In the wake of negative press that Adam Lambert’s controversial American Music Awards Performance left behind, the talented young singer is now just focusing on the music. Lambert sang his heart out on The Ellen DeGeneres Show (airing December 1st), singing a powerful rendition of the album track, “Whataya Want From Me,” which was co-written by singer and P!nkMax Martin. Perfection. This is exactly the kind of performance that Adam needs to be doing going forward. I’m not saying that all of this flack that he’s been getting is completely justified, in fact I do agree that there’s a certain double standard in play here – but this was just a smart move on the part of Adam and his management. Just Adam, a microphone and his fabulous rock-star voice. No theatrics or spectacle. Hopefully this is the kind of performance we can expect when Adam Lambert joins Barbara Walters, Whoopie Goldberg and the the other ladies of The View on December 10th.
Australian pop singer Gabriella Cilmi (whom I absolutely love) is readying new material for her follow up to 2008’s Lessons To Be Learned. Gabriella has been keeping her fans posted via her official blog and Twitter. According to a recent Tweet, Cilimi’s apparently met with her label’s A&R reps and new material should be premiering very shortly. Going in a decidedly more sexy direction than her last album, Cilmi worked with Xenomania & Greg Kurstin, Dallas Austin and Danger Mouse (one half of Gnarls Barkley). According to Cilmi, “[the album was] inspired by Donna Summer, Flashdance and 80s disco.” This sounds potentially HOT! The album is due out early next year, preceded by the first single and video. “The first single is all about unleashing your inner super-hero and it’s a big anthem for women.” Brilliant! Can’t wait to hear Gabriella’s new stuff. I always thought she had an interesting voice.
Kelis is one of those rare artists whose entire collection I own. Ever since I took a chance and purchased Kaleidoscope at my local college music shop, I was hooked. Kaleidoscope = brilliant. 2001’s Wanderland wasn’t so much my cup of tea, but she redeemed herself with 2003’s Tasty, known as the album that made Kelis famous here in the U.S. Meanwhile, her 2006 album Kelis Was Here bombed in my book, and on the charts. Not so coincidentally, Kelis Was Here was the first album without her long time collaborators The Neptunes. If this pattern of one brilliant album followed by one not so brilliant album is any indication, her new album is going to be HOT and so far, things are heating up nicely. Newly signed to Will.I.Am Music Group via Interscope/Geffen Kelis will be releasing the David Guetta produced single “Acapella,” which has already been getting attention since it premiered online on November 23rd. Entertainment Weekly added “Accapella” to it’s Must List in the December 11th issue on newsstands right now. Other collaborators include will.I.Am, Free School, Boyz Noize, Burnze and DJ Ammo.
Yeah, Yeah, I know I’m a bit late here regarding the Grammy Nominations. I can’t say I’m too shocked or appalled by any of the results, aside from maybe Whitney Houston snub. When I saw that Whitney wasn’t nominated, I assumed that it was because her album wasn’t released in time for consideration, but then I read reports that producers rushed the album into release in part to be considered for a Grammy. Other than that, things played out as I expected them to with artists like Beyonce (10 nominations), Taylor Swift (8 nominations), The Black Eyed Peas (6 nominations) and Kanye West (6 nominations). Included amongst this years Album of the Year nominees are Lady Gaga’s The Fame as well as albums from Beyonce, Taylor Swift, The Black Eyed Peas and Dave Matthews Band. As for record of the year, we have Beyonce’s “Halo,” “I Gotta Feeling” by the Black Eyed Peas, Kings Of Leon’s hit single “Use Somebody,” “Poker Face” and Swift’s “You Belong With Me.” Up for Song of the Year this year we have “Poker Face,” “Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It),” “Use Somebody,” Maxwell’s “Pretty Wings” and “You Belong With Me.” Best new artists include the Zac Brown Band, Keri Hilson, The Ting Tings, MGMT and the Silversun Pickups. Check out a full list of nominees at Grammy.com.