Now here is an album that no doubt will be in most of the “best of” album lists this year, and the reason is simple, it is a flawless record. There is no denying it; Amy Winehouse is an amazingly talented artist, and her retro-smoky voice is just the best thing to happen to hip-hop infused jazz in a long time. Couple her raw talent with top notch production, and hot as hell songs like Rehab and Tears Dry on Their Own, and you are bound to have a winner; and that is exactly what Back to Black
There really isn’t anything negative to say about this record, because it is pretty much flawless. The use of jazz elements, and the layering of dancable beats from the 50s and 60s is sheer brilliance, and cannot be ignored. Amy channels some of the great jazz songs, and with her powerhouse voice, creates the perfect soundtrack for a late night smoky jazz club; one that I would LOVE to attend.
It is clear that the rest of the world is listening to her, and are being impressed as well; just look at how many Grammys Amy Winehouse is nominated for! Seriously, when I first heard Rehab, I was blown away, but I thought to myself, self, she is probably too good for the US to take notice; but as it turns out, I was wrong. I am glad that I was wrong about this one; Amy is too great for her UK citizenship to keep her from being loved on this side of the pond.
Overall, the main thing that should be said about this record, is that if you have been waiting for whatever reason to give it a chance, you are definitely missing out on one of the biggest phenomenons to happen in music in 2007 (and even part of 2006 in the UK). Amy surely has her own “Shirley Bassey” thing going, and it is a feast for the ears, and a soundtrack for the dance floor.
With all of the praise I can lavish upon this record, I can’t help but also say this: I hope that she can pull her rapidly descending life together, so that we can see if she can turn this raw talent into a well deserved long career in music. I would caution, that there be no more drugs Amy, and no more drinking binges; just give us the gift that you were so gracious to share with us on this record - the music! I can’t help but fear that what we are seeing is another tragic example of how such talent can literally drive someone to the grave (Janis Joplin comes to mind when I think of Amy); and I really hope that she can pull it together before it goes that far.
Favorites from Back to Black:
Tears Dry On Their Own
Me & Mr Jones
Back To Black (not the infamous live version… sigh)
Rehab, You Know I’m No Good, and Love is a Losing Game (links are to youtube goodness).
Rating: 
I also think this is a very good album.
But I am really afraid that this will be her last album for many years that is so great. But let’s just hope that this will not be the case!
First time ever: I agree with every word of your post.
Awesome album. It is flawless as you say but I could do w/o the rapping in the remix of “you know i’m no good”. But still, it’s flawless.
So refreshing hearing REAL singing (not electronically distorted) and real instruments.
I enjoy this record on almost a daily basis, just as I enjoy the fact that the surge has been working far beyond expectations. Awful that Paetreus didn’t get man of the year.
I mentioned this to Thomas the other day - if she wants to make this kind of music while she’s fucked up, that’s OK with me. It’s her life and her choice. Some people (John Frusciante of the Chili Peppers, even though that isn’t your kind of sound) come back from getting clean as good as or better than ever, but getting off heroin was his choice. There’s something of a sad destiny about Amy Winehouse - I hope she can make a bunch more awesome records, because I can’t get enough of this sound, but I’m not gonna pretend that she’ll come out the same artist on the other side. The candle does burn brightest before it goes out.
It would be nice if her style of music caught on in the pop scene with more artists.
When I first heard her album, my first reaction was that it must be a remake of older songs, like maybe old R&B stuff. I guess that must be a sign that something is fresh and new?
What do you think she means by “black?” I’m thinking it’s not racial, but either drinking or a depressed state of mind.
Uh, I doubt very much that it’s racial.
She is sampling old R&B - she and John Legend actually use the SAME sample - “She’s a Fox” by the Icemen (featuring Jimi Hendrix) is on both Slow Dance from JL’s Once Again album and He Can Only Hold Her from AW’s Back to Black.