14-6-09 Can't believe I haven't written a review for the whole of 2009, watch this space...
14-6-09 Can't believe I haven't written a review for the whole of 2009, watch this space...
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Troubled musical icon, Amy Winehouse, has been on the mend and then back on the drugs the next day just as much as the rest of the stars around her. These high-profile falls from grace have been well documented since she became one of the largest musical exports the UK has had for years with the release of 2006s 'Back to Black' album. Still only young at 24 years of age, many people may struggle to understand why such a talented individual spends so much time in the tabloids for all the wrong reasons, however Winehouse has always been one to stand out from the crowd. Whether this be for her distinctive vocals, patented beehive hairstyle, or drunkenly trying to cover up her poor state of mind with stage presence. The success of 'Back to Black' worldwide gave the star five Grammy awards, making her the first British artist to reach such an achievement. Amy Winehouse also found a well-rounded appeal with different audiences, including an anecodote of Jay-Z, the wealthiest rapper in the world, wandering through an airport singing her familiar lyrics.
1. REHAB (3:31)
"They're trying to make me go to rehab" Probably the song that put Amy on the map, the lyrics for the song were inspired after her old management team encouraged her to seek help for her alcohol problem, and this apparently gave her an idea for a hit record. Of course this lead track to the album
can now be used to sum up many stars position, especially around that stint last year where they all seemed to be in and out of various clinics; Britney Spears, Lindsay Lohan.. 'Rehab' only peaked at #7 in the UK chart, whilst peaking at #9 in the 'States Billboard 100. Everything about the track oozes Amy's dark state of mind, and you will not mistake this for any other song.
2. YOU KNOW I'M NO GOOD (4:17)
I cheated myself, like I knew I would
For a follow-up release to her first single off the album, Winehouse seemed to stumble just the one track on. I can't say I actually remember the release of this track, and that shows by its chart place of #18 in the UK. After her Grammy success, this track has been re-released in America currently peaking at #77, which is a place higher than its original release. I can't say I am overly fond of this song, and if I was in some sort of depressed state I'm sure this track would make me all the more bitter. Once again there is a mix of jazz with hip hop beats, that somehow allows this song to qualify as R&B. Not feeling it.
3. ME AND MR JONES (2.33)
What kind of f*ckery is this?Not some sort of female cover to the classic, 'Me and Mrs Jones,' but rather this track tries to continue the albums jazzy introduction with a less conventional take on the romance of a track with the names Jones in either the name or artists place. Thank god she kept this short.
4. JUST FRIENDS (3:13)
When will get, the time to be...
The introduction to this track seemed to be slightly different to all of the songs previous, so it was somewhat relieving to feel that this maybe something new. There is some strange beat almost every second that gives you the vision of a clown squeeking a horn, so if you're not a fan of Amy's voice already this track may send you through the roof. 'Just Friends' does continue with the whole relationship message of the album, that has been constant throughout up until this point. You'll get bored of this.
5. BACK TO BLACK (4:03)
He left no time to regret, kept his dick wet One of my favourite tracks from the album, this was the third released single. Whilst you could argue that this is just as depressing as all the tracks prior, if not previous, there is something that is almost uplifting about the beat to the song. Despite Winehouse working with very reputable British producer, Mark Ronson, on the track - not to mention an artistically shot video with imagery comparing her doomed love affair to that of a funeral - the track only managed to chart at #25 in the UK. This has not been released as a single to the American audience, however has peaked at #2 in the Israel singles chart.
6. LOVE IS A LOSING GAME (2:35)
More than I could stand, love is a losing hand
The fifth and final single release from the album, Winehouse had no problem in milking this album for all it had, meaning it only charted at #46 well over a year after the albums original release. This was further doomed to be unsuccessful due to the stars personal issues, as she failed to turn up for a £70,000 video shoot, meaning the video was then made out of clips. A very slow moving song, reminiscent of something an elderly couple may dance to.
7. TEARS DRY ON THEIR OWN (3:06)
He takes the day but I'm grownWhat could be more of a sad vision than the idea of tears, but surprisingly three tracks from the end, the idea of the drying of tears has created the most happy go lucky song yet. The track appears to have returned to the stars routes of being distinctive for all the right reasons, and is truly a single-along soulful song. As the fourth single release from the album, it peaked at #16 in the UK charts and a reputatable #40 in the US Billboard Hot Adult R&B.
8. WAKE UP ALONE (3:42)
Got so sick of crying
That sound, it could only be the makings of another slow, sad, track. As you would expect the track is about waking up alone and her struggle to pick herself up on her lonesome, stopping herself from crying. Listening to this all the way through, I had to hold back my tears. Awful.
9. SOME UNHOLY WAR (2:22)
He can't lose with me in towInterestingly as we're coming to the end of the album the tracks appear to be getting shorter, and bringing a nice tidy end to the album hopefully. Sadly there is nothing new to this track and it has a beat that sounds like many we have heard before. Boring.
10. HE CAN ONLY HOLD HER (2.46)
Cause whats inside never dies
The most free spirited beat I have heard since 'Tears', a chance to save the album from being very hit and miss doesn't look very likely when you have under three minutes to create a hit record in. The message of the track sounds to be of strong relationships.
AMY CRACKHOUSE?
You see the question, has all the attention she has received been warranted on the basis of her erratic behavior outside of the music business, or does she truly receive recognition for her talents? She sure does have a voice on her, but I don't think the whole jazz album idea was down my route, and apart from a few highly publicised tracks on the album its a complete miss for me. More recently Leona Lewis had her album panned for all sounding the same, and I don't see how this Brit didn't get the same treatment. In closing, it will be interesting to see what Amy Winehouse does with any third album she maybe considering, and if it can match the #1 and #2 spots it has peaked at in the UK and US charts, not to mention the close to 8 million copies she has sold due to her continued newspaper presence.
Pictures of Back To Black - Amy Winehouse
Back to Black (Album)
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Nice review...She's much better without the drugs!......why the drugs anyway?
lizawithaz 04.03.2008 19:31
God I absolutely love this album! The review completely does it justice! Well done! Liz :-) xx
abcdefg 03.03.2008 22:02
I'm very confused when it comes to Amy. I'm not sure if I like her or not and more importantly whether I should (morally) or not. I think her publicity at the moment could have a negative effect on her younger audience - showing that if you drink and take drugs, you too could win 5 BAFTAS??? My op only! Fantastic review BTW, Lisa x
Amy Winehouse's second album,Back to Black, is one of the finest soul albums, British or ... more
otherwise, to come out for years.Frank, her first album, was a sparse and stripped-down affair;Back to Black, meanwhile, is neither of these things. This time arou...
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Amy Winehouse's second album, Back to Black, is one of the finest soul albums, British or ... more
otherwise, to come out for years. Frank, her first album, was a sparse and stripped-down affair; Back to Black, meanwhile, is neither of these things. This time a...
Postage & Packaging: Free! Availability: Usually dispatched within 24 hours...
Feb 28th, 2008
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