I've handed in my notice, so for the next couple of week I have some time on my hands! :-)
I've handed in my notice, so for the next couple of week I have some time on my hands! :-)
Member since:31.07.2002
Reviews:76
Members who trust:48
It's hard to believe that a few years ago, Amy Winehouse was known more for her attitude-filled jazzy music than for her drug and drink problems. Frank was her first album, which I really loved. I've only just dug it back out and I was suprised by how witty, clever and talented Amy used to be before drugs got to her.
Frank opens with "Stronger Than Me", a scathing song directed at a boyfriend. Amy throws insults at him in a witty and unforgiving fashion, questioning his manhood and sexuality, spelling out in no uncertain terms that she doesn't view theirs as a serious relationship. Amy makes it clear that she is a talented lyricist by making the focus of this album the frank and honest lyrics rather than the subdued jazz accompaniments.
"You Sent Me Flying", the second track, is a highlight of the album for me - there is a certain vulnerability in the lyrics as she sings about being rejected by a romantic prospect for being too young. The same gutsy
attitude and honesty is still evident, though, with Amy singing about how her "pride is not easily disturbed".
This track also includes a bonus track of sorts, where Amy sings a little ditty about her new guitar - it's pretty good, and shows that she is capable of injecting some sweetness into her voice when she wants to.
The album then moves on to "Know You Now", which is a bit of a weak link for me - it's pretty repetitive and doesn't really contain the cutting-edge lyrics Winehouse has penned for the rest of the tracks.
"Fuck Me Pumps" was one of the tracks that got Winehouse some of her first press - a no-holds-barred attack on a certain kind of girl (Jodie Marsh probably wouldn't like the song much...), Amy again makes the focus of the song on her voice and lyrics with a very simple accompaniment. This song is pretty difficult not to chuckle to on the tube - especially when the line "at least your breasts cost more than hers" comes along...
The next highlight of the album comes straight away in the form of "I Heard Love is Blind", a witty confession where Amy admits to cheating on her partner while he was away. "I couldn't resist him, his eyes were like yours, his hair was exactly the shade of brown. He's just not as tall, but I couldn't tell, it was dark and I was lying down", she explains. A great track, and the kind of thing that helped make Winehouse so popular.
We move into some more traditional jazz with "Moody's Mood For Love", which reminds me of Ella Fitzgerald's vocals. Amy's voice is shown off beautifully in this track, and she takes a break from the tone of the preceeding tracks. "(There Is) No Greater Love" is in a similar vein, with a real Billie Holliday or Ella Fitzgerald vibe to it, but at a slower pace. The lyrics again are soft and romantic rather than blunt and abrasive, making this track seem a little out of character on the album.
"In My Bed" takes a different direction, with a driving rhythm and more prominent backing track. A return to lyrical form for Winehouse, who tells the unfortunate subject of the track that his place in her bed may not be safe. This one's a bit of a let down for me - it feels badly produced and a bit throwaway.
"Take The Box" was one of the most critically acclaimed singles from the album, but it's not one of my favourite tracks. It is fairly contemporary and a little less jazz-style than some of my preferred songs. This slow, laid-back song does show off Amy's voice very well though, with the raw emotion being evident throughout.
This is followed by "October Song" - a likeable tune, but feels a little lacking in effort compared to some of the others, in terms of backing, lyrics and performance.
Our next track is "What Is It About Men" - predictably a moan about the opposite sex. This is actually one of the best tracks on the album - it shows more maturity than rants like "Fuck Me Pumps" with a great self-reflective lyric and laid back modern lounge style.
The rest of the album is brought upbeat by "Help Yourself" and "Amy Amy Amy", with some now familiar scathing lyrics in "Help Yourself", set to a retro backing track; and a driving beat and self-aware and sexy lyrics in "Amy Amy Amy". A somewhat lacklustre bonus track appears at the end of "Amy Amy Amy", which isn't a great end to the album - I usually skip it.
This was a great debut from Amy Winehouse, showing her to have been sharp, intelligent and very talented both as a vocalist and a lyricist. It makes her current state seem even more of a waste after giving this another listen - she really is a unique talent, and hopefully there will be more great music in this vein to come from Winehouse in the future.
How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
With her debut album Frank, Amy Winehouse proves to be one of the most original, honest ... more
and brave singer/songwriters to emerge in recent years. Over the course of the 13 songs, she manages to do everything required of a classic album. This is a stark p...
Postage & Packaging: Free! Availability: Usually dispatched within 24 hours...
Stronger Than Me (Jazz Intro) You Send Me Flying (Cherry) Know You Now Fuck Me Pumps I ... more
Heard Love Is Blind Moody's Mood For Love (Teo Licks) (There Is) No Greater Love In My Bed Take The Box October Song What It Is About Men Help Yourself Amy Amy Amy (...
Postage & Packaging: £0.00 Availability: 3-5 working days
![Frank [Explicit] - Amy Winehouse (MP3-Download)](http://images.ciao.com/ide/images/icons/no_pic_generic_S1.gif "Frank [Explicit] - Amy Winehouse (MP3-Download)"){kind=icon}
Oct 8th, 2008
very helpful by (100%):
![I'm Not Dead [PA] - Pink](http://imagesa.ciao.com/iuk/images/products/small/580/prod_small-6397580.jpg)
![River Is Wide, The [Remastered] - Forum (The)](http://imagesb.ciao.com/iuk/images/products/small/251/prod_small-6006251.jpg)
