19

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Editorial reviews

Amazon.co.uk Review
It's right there; on the cover, the spine, or illuminating from your iPod screen. But it's hard to corroborate it in your mind. London singer-songwriter Adele's debut album is titled 19, referencing her age, and there are hints it's true--its themes are almost exclusively concerned with young love's highs and (mostly) lows and there's a clipped estuary English tide-mark to her voice, allying her with the fresh-faced modern female songwriting guard; Lily Allen, Kate Nash, et al. But the sheer weight of her maturity--vocally, emotionally and in overall poise—really reduces that all to circumstantial evidence. Adele is carrying something much bigger here, you can't help but be consumed by it on "Daydreamer" with it's jazzy tip-toeing guitar and elastic vocal range and "Hometown Glory" with its deep, lonely piano serving as a bed for the raw emotional undressing that takes place above it. Draw a line between timeless, powerful singers like Ella Fitzgerald and the modern standard of Amy Winehouse; Adele balances and pirouettes confidently along that tightrope. Winehouse particularly informs the likes of "Cold Shoulder" and double-bass heavy "Best for Last", and that's not an alignment that's ever going to be easy to realise credibly. Needless to say, she does, with ease. On future classic "Chasing Pavements" she also gives a nonsensical phrase a handful of heart in lieu of meaning and when you can pull that off convincingly you know you're in possession of something special. Who dares to dream what bigger numbers could bring. --James Berry

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Customer reviews

review by: jenko date: 2008-07-16 rating:
Initially forgettable...Lately Unbelievable
At first play I skipped through the album..enjoyed Chasing Pavements, tolerated Heartbreaker, looked forward to the ending of the last track.

Put this back on today and was captivated..completely. Even after the seventh playthrough...why..I don't know..maybe a reassessment of expectations..whatever..this is Outstanding - just listen to the tunes and forget the hype.

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review by: John Nickolls RN date: 2008-07-11 rating:
Don't Buy!
I put this album on my iPod, I have now taken it off! It is a load of rubbish. It is also one of the only albums I have actually DELETED from iTunes. Hopefully I will never hear it again.

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review by: Revboy date: 2008-07-11 rating:
At last...some Quality New Music!
This is just such a refreshing album. Proper melodies, great lyrics and such a mauture voice from Adele. No "fillers". She sings with great sensitivity and plenty of power. She has written some beguiling songs and this album is produced with great confidence avoiding over-sophisticated production. We can hear the musicinas, we can hear her cracking voice and we enjoy the tunes. Well done babe!

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review by: Red Rob date: 2008-06-25 rating:
Don't believe the hype!
Mmmmm.

Guess what? She ain't as good as they make out.

The album isn't that hot either. It's okay, but it's not the Eight Wonder Of The World we were expecting.

Once again, another bunch of unworthy millionaires are made thanks to the great British public.

An average album, but not actually that much to recommend it.


review by: meggie date: 2008-05-11 rating:
Some people have no taste
Working in a HMV I have a good incite to the music industry and its new and up coming talent, but recently there has been a halt and the amounts of drool albums each week full of talent less artists that has made it in to the u k chart is astounding.
I found this album to be relief from the same old Indie rock or pop trance in the chart. She brings a much-needed new taste back with some slow but also catchy jazzy numbers. Top girl!!!!

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