A Lost Gem of An Album: Amy Winehouse's Debut (Frank - Amy Winehouse)

Member Name: Flowers_

Product:	Frank - Amy Winehouse
Date:	24/08/09 (7 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: An incredibly mature album given that Amy was only 18 when she wrote it, truly impressive.

Disadvantages: It's a shame it didn't get the recognition it deserved on release.

An extremely classy and sophisticated album, this is a must for any contemporary music lover. Coolly straggling the line between jazz, soul and RnB, the album demonstrates a broad range of musical flavours. Moreover, it delivers on every level.

The depth of the lyrics, coupled with an array of sensitive melodies betrays a maturity and sensibility beyond the artist's eighteen years. It is, at times, impossible to believe that such carefully crafted songs could have been written by one so young. Frank is a true showcase of Amy Winehouse's talent, arguably more so than Back to Black.

I brought this album on the strength of 'In My Bed', on the basis that paying £4 for an album was roughly on a par with buying a single for £3.99. 'In My Bed' is a rather sultry track, combining contemporary lyrical themes with a sophisticated jazz band. 'Stronger than me' characterises itself as a bold and assertive attack on men who don't live up to their role. As with most of the tracks on this album, it succeeds in marrying 21st century RnB beats with traditional jazz vocals and attitude.

The album features an 'intro', which leads into first track 'Stronger than me'. Some listeners may find this mildly irritating, particularly if they wish to copy 'Stronger than me' onto their mp3 player. Similarly, listeners may be slightly irritated by the 'outro' at the end of 'Amy, Amy, Amy', which features a (purported) "club compere" announcing the end of Amy's set. While charming, these features will no doubt divide listeners.

It is worth noting that lyrically, Frank is a very different album from Back to Black. The lyrics on Frank appear to be driven by a feisty strain of feminism: Amy comes across as a very strong-willed and determined young woman. In contrast, the lyrics of Back to Black were far more tragic and self-destructive. However, this is not a criticism in any sense of the word. Sadly, it is only a reflection on the change in her personal circumstances.

Summary: An all-round great purchase!