Amy Winehouse

Amy Winehouse
Back to Black


I heard the name Amy Winehouse and thought, "Great, another bratty, tormented, neo-jazz/soul/hip-hop/R&B hybrid." Never having really gotten into the whole Joss Stone thing, I made a prompt snap judgment but, because it's my job, put the album on anyway.

My foot is in my proverbial mouth.

Winehouse's sophomore record, Back to Black, is without a doubt, a delightful surprise especially since before receiving it Winehouse's name was only synonymous with her well publicized drunken debauchery. However, said debauchery lends itself well to Winehouse's bitter and angsty lyrics. But to be fair, saying Winehouse is angsty is like saying she's spending 10 songs worth of an album whining about schoolgirl crushes and Pixy Stix. That, she is not.

Whereas most albums stick the potential singles up towards the front of an albums track listing, it was pretty wonderful to come to the realization that the bulk of her hard-hitting songs come in towards the middle of the disc. It keeps things moving and delightfully listenable.