Lately, I’ve been silent on the music front. Just taking a break.
You know, this isn’t really meant to be an MP3 blog, despite the fact that’s commonly referred to as such. And despite the fact that more than a third of the posts contain MP3s. Chalk it up to a combination of availability and inefficiency.
But I must tell you about my favorite new album, Amy Winehouse’s Back to Black. It was released three months ago in the U.K. It’s up for a couple of BRIT Awards, for Female Solo Artist and Album (also nominated are Corinne Bailey Rae and Lily Allen). It’s supposed to be released in the U.S. in March. [UPDATE: She did win British Female Solo Artist.]
She’s gotten a reputation since her 2003 debut Frank as a public drunkard. The first time I heard of her was a post last October on Stereogum about her doing a shambling, sotted cover of “Beat It” with Charlotte Church. When I was in L.A. a couple weeks ago, I heard a track from Back to Black on the radio. Then I sought out the album.
I’m in love. It’s the sound of Sixties Girl Groups and Northern Soul. The production by Salaam Remi and Mark Ronson is amazing, simultaneously retro and contemporary at once. The whole album only runs 32 minutes, just like a classic pop album from 40 years ago.
I quite frankly don’t give a crap what sorts of personal problems Amy Winehouse may or may not be having. As long as she can sing like this, I’m on board.
Her previous album Frank had more of a jazzy feel. You can get a sense of that from these videos from that album:
The first video off the new album was “Rehab,” while the second is “You Know I’m No Good” (which also has a remix version with an appearance from Ghostface Killah).
Amy Winehouse – Love Is A Losing Game — BUY
Amy Winehouse – He Can Only Hold Her — BUY
Tags: Amy Winehouse, Salaam Remi, Mark Ronson