The Bottom Line
Perhaps Adam Lambert's single from the soundtrack to the epic disaster movie 2012 should be titled, "Maybe It's Time for a Power Ballad." The current pop music environment is so dominated by uptempo music at the moment, a true classic power ballad feels like an exhilarating breath of fresh air. Add to that feeling that this is also a very very good one that I suspect would make Jim Steinman and Aerosmith's Steven Tyler proud. Those who have waited patiently to hear new music from Adam Lambert are very unlikely to be disappointed with "Time for Miracles."
Pros
- Adam Lambert's huge, edge of tears vocals
- Rob Cavallo's wall of strings and guitars production
- Words that pluck at the heart
Cons
- Perhaps misses a true total payoff moment of exhilaration
Description
- Written by Alain Johannes and Natasha Shneider
- Produced by Rob Cavallo
- Released October 2009 by RCA
Guide Review - Adam Lambert - "Time for Miracles"
"Time for Miracles" makes sure it does not sound bland and ordinary from the very beginning. The opening chiming sounds almost sound a bit like holiday music and then there is an edge of country-rock blurring the direction the song might take. However, once Adam Lambert begins to sing 17 seconds in we know he will keep our focus on his voice sweeping away the production no matter how large. "Time for Miracles" plays heavily on Adam Lambert's ability to sing as if there is a vale of tears just beneath the surface of his vocals. It brings to mind his stunning performance of "Mad World" on American Idol.
The song "Time for Miracles" is powerful in its own right. The lyrics are specifically about a relationship in trouble, but the chorus, "Maybe its time for miracles," works quite well in trailers for 2012 as we watch the world itself falling into destruction. A miracle would seem the only option for saving our planet. In addition songs about miracles are naturals for the holiday season on its way. As Simon Cowell might say on American Idol, song choice can be everything.
Producer Rob Cavallo, the man best known for his work on Green Day's epic American Idiot, provides an arrangement dense with strings and screaming guitars. The sheer volume of the backing track allows Adam Lambert to explode into his stunning upper vocal range without overpowering the rest of the recording. He can swagger and sway through the song to his heart's content.
"Time for Miracles" is likely to be one of the bestselling singles yet by an American Idol contestant with the anticipation built up for this record and the fact that it delivers quite admirably on Adam's Lambert promise that he demonstrated last spring. It is a month out from the release of the still untitled solo album, but "Time for Miracles" is likely to ratchet up the anticipation a few more levels. Adam Lambert is one of the most exciting new recording artists to appear on the pop music scene in the past decade.
