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It doesn't take much listening to Amy Winehouse's 1960s pop period piece to realize that this is a tribute with an edge--nice girls back then didn't sing about boozing and rehab. Since her 2003 debut album, FRANK, Winehouse has been a frequent presence on the gossip pages of the U.K. tabloids, and her songwriting here candidly reflects her experiences with drinking, sex, and drugs.
BACK TO BLACK's production is an artful blend of sophisticated '60s R&B and 21st-century stylistic poaching, with "Tears Dry on Their Own" incorporating elements of Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell's "Ain't No Mountain High Enough," and Winehouse sounding like Billie Holiday fronting a reggae band on the old-fashioned cheating song "Just Friends." Densely packed with musical history and often conjuring a dark, Portishead-esque atmosphere, BACK TO BLACK is a sumptuous-sounding collection freighted with blunt confessionals of a lush life.
UK version with alternate track 'Addiction" not on the USA. 11 tracks.Rolling Stone (p.76) - 3 stars out of 5 -- "Winehouse is a nervy, witty songstress whom indie rockers, pop fans and hip-hoppers can dig."
Rolling Stone (p.115) - Included in Rolling Stone's "50 Top Albums of the Year 2007" -- "[W]ith a brassy, intensely personal sorrow that is true blues, not nouveau soul."
Spin (p.79) - "[A] breakthrough, producers Salaam Remi and Mark Ronson surround her with brass sections, string sections, harp, Wurlitzer, the works."
Entertainment Weekly (p.67) - "It's precisely Winehouse's lyrics...aching, flirty, and often straight-up nasty -- that raise this expertly crafted set into the realm of true, of-the-minute originality." -- Grade: A-
Q (Magazine) (p.134) - 4 stars out of 5 -- "Winehouse is one of the best things to have happened to British pop recently."
Amy Winehouse - Back To Black Songs
Back To Black Music Review
Average Rating: (4.1 out of 5 stars)    List All 38 Reviews Double WOW
Great new/old vocal sound. At first didn't appreciate the total sound, a little muted, a little too Phil Spector, but the three producers put together a great sound experience. She's a knock-out with vocals somewhere between Motown and Ella Fitzgerald. Jazzy/Rocky/Rappy, it all works.
Submitted by Danderoo (Cincy, OHIO, USA)
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Modern classic
Amy Winehouse's second album 'BACK TO BLACK' has been a big hit in the UK, and it's a rare occasion where the public have taken to real, sophisticated music.
The album is a swift and concise 35-min affair, with eleven funny, frank, romantic songs showcasing Amy's powerhouse voice (she's a 23-year-old white Jewish girl from London but sounds like a fortysomething American black soul singer) and much-improved writing skills. "Rehab" is hilarious and catchy, "You Know I'm No Good" a sexy, bewitching, jazz-tinged tango, "Me and Mr. Jones" another frank, funny soul stomper, and "Back to Black" classic '60s girl-group melodrama. Everywhere else there's something brilliant and inspired to hear.
Amy's got a very bright future, and this will remain a modern classic and a high watermark in recent pop music.
Submitted by Lee (England, UK)
Was This Review Helpful? Yes No really good
amazing- classic soul with a twist. it's great
Submitted by gurkerl (Boston)
Was This Review Helpful? Yes No Wow!
A rare, soulful voice. Well-written songs with expert production. Stylistically, the album blends jazz vocals, 60s girl group soul, Ska and hip hop. "Rehab" and "Me & Mr. Jones" are favorites, but the entire disc is great.
It's worth the ridiculous Import price, but if you can wait a month or two it will be released in the U.S. at more typical prices.
Submitted by a reviewer (Memphis, TN)
Was This Review Helpful? Yes No Amy
Amy Winehouse does not need the bs tabloids and paparazzi keep talking about,she is an amazing and troubled artist and as such she develops the ability of making great music,so people buy her record and listen to it before you even touch a copy of those cheap gossips magazines.5 stars.
Submitted by Cyrus (Dayville,Ct)
Was This Review Helpful? Yes No 10 of 14 found this helpful.
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