USA Today Album Preview

by: Brian Mansfield

Adam Lambert Untitled (Nov. 24)

Preview: How much did America really learn about Adam Lambert on American Idol this year? Only that he's the most enigmatic, visually exciting performer in the show's run. Lambert's second-place finish did nothing to dampen the enthusiasm for his debut, which the singer has described as modernizing glam and classic '70s rock sounds with electronic and dance elements. If his set on the Idols Live tour is any indication, it'll fall somewhere between Led Zeppelin and Muse, between Tears for Fears and David Bowie.

Precursor: Details of the album remain sketchy, though his collaborators have included some of pop music's hottest producers — RedOne (Lady Gaga), Max Martin (Kelly Clarkson), Ryan Tedder (OneRepublic) and Greg Wells (Katy Perry).

Prejudgment: Will Lambert become the international superstar that judge Simon Cowell predicted? Or will he wind up merely being the object of an obsessively devoted cult following? Either way, his debut should be one of the most fascinating albums — and music stories — of the season.