There are very few albums that I can listen to from beginning until end. The Frank album by Amy Winehouse is one of the few. I had been (as some of you know) procrastinating and just bought the Cd yesterday. So even though I knew the album existed well before it was released here in the U.S, I was behind on getting it.My first impression of the album before I even put the Cd in the player was that Amy looks so different on this Album. She looks healthy and even happy. It's such a shame that she is having so many problems. I truly hope that she finds happiness. Whenever I think about Amy's difficulties I always think about Lauryn Hill. They are so amazingly talented and amazingly tormented as well.
The song that I was looking forward to hearing the most was Fcuk Me Pumps. And it did not disappoint it was a good song the first time I heard it, but a better song the second time and even better the third.
The song I already loved before I even purchased the Cd was Moody's Mood For Love. It's a classic that I knew best being performed by King Pleasure. It's really hard to cover a song. It's even harder to cover a song which demands such vocal proficiency. Amy sings this song like it's her creation. I love the confidence in her voice. And her weird vocal inflections are perfect for this song.
This album requires one to actually listen to the lyrics. I think it's easy to become accustomed to just listening for the beats in the era of Beyonce and Ciara. The lyrics rather than the beats are what make the Frank album a standout.
I wouldn't say this album is better than the Back To Black album. There are some amazing songs on that album like Love is A Losing Game and Me and Mr Jones to name just two. And speaking of Me and Mr Jones, does anyone know what "Fuckery" means?
I really wish the Brits would stop holding back on us over here in the States. For some reason British record companies have a history of releasing second or third albums by British artists first and then the earlier albums.
At any rate I'm glad I finally have the Frank album. (Thanks Tami and The Addict for giving me a little push this week). A month from now I'm going to like it even more than I do today and six months from now even more.
Amy we're all waiting for album number three!
7 comments:
i agree. i had a really good friend attending university in london in 2003/2004 when frank came out and she went on and on about how great the album was that i downloaded it then. i love it. i really hope amy can get it together to make a 3rd album. she is truly talented.
e.
I'm so glad you finally got this album. Isn't it great? You make a good point about the genius of Amy's albums being in the lyrics. In addition to F Me Pumps and Moody's Mood for Love, I also like Stronger Than Me and Take the Box.
Did you see this article about Amy Winehouse in today's Salon?
http://www.salon.com/ent/feature/2007/12/14/winehouse/index.html
I'm not sure what the writer is trying to say and I'm a little offended that he thinks her druggy dysfunctional behavior is her mimicing black musicians.
Eva,
I hope she gets it together too. I wish the media would back-off. The free publicity is not an incentive to try to get better.
Tami,
I'm glad I finally got it, took me long enough!
I read the article. The guy seems all over the place trying to make comparisons.
I think his point about Amy trying to emulate Blues artists was not valid when most of the artists who have serious drug problems are White. It's almost like he was mixing metaphors trying to make a point.
His knowledge of music was totally unconvincing. I wonder what his regular beat is; I hope it's not music!
YIPPEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!! nothing else to say...love it
The Addict,
Thanks!
Am SO glad you finally got this one, MDC! I love this album and am so sad about Amy's personal decline...
And I can answer the "fuckery" question! It's a very London slang/swearword... It's one of those which has no real direct translation, it just means when something or someone is really messed up or annoying or disrespectful in some way.
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