32]
Rolling Stone[33]
Slant Magazine[34]
Spin[35]
Toronto Star[36]

Critical response to For Your Entertainment was generally positive. At Metacritic, which assigns a normalized rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream critics, the album has received an average score of 71, based on 10 reviews.[26] The Huffington Post called the album "An instant classic" and also stated that "As a whole, For Your Entertainment marks one of the most impressive mainstream pop album debuts in recent memory."[37] The Detroit News said that "It goes without saying that "For Your Entertainment" is the most poised debut from any "Idol" to date. Lambert has a vision and has successfully honed a sound that pays homage to his heroes while carving a niche for himself."[30] Spin said the album is "perhaps the strongest, most flavorful batch of tunes to reach an AI vet, and Lambert's polymorphous vocal skills unite dancefloor strut and hard-rock pomp in a convincing glam package."[35] Slant Magazine wrote that "'Music Again' and the awkwardly written 'Strut' [are] every bit as obnoxious as the songs from Mika's The Boy Who Knew Too Much," and that "'Music Again' apes its production and a good deal of its melody from Mika's 'Touches You,' while the title track and lead single is so similar to Sam Sparro's 'Black and Gold' that 19 Entertainment should probably keep a strong legal team on retainer...but questions of originality aside, there's simply no getting around the fact that the Lady Gaga co-write 'Fever' and 'Whataya Want from Me,' written by Pink and Max Martin, are phenomenally well-crafted pop singles that give Lambert the opportunity to shine. To co-opt one of Simon Cowell's favorite phrases: Lambert's music sounds current in a way that Idol albums rarely do."[34] Rolling Stone wrote that "The songs sound great but feel strangely stuffy — Entertainment seems like a disc that was overthought. Next time, the hugely talented Lambert should make sure he's going straight for the gut."[33] In 2010, Adam Lambert was nominated for a GLAAD Media Award for "Outstanding Music Artist" for the album For Your Entertainment during the 21st GLAAD Media Awards.[38]

Track listing

No. TitleWriter(s)Producer(s) Length
1. "Music Again"  Justin HawkinsRob Cavallo 3:16
2. "For Your Entertainment"  
Dr. Luke 3:35
3. "Whataya Want from Me"  
Max Martin, Shellback 3:47
4. "Strut"  
Wells 3:29
5. "Soaked"  Matthew BellamyCavallo 4:33
6. "Sure Fire Winners"  
Cavallo 3:33
7. "A Loaded Smile"  Linda PerryPerry 4:04
8. "If I Had You"  
 3:48
9. "Pick U Up"  
Wells 4:00
10. "Fever"  
Bhasker 3:26
11. "Sleepwalker"  
Tedder 4:26
12. "Aftermath"  
Howard Benson 4:26
13. "Broken Open"  
Wells 5:03
14. "Time for Miracles" (bonus track)
Cavallo 4:42

"Glam Nation" World Tour

In support of the album, Lambert embarked on his first headlining world solo tour entitled The Glam Nation Tour. The tour travelled across North America, New Zealand, Australia, Asia and Europe, before finishing with two final shows in Los Angeles, California. The tour began with a sold out show at the Kirby Sports Center in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. Opening acts were Allison Iraheta and Orianthi for the North American leg of the tour.[39][40]

Chart performance

The album sold 198,000 copies in its first week, debuting at number 3 on the Billboard 200.[41] As of April 2015, it has sold 863,000 in the U.S.[42] The album was first released in the UK on November 20, 2009 available only on imports, however it still managed to debut at number 80. The album was officially released in the UK on May 3, 2010 and debuted and peaked at number 36. For Your Entertainment was released across Europe between April and June, being successful mostly in Finland, Germany, Greece, and Sweden peaking at number 4, number 16, number 5 and number 8 respectively. The album was released in Australia on March 5, 2010 and debut inside the top 20 on the ARIA charts in its first week. After the success of singles "Whataya Want from Me" and "If I Had You" the album went on to be certified Gold by ARIA, later being accredited Platinum status for selling over 70,000 copies in Australia.

The album has received success across Asia, being certified Gold in Malaysia and Singapore, with success in Japan also. As of January 2011, the album has sold over 1.2 million units worldwide, while all singles tracks from the albums have a sales total of 4.2 million units worldwide.[43]

Charts and certifications

Release date

Country Date Label Formats
United Kingdom November 20, 2009[71] RCA Records Digital download
United States November 23, 2009
  • CD
  • digital download
Canada Sony Music
Philippines[72] CD
Brazil January 28, 2010
Australia March 5, 2010
  • CD
  • digital download
Japan March 10, 2010
Argentina April 13, 2010 CD
Netherlands April 30, 2010 CD
Finland May 1, 2010 CD
United Kingdom[73] May 3, 2010 RCA Records CD
Italy[74] June 1, 2010
  • CD
  • digital download
Japan September 22, 2010 Sony Music CD+DVD
Australia October 1, 2010
United Kingdom October 25, 2010

References

  1. ↑ "Sleepwalker: Adam Lambert: Amazon.de: Musik". Amazon.de. Retrieved 2012-02-16.
  2. ↑ : (2011-03-25). "Sleepwalker (2011) | Adam Lambert | Musikdownloads - legal, einfach & sicher - in MP3 und anderen Formaten | 7digital Österreich". At.7digital.com. Retrieved 2012-02-16.
  3. ↑ Herrera, Monica (2009-10-19). "Adam Lambert leaked single online". Reuters. Retrieved 2009-11-29.
  4. ↑ Parker, Lyndsey (2009-10-19). "Adam Lambert goes "Gaga": Breaking Collabo News". Yahoo! Music. Retrieved 2009-11-29.
  5. ↑ "Adam Lambert Live Performance". aol.com. 2010-01-01.
  6. ↑ Bauder, David. "ABC: Lambert's Performance Draws 1,500 Complaints". Associated Press.
  7. ↑ "Adam Lambert To Perform On "Early Show"". CBS News. Cbsnews.com. 24 November 2009. Retrieved 24 November 2009.
  8. ↑ "Adam Lambert on Conan O'Brien Tonight". 2009-12-14. Retrieved 2011-11-04.
  9. ↑ Vena, Jocelyn (2009-12-17). "Adam Lambert Steals The Show On 'So You Think You Can Dance' Finale". Retrieved 2011-11-04.
  10. ↑ Vena, Jocelyn (2009-12-11). "Adam Lambert Clears Up Rumors On 'The Jay Leno Show'". MTV. Viacom. Retrieved 2011-11-04.
  11. ↑ "Adam Lambert Does 'Sleepwalker' on Jay Leno". 2010-03-04. Retrieved 2011-11-04.
  12. ↑ Gilmore, Story (2010-05-22). "Video: Adam Lambert Performs "If I Had You" On The Tonight Show With Jay". Retrieved 2011-11-04.
  13. ↑ "Adam Lambert News - Updates, Blog, Fan Comments & More | The Official Adam Lambert Site". Adamofficial.com. Retrieved 2010-02-01.
  14. ↑ Cady, Jennifer (December 10, 2009). "ABC Still Afraid of Adam Lambert, Pretapes View Performance". E! Online. Retrieved January 3, 2010.
  15. ↑ "Adam Lambert Sits Down With Oprah". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. 2009-09-14. Retrieved 2010-02-01.
  16. ↑ "Adam Lambert's Rise to Fame". Oprah.com. 2010-01-19.
  17. ↑ "Adam Lambert Unplugged". neonlimelight.com. 2010-03-11.
  18. ↑ "Adam Lambert Fuse TV Interview Video: On The Record with Fuse 1-11-10". 2010-01-12. Retrieved 2011-11-16.
  19. ↑ "Adam Lambert – So You Think You Can Dance Australia – VIDEO". 2010-03-04. Retrieved 2011-11-09.
  20. ↑ "Adam Lambert: More From Japan - VIDEOS". 2010-03-16. Retrieved 2011-11-19.
  21. ↑ TJ (2010-03-11). "Adam Lambert Strips Down In Breathtaking VH1 Unplugged Performances". Retrieved 2011-11-11.
  22. ↑ Baker, Steven (2010-03-12). "Adam Lambert's All-Time Favorite Tracks". Retrieved 2011-11-15.
  23. ↑ Nguyen, Hanh (2010-05-19). "'American Idol': Adam Lambert performs 'If I Had You' on 'Ellen'". Retrieved 2011-11-07.
  24. ↑ "Adam Lambert – Ellen DeGeneres Show". 2011-02-10. Retrieved 2011-11-04.
  25. ↑ Gilmore, Story (2011-03-10). "Video:Adam Lambert Performs Stunning Acoustic Version Of "Aftermath" on American Idol Results Show". Retrieved 2011-11-30.
  26. 1 2 "Adam Lambert:For Your Entertainment (2009): Reviews". Metacritic. CBS Interactive. Retrieved December 21, 2009.
  27. ↑ Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "Review: For Your Entertainment". AllMusic. All Media Network. Retrieved 2009-11-26.
  28. ↑ Rodman, Sarah (2009-11-24). "Adam Lambert shifts styles in For Your Entertainment". Boston Globe. Retrieved 2009-11-29.
  29. ↑ Greenblatt, Leah (2009-11-18). "Adam Lambert - For Your Entertainment review". Entertainment Weekly. Time Warner. Retrieved 2009-11-29.
  30. 1 2 Graham, Adam (2009-11-13). "Review: Adam Lambert's For Your Entertainment glams it up greatly". The Detroit News. MediaNews Group. Retrieved 2009-11-29.
  31. ↑ Powers, Ann (2009-11-19). "Album review: Adam Lambert's For Your Entertainment". Los Angeles Times. Tribune Company. Retrieved 2009-11-29.
  32. ↑ Caramanica, Jon (2009-11-22). "Critics' Choice - New from Rihanna, Shakira, Kris Allen, Adam Lambert - Review". The New York Times. Arthur Ochs Sulzberger, Jr. Retrieved 2009-11-29.
  33. 1 2 Rosen, Jody (2009-11-23). "For Your Entertainment". Rolling Stone. Wenner Media. Retrieved 2009-11-24.
  34. 1 2 Keefe, Jonathan (2009-11-22). "Adam Lmabert: For Your Entertainment: Music Review: Slant Magazine". Slant Magazine. Retrieved 2009-11-23.
  35. 1 2 Walters, Barry (2009-11-19). "Adam Lambert For Your Entertainment (19 Recordings/RCA)". Spin. Spin Media. Retrieved 2009-11-29.
  36. ↑ Rayner, Ben (2009-11-24). "CD Pick of the Week: For Your Entertainment by Adam Lambert". Toronto Star. John D. Cruickshank. Retrieved 2009-11-29.
  37. ↑ Vogel, Joe (2009-11-21). "Review: Adam Lambert's For Your Entertainment Instant Classic". Huffington Post. Retrieved 2009-11-29.
  38. ↑ "21st Annual GLAAD Media Awards - English Language Nominees". Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation. 2010. Retrieved February 21, 2010.
  39. ↑ "Adam Lambert to tour with Allison Iraheta, Orianthi". beatweekcom. 2010-04-16.
  40. ↑ "Adam Lambert: Glam Nation Tour Will "Transport People" [VIDEO]". www.ryanseacrest.com. 2010-04-15.
  41. ↑ "Album sales: Adam Lambert gets soooo close to 200K". USA Today. Gannett Company. 2009-12-02.
  42. ↑ Caulfield, Keith (April 24, 2015). "Adam Lambert Will Tour as Solo Artist 'If People Like This Record'". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved April 24, 2015.
  43. ↑ "Kobalt press release". Kobaltmusic.com. 2011-01-24. Retrieved 2012-03-17.
  44. ↑ "Australia Music Charts - Top Album". hitparade.ch. Retrieved 2011-01-26.
  45. ↑ "austriancharts.at - Adam Lambert - For Your Entertainment chart history". 2010-05-28. Retrieved 2010-05-28.
  46. ↑ "Adam Lambert - For Your Entertainment". ultratop.be. Retrieved 2011-01-26.
  47. ↑ http://www.billboard.com/artist/278006/adam+lambert/chart
  48. 1 2 "Top 100 Music Hits, Top 100 Music Charts, Top 100 Songs & The Hot 100". Billboard.com. 2011-01-22. Retrieved 2011-01-26.
  49. ↑ Steffen Hung. "Adam Lambert - For Your Entertainment". danishcharts.com. Retrieved 2011-01-26.
  50. ↑ Steffen Hung. "Adam Lambert - For Your Entertainment". dutchcharts.nl. Retrieved 2011-01-26.
  51. ↑ Steffen Hung. "Adam Lambert - For Your Entertainment". finnishcharts.com. Retrieved 2011-01-26.
  52. ↑ "Adam Lambert Album". lescharts.com. Retrieved 2011-04-16.
  53. ↑ ":: MTV | Album Top 50 KW 3 | charts". Mtv.de. 2011-01-21. Retrieved 2011-01-26.
  54. ↑ Steffen Hung. "Adam Lambert - For Your Entertainment". greekcharts.com. Retrieved 2011-01-26.
  55. ↑ "Slágerlisták - Top 40 album- és válogatáslemez-lista" (in Hungarian). Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége. 2011-01-17. Retrieved 2011-01-26.
  56. ↑ "Irish Music Charts: Chart #1697". IRMA. 2010-05-06. Retrieved 2010-05-08.
  57. ↑ "fimi.it".
  58. ↑ http://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/artist/499147/products/music/855839/1/
  59. ↑ "New Zealand Chart: Chart #1697". RMNZ. 2009-11-30. Retrieved 2009-12-01.
  60. ↑ Steffen Hung. "''For Your Entertainment'' on Portuguese charts". Portuguesecharts.com. Retrieved 2012-03-17.
  61. ↑ Steffen Hung. "''For Your Entertainment'' on Swedish charts". Swedishcharts.com. Retrieved 2012-03-17.
  62. ↑ Steffen Hung (2011-01-16). "Swiss Charts - Albums Top 100 30.01.2011". swisscharts.com. Retrieved 2011-01-26.
  63. ↑ "Chart Stats - Adam Lambert". chartstats.com. Retrieved 2009-11-30.
  64. ↑ "Best of 2010 - Billboard Top 200". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved 2010-12-31.
  65. ↑ "ARIA Top 100 Albums 2010". Aria.com.au. Retrieved 2012-02-16.
  66. ↑ "ARIA -Adam Lambert certified albums". Aria.com.au. Retrieved 2011-03-03.
  67. ↑ "CRIA -Adam Lambert certified albums". Canadian Recording Industry Association (CRIA),. Retrieved 2011-03-03.
  68. ↑ "Rianz -Adam Lambert certified albums". Recording Industry Association of New Zealand,. Retrieved 2011-03-03.
  69. ↑ "American digital certifications – Adam Lambert – For Your Entertainment". Recording Industry Association of America. If necessary, click Advanced, then click Format, then select ', then click SEARCH
  70. 1 2 Real Bollywood (2010). "Adam Lambert's Album Sales Records Gold In Malaysia". Retrieved March 16, 2011.
  71. ↑ "iTunes Store". itunes.apple.com. Retrieved 2011-01-26.
  72. ↑ sonymusic.com.ph (2009-11-23). "Adam Lambert "For Your Entertainment" Philippine Album Release".
  73. ↑ "Adam Lambert (American Idol) - For Your Entertainment - CDs at Play.com (UK)". Play.com. 2010-09-27. Retrieved 2011-01-26.
  74. ↑ "Adam Lambert - For Your Entertainment - cd di Adam Lambert - - disco di Adam Lambert - IBS". Ibs.it. Retrieved 2011-01-26.

External links

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