INTRODUCTION TO THE ARTIST I think we can quite safely say that everyone knows of Amy Winehouse, but does everyone know about her? Did you know she is the first British female artist to claim 5 Grammy awards in one night? She may be in the tabloids day in day out for things she is getting up to in her personal life but you have to give credit where it is due she is also in the papers a lot because she is good at what she does in her professional life and her album Back to Black represents this. Amy Winehouse was born on the 14th September 1983 in London. Her musical talents were recognised when a demo tape landed in the hands of record label "Island" who instantly signed her up
INTRODUCTION TO BACK TO BLACK The album of 11 tracks followed the first album released by Amy titled "Frank" which was released in 2003. Back to Black was released in 2006 and has gone from strength to selling over 5 million copies worldwide and being voted best album of the year 2007.
FRONT COVER You would recognise the album in any shop as it has Amy Winehouse appearing and written across a black background. It doesn't scream look at me unlike some of her songs. It doesn't need to its nice, simple and does the job. You couldn't imagine Amy spending days in the photo studio to tart the cover up it is very much Amy Winehouse style a sitting pose looking quite thoughtful and in some ways troubled.
Here is a track list and what my views are on each song.
Rehab - This is probably the most well known song Amy has sung. It won the award of song of the year and still constantly paid on the radio. It is a real poppy song as it is quite fast paced and easy to sing a long to. It is the perfect album opener for sure because it is the thought of song that no matter what the words are the beat makes you happy and you want to play it out loud. We all know the words and we all know that in the end she had no choice to go to rehab in the end whether she said no no or not.
You know I'm no good - Another great hit that was release
into the charts. I think that most of the songs on this album relate to Amy's character one way or another and this one is no different. It is quite sombre and at the same time. The words are about sleeping with an ex and feeling like a fool and almost feeling sorry for yourself enough for someone to forgive you especially with the lyrics "I cheated myself, like I knew I would. I told you, I was trouble, you know that I'm not good"
Me and Mr Jones - This is a typical album song it starts off a lot like me and Mrs Jones minus the swearing obviously and is very much in jest it is set out in a musical style and is about now one standing in between me and my man " Me and Mr Jones" the best part is the end of the song where you hear a drum and symbol close which I quite enjoyed. It is the sort of song where you are too busy listening to the good instrumentals than the actual words.
Just Friends - The start of this song actually introduces in a way like a Mariah Carey song which is different from all the other tracks but soon loses all the cheesiness with the first swear word about 15 seconds in. I believe it to be about friends who sleep together when they shouldn't I don't know if that is what it is about but that's what I get from the song when I hear the words "It's never safe for us, not even in the evening Cos I've been drinking" and "no I'm not ashamed, but the guilt will kill you, If she don't first, I'll never love you like her" It is very much a jazzy style of tune with repetitive words "When will we get the time to be just, just friends?" Its easy listening with very good instrumentals in the background.
Back to Black - I can see why this is the title for the album because it has to be the most distinctive part of Amy's life because "I say a hundred times if you go back to her I'll go back to black" is all about Amy's relationship with Blake she took him away from his girlfriend and ended up marrying him and to Amy I can imagine this is the most important thing that has ever happened to her. I like the song because it has a nice relaxing beat and Amy's voice sounds really soulful.
Love is a losing game - This is a lovely song. Its very much a song from the heart and has a nice smooth lullaby tune almost the type you would like to fall asleep to but in a good way. It's the sort of song you would hear over a romantic scene in a movie especially with the lyrics "oh what a mess we've made now the final frame, love is a losing game". People think Amy is mad but the words in songs like this prove she is just like us all and has real feelings.
Tears dry on their own - This is a song that gets me on the dance floor it is catchy without being annoying, I could sit and sing it all right now without even meaning to. I really like it because the song means so much without being difficult to understand. What person doesn't relate to the line "But in my own way my deep shame my tears dry on their own" we've all been there
Wake up alone - What a soulful track it starts with quite a long musical intro unlike a lot of the other tracks on this album. It is full of meaningful lines that relate very much to everyone and quite obviously Amy. It is a nice slow track that makes you have a trail of thought. I especially like the lines "When I catch myself I do a 180, I stay up clean the house, at least I'm not drinking. Run around just so I don't have to think about thinking"
Some unholy war - I like this song because it is different to the rest it begins a bit like my girl with the beats, it is slow paced and very much a background song. It is ok if your trying to concentrate on something or having a dinner party because it is a nice mellow tune. I don't believe it to be strong enough to be released and is a little boring if you listen to it properly but not all of the songs are going to be to everyone's taste.
He can only hold her - This is my favourite song of the album because you hear all the different styles Amy can sing in and swearing is kept to a minimum, she actually even sounds like a woman in parts too! I don't
Pictures of Back To Black - Amy Winehouse
Front of album
think it will get released because it isn't catchy enough and isn't very long compared to the other tracks.
Addicted - This song makes me laugh it is a typical Amy Winehouse song you wouldn't hear it on anyone else's album besides some rapper like Eminen or Dr Dre. It is the sort of track that is hey this is my album I can do it so I'm gonna do it! I dint think it is supposed to be taken serious especially when you hear the words "So bring me a bag and your man can come back I'll check him at the door make sure he got green, I'm tighter than airport security teams, When you smoke all my weed man" Ok the song is all about drugs and of course you cant condone that but lets face it we all know what were letting ourselves in for when we listen to Amy's material and if you don't like it just don't listen to it. Controversy aside and forgetting the actual words that are being sung you find yourself remembering the words and after listening to it a couple of times actually singing along which is what makes a good song.
HOW MUCH and WHERE TO BUY FROM? I purchased my copy of Back to Black from the online retailer Amazon for £6.99 but you will be able to pick up a copy from good music stores such as Zavvi, HMV, Big W, an online retailer such as CD wow or from your local supermarket such as Tesco's Sainsburys and Asda for a similar price.
CONCLUSION Although people talk about Amy Winehouse for the bad things she does you have to give her credit also for the good things she does like this wonderful album Back to Black. Every track isn't going to appeal to everyone but I honestly believe you cannot listen to this album and not enjoy just one track.
Some of the tracks on this album seem a little bit rough around the edges but this album shows raw talent at its best Amy has a brilliant unique voice hats off to Island for finding her and entertaining us with an album as good as this.
Don't judge an album by the artist. If you haven't already purchased or downloaded this album do it now you will be pleasantly surprised. There are poppy, mellow and soul songs on here. The voice is good and the instrumentals in each track are brilliant. I think this is the perfect album for listening to in the car each track is different from the last and a lot of them are so catchy you find yourself singing along to them at the traffic lights. The one I enjoy singing to the most is Rehab it is catchy sticks in your head as the lyrics are so funny "They tried to make me go to rehab I said no no no" especially as that is where she ended up but aren't we glad she complied this album before she did.
The album is for me a 9/10 because I don't think its perfect no album out there is but after hearing material Amy Winehouse has released since this album was released there should definitely be another award winning completion to hit the shops.
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Fantastic review and you are right don;t judge an album by the artist if that was the case I wouldn;t have bought this and would have missed out on a great album Helen xx
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...
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...
Postage & Packaging: £1.21 Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
Mar 23rd, 2008
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