For some reason, everyone has been going crazy over Duffy this year; who is just continuing that foray into the “sounds of the past” that really hit the mainstream last year with Amy Winehouse’s Back to Black.I feel compelled to mention this, because for me, Adele so far outshines Duffy at playing the same game, that it really makes me wonder where all the Adele love is hiding (well, the Grammys took notice, so I am not THAT bitter). From the first time I heard Hometown Glory back in January, I knew that I had to get my hands on everything that this AMAZING singer was going to release; her vocals are massive and so sweetly beautiful. She really harnesses the classic style that her predecessors like Billie Holiday and Etta James perfectly presented so many years ago. With her music, and amazing vocals, it’s almost as if Adele has the ability to transport you back in time to a bluesy cafe in the 60s, where she performs amazing song after amazing song for the patrons.
This was probably the album that I anticipated the most this year, because I found out about her a while before I could get my hands on any of her amazing music, and I it really created an insatiable hunger for Adele. Luckily, I didn’t have to wait too long to get the goods; Adele’s amazing debut album, titled simply 19(which was her age at the time of release) was released in the UK, and then finally in the US in the first few months of 2008. It really only took one listen to know that this CD would be perched near the top of my list; and look, here it is. She has made an album that is filled with heartbreaking tales about love and loss, and even though she sings from a place of youth, she really has a way with turning phrase to really hammer home her point. When she sings lines like “whenever you look at me I wish I was her” and “as you tear your way right through me/I forgive you once again/without me knowing/you’ve burnt my heart to stone” you really get the sense that the talent in Adele is not solely focused in her voice. She has made an epic debut, and it really blew me away this year. I will say, that I can not get enough of Adele, and I look forward to seeing her live early in 2009 when she comes to Atlanta.
Seriously, if four Grammy nominations aren’t enough of an indication at the level of talent in this amazing artist, take it from me, Adele is the real deal. She has the voice, the music, the lyrics; she has it all. The way that she uses her voice like an instrument is completely mesmerizing, and totally beautiful. The inclusion of her cover of Bob Dylan’s To Make You Feel My Love (a personal favorite of mine) also shows her ability to take something classic and put her own beautiful spin on it. Adele has made one of my favorite records of 2008 with 19,and I am just glad that she is starting to get some more well deserved attention.
Sparkle Factor: Stand Outs: Hometown Glory
Chasing Pavements, To Make You Feel My Love, Cold Shoulder, Daydreamer, Melt My Heart To Stone, First Love.
5 Responses to “the 31 best of 2008 – 4: Adele – 19”
Now I am with you on Adele. I think I found her as a suggestion on Amazon.uk when I bought Duffy and was glad I listened, and then you also talked about her. I bought her CD from the UK when it was first out and I really liked it. She has a great voice and I wonder what she will do next.
So, we are NOT going to get the Sugababes or Girls Aloud this year? I was wondering as you haven’t really mentioned them at all. Funny because I thought Catfights and Spotlights was pretty good. Good enough I might put it into my top thirty.
Gotta love how many of your top CDs ended up on my list, too. You just do a much better job with the presentation. You’ve outdone yourself this year, mister!
Oh wow, what a mess. This was a big budget movie that should have been a straight to DVD, or a second rate cable movie. Seriously, who thought this was good? Also, I know a lot of people are all, "Megan Fox is sooooo gorgeous", but this movie just made her look average. Ouch.
Wow, this was bad. I seriously said to myself 3 or 4 times that I should just turn it off, but something kept me from doing it. After seeing the whole film, I really dislike that something.
If I could describe this movie with one word, it would be intense. A gripping look at a soldier that is in it for the adrenaline, this movie is raw, gritty, and feels very real. I see Oscars coming to this film next month.
For some reason, everyone has been going crazy over Duffy this year; who is just continuing that foray into the “sounds of the past” that really hit the mainstream last year with Amy Winehouse’s Back to Black.
I’d never heard of Adel until I heard her on Saturday Night Live. After that, I got her cd and loved it.
joey, you crack me up; first Lady GaGa, now Adele?! You don’t listen to me at all!! LOL
Now I am with you on Adele. I think I found her as a suggestion on Amazon.uk when I bought Duffy and was glad I listened, and then you also talked about her. I bought her CD from the UK when it was first out and I really liked it. She has a great voice and I wonder what she will do next.
So, we are NOT going to get the Sugababes or Girls Aloud this year? I was wondering as you haven’t really mentioned them at all. Funny because I thought Catfights and Spotlights was pretty good. Good enough I might put it into my top thirty.
I am betting that the Lady Gaga is number one!
I do sometimes! I downloaded the Script cd… I only ended up keeping that one song though.
Gotta love how many of your top CDs ended up on my list, too. You just do a much better job with the presentation. You’ve outdone yourself this year, mister!