Of course she's not trouble! What made you think otherwise?
Written: Oct 26 '09
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Ms. Winehouse offers soulful singing with jazzy backing and darkly humorous lyrics.
Cons: Repetitive in spots.
The Bottom Line: One album that actually lives up to the hype.
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| jeff_wilder78's Full Review: Back to Black by Amy Winehouse |
Of course a lot has happened since this album was released in early 2007. Of course, a lot more has happened since I bought it about a year later. Of course we all know how Amy Winehouse has proceeded to hop on the proverbial highway to an early demise that the likes of Jimi, Janis and Kurt already rode down. At the same time, we all know how Ms. Winehouse's Back to Black album has been elevated to the level of current day classic. There's probably not a person alive who hasn't (consciously or subconsciously) snapped their fingers to "Rehab" or one of the other 10 songs on here at some point in the past 2 years. So I probably do not need to write this review as everything that's needed to be said about the disc has been said. But I might as well, seeing as I've listened to it enough to know it inside and out.
As a singer, Ms. Winehouse is hard to fit into any one category. At heart Back to Black is a soul album. But it doesn't fit comfortably alongside albums by the likes of Usher or Keri Hilson (who for the most part have no soul anyway). No, this draws more from the likes of Billie Holiday. At times, Amy's singing recalls that of Shirley Bassey. And the music draws from classic jazz and soul. In essence Amy Winehouse is like Anthony Hamilton in that she takes classic sounds and feeds them through a post-modern sensibility to create a distinctive approach.
That Shirley Bassey influence becomes apparent on "You Know I'm No Good" the second track on the album (after the aforementioned "Rehab"). Over a classic 60s jazzy backing (complete with horns) Amy reiterates her love for being bad complete with lines like "by the time I'm out the door/You tear men down like Roger Moore". This song along with "Rehab" and the following one "Me and Mr. Jones" should offer indication whether or not the Winehouse style is for you.
"Me and Mr. Jones" is not a gender-reversing remake of that Billy Paul number. No, it's a superb put-down of the cheating man done in a style that recalls classic 60s girl groups. Of course, Diana Ross would never sing a line like "what kind of fuckery is this/you made me miss the Slick Rick gig...nothing gonna stand between me and my man Mr. Jones".
Speaking of The Supremes, is it just me or does the opening of the title track of Back to Black sound like it was sampled from "Baby Love"? Either way, it's a superb number about ending an affair with a married man. Likewise, we have "Tears Dry on Their Own" which samples the opening of that classic Marvin Gaye/Tammi Terrell duet "Ain't No Mountain High Enough" for a sing-along break-up number.
Of course, we can't forget the inescapable single "Rehab". Over a jazzy piano lick, Ms. Winehouse repeatedly drives home the point that she will not go to al-anon. No no no. The autobiographical number is not a celebration of drinking. But rather an alcoholic's first-person account of the need for booze and the denial that one is an addict.
Lest one think this is just an album of addiction, lost love and infidelity "Some Unholy War" mixes political commentary with a declaration of fidelity.
So yes, this album is deserving of all the praise handed to it in the past 2 years. The only question now is: Where will Ms. Winehouse go from here? On the plus side, she has a distinctive personal style. The problem is what helped her develop that distinctive style may wind up killing her. I only hope I don't end up pulling out this CD in 2-3 years and wonder what might have been, the same way I end up doing with The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill.
For now though, this stands as one of the best albums to emerge from the plastic pop era that the 2000s are shaping up to be music wise. Give it a listen if you haven’t yet.
Recommended:
Yes
Great Music to Play While: Hanging With Friends
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Member: Jeff Wilder
Location: Sunrise Florida USA
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