Adam Lambert is Not Impressed

(Image via Facebook)

Adam Lambert has been on the social media buzz headlines the past couple of days, and not for his recent tribute to Madonna on VH1 Divas Live (see here if you missed it), but for his thoughts and critique on the music from Les Miserables, which opened on Christmas Day.

Just before the New Year, Adam tweeted: "Les Mis: Visually impressive [with] great emotional performances. But the score suffered massively with great actors PRETENDING to be singers." He continued on and also shared that, "I do think it was cool they were singing live- but with that cast, they should have studio recorded and sweetened the vocals." Got shade? Though to be fair, Adam also tweeted positive remarks on several members of the cast, such as praise for Anne Hathaway.

He finished his rant that first day with, "The industry will say 'these actors were so brave to attempt singing this score live' but why not cast actors who could actually sound good?" and saying that he knows this is "harsh." It all sparked a viral discussion, which Adam was thankful for, and went on the defensive: "... Look-I grew up [with] this musical and so my expectations are quite high. Didn't mean to [be] negative."

What was thought to end when the New Years Eve ball dropped in Times Square, the debate continued into 2013 when Russell Crowe, whom plays Javert, replied: "I don't disagree with Adam, sure it could have been sweetened, [director Tom] Hooper wanted it raw and real, that's how it is."

Last night, Adam reflected stating, "My movie review has gone viral. [You] can spend a whole year praising artists for inspiring work, but one critique gets all the attention. Funny."

"Those raw and real moments when characters broke down or were expressing the ugliness of the human condition were superb. However ... My personal opinion: there were times when the vocals weren't able to convey the power, beauty and grace that the score ALSO calls for." He brought up Anne again in his closing remarks, "One last thing though: Anne Hathaway was so good - had me tearing up. Oscar worthy performance for sure! Ok. #donediscussinglesmis"

According to MTV News, Crowe shared (ahead of the film's opening day) that if fans were expecting the film to be as polished as the stage play, they would be treated to something completely different. "They're going to expect the type of thing that they're used to, but I don't think it's anything like what they're used to," he said. "Even from the get-go, if you're familiar with Les Mis, the first line Javert sings is completely different -- you've never heard it before." Maybe this is where Adam's criticism of the singing arose from, the different film's music renditions could make any "purist" fan not impressed with some or all the songs. Or was he right in his critique, should studio recordings have been used?