Amy Winehouse
Frank

THE REVIEW

“…and it was so yellow…What the f*** are you talking about, Chris Martin? Is this supposed to be the best British band? It's enough to make you want to slit your wrists.” If you've ever thought this about Coldplay, then Amy Winehouse is undoubtedly someone you'd like. With her cheeky attitude and sharp tongue, the twenty-something from Camden has won over music critics with her debut album, “Frank”: nominated at the Brit Awards, she won the prestigious Ivor Novello Award for “best contemporary song” (“Stronger Than Me”).

The album's strong point is undoubtedly her voice, which Amy handles with ease, like a good musician does with their instrument. As for the “sound,” it's hard to go wrong in calling it “nu-soul”: hip-hop+r’n’b+urban beats+frequent use of sounds borrowed from jazz. Originality can be found in tracks like “October Song” or the amusing “Fuck Me Pumps” (read the lyrics!), while on other occasions Winehouse may remind you of other singers: Erikah Badu, Alicia Keys, Lauryn Hill. Despite this, throughout the album, Amy's strong vocal and human personality shines through beautifully.

A pretty picture, but...in the album, there's a space-time door, a black hole: the track “(There is) No Greater Love.” Setting aside the heavy urban sounds, Amy transforms into “Lady Winehouse,” a jazz vocalist who doesn't shy away from comparisons with her idols - Sarah Vaughan, Dinah Washington, Billie Holiday. Amy's voice captivates you for one hundred and twenty long seconds. Your mind wanders, contemplating the extent of Winehouse's musical talent and how limiting it is to confine her to an urban-pop album. It's a bit like placing someone preparing for middle school exams into a fifth-grade class.