As an aspiring music industry professional, I often find myself measuring the mainstream trends, before they even happen. No, it's not because I'm a music dork with nothing better to do. But I find it interesting how the impact of something as simple as timing, can effect thousands of people. Of course, we see this impact every year with American Idol. Not only are the lives of those vocalists involved changed forever, but sometimes as fans, we get caught up in the moment. Think to yourself, how many times have you seen someone on the show, found a point to relate, and were hooked from there on out. Some call it an obsession, some call it inspiration, and some would just shelf it as a production gimmick. Either way, I see it as fate.

I believe Adam said it best when he said that some people are brought into our lives for a reason. I'm sure through his struggles in West Hollywood, he knows this better than anyone else. But in the end, as fans of his music, what is expected of us? Why were each of us as individuals brought into his life, and how can we play a part? I often find it funny when fans call upon each other to vote in silly internet polls, call radio stations, or even do promotional campaigns. But funny thing is, I never saw myself as a fan. I'm always in the awkward position to where I want to get involved, but because of my knowledge of the industry, never get the opportunities that are relevant to my strengths. With Adam, I know I as well will never have that ability to be fully involved. But I thought since this site offered a blog, that I would use it to share my thoughts on his career.

From an industry perspective, it's always important to play off your strengths, and know who you are as an artist. When Adam entered Idol, he was a theatre personality, with a slight rock background. However, I think it's safe to say, while he didn't have any career objection, he knew exactly where he wanted to go with his experience. Each week on Idol, he showed through his crafted stage presence, and his all star voice. But what's next?

Immediately after the show ended, I thought about what might be best for Adam. In doing so, I came up with a solution, which could change the face of the industry, as well as establishing his career. First, I think it's important to keep a balance between Adam's strengths, who he is as an individual, and the compromises of mainstream industry. With this said, it's also important for someone with his image to stand out in the crowd, and do something that will make him an industry authority, regardless of how his career shapes.

First, I think we should talk about what his first album could have been. This is not to say that I am unhappy with what has happened. But I am disappointed that someone so unconventional, did nothing but play by the rules. When in fact, his fame from American Idol could have established his career from day one after the tour.

With a rock voice and theatre background, I think it's important to have one or two songs written by great songwriters, so that singles and sales can be generated. However, with someone in tune with himself as much as Adam is, I believe that he has a story that he wants to tell. More importantly, this is a story that I also believe thousands of fans are wanting to hear. With his ability to take on a character, become honest with himself, and write a song, its no secret that a concept album would be in order. A concept album is usually a huge risk, even more so out of the gate. Yet if an artist is willing to make a statement for themselves, it's often times a major risk that leads to success. To give a few examples on multiple levels, look at Pink. Here is someone that the industry partly shut out. Sure, they had faith in her abilities. But at the same time, they didn't understand what made her different as an individual, as well as an artist. She knew herself well, and was willing to take a risk on her ability. For all we know, at this point, Pink could have been an undiscovered talent, pushed into the relm of so many one hit wonders. Yet today she is one of the top females acts in the pop/rock genre. To give a rock based example, look at the Smashing Pumpkins. While it was their third album, the band really didn't pick up steam until their second release. Off that release, the band decided to make a statement and create a double disc album. Surely this was career suicide. But not only did the band have faith in their abilities, but also faith in the story they wanted to tell. As it stands, Mellon Collie And The Infinite Sadness is one of the top selling double albums of all time. Score one more for the risk takers!

Just imagine it now.. An album with not only a deep meaning in every song, but a wall of sound that would blow your mind. Raging guitars, followed by massive orchestration, followed by mellow piano melodies, all with an emotional connection to each and every listener. Oh yeah.. not to mention one or two of those songs sneaking up behind you, and taking that number one spot away from cookie cutter talents like Taylor Swift. Imagine the reviews and billboards. "A musical roller coaster", or even "album of the year" based on its creative merit alone, not to mention the overall brilliance of the vocalist.

However, I feel that through an album of good material that is disconnection from each other, the only song that may support my idea is Soaked. Here is a song that is not only complex vocally, but offers melody changes that show a more complex meaning. I love it.. But while it can never become a valid single, I believe it shows a lot more artistic creativity, than songs like For Your Entertainment ever could.

But for a second, lets skip back to the matter at hand. Adam was an American Idol contestant. A heavily supported contestant at that. Therefore, there is a perspective that states no matter what he put out, fans would buy it. So, if there were any doubts about the idea of a concept album, I think this would have been a win/win situation. It would have not only put Adam on the map as an artist, but one that would completely separate him from the American Idol standard. After all, isn't that what he wanted, to not be the standard conventional artist?

Moving forward.. despite the success of albums in today's industry, touring is a business in its own. Tours can often times bring in a different audience than album sales. In fact, in an economy like we are in now, it seems to bring out the most dedicated fans. However, I think most artists don't understand the possibilities of expanding their fan base, through a successful tour. This is an idea that screams out to me with Adam. Adam is a full on stage performer. Therefore, he has the ability to take a song, and completely transform it into something else in person. With this said, a concept album would have given him the ability to not only individually express each song, but find a connection between each song, and create a show, rather than a concert. And why not..? Adam has the type of ability to engage both mainstream and Broadway audiences. So why not try to bring the two together? Why not offer a completely different unconventional experience to equal with an already unconventional album? If anything, it can create a division between those that like Adam as a artist, and those that like Adam as a performer. It would open up so many different possibilities down the line. But also an ever expanding artist is often times what makes the most established talents.

To give a few examples, look at an artist such as KISS. KISS not only had a following with their music, but also a stage show of its own. If you want to pull from two recent examples, lets first look at theatre transitions. Sure, musicals are great. But when productions like Rent and Wicked started, it brought theatre into the mainstream, based on its musical roots in rock and other contemporary imagery. Not only did this fuel theatre audiences, but introduced a whole new world to many avid music fans. Heck, if you want to pull from American Idol, look at Clay Aiken. While he hasn't had the most successful career, he even did a tour or two that supported the idea of a show. And while this wasn't successful by industry standards, it still stands as one of his biggest success stories.

Now we sit here, after the first album release, and Adam wants to do a small theatre tour. I can't help but beat my head against the wall, since I came up with a similar idea months ago. Either way, my question to Adam would be, how do you put all the material together? How do you create a full show, based on all Top 40 rock and dance songs, which don't tell a intelligent story that supports you as an artist? And most of all, how do you get the label to support such a big risk, when you weren't willing to take the risks to begin with?

Of course, I'm still a big fan. But I feel that Adam has so much more to offer the industry, than just playing the game. I hope that since the artist's second album is what usually establishes them, Adam will learn from his mistakes, and rise above the standard. After all, as much as artists like David Bowie and Lady GaGa are cool, you are Adam Lambert. Now, lets see what you can do.