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Forget her peers or even ex-Eurythmics - think Dusty or Aretha, albeit of SW2, instead. 19 has been on constant repeat for several weeks now and will be, I suspect, for the rest of the year to come.
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A beyond stellar debut in both quality and originality.
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She’s often at her best alone with an acoustic guitar instead of ornamented with retro R&B references. It’s easy to want to dislike something that the UK press, Perez Hilton and Kanye West are telling you to like, but Adele shows some real talent.
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MojoShe has the voacl talent of a young Alison Moyet, and thankfully this debut lives up to expectations. [Mar 2008, p.112]
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Q MagazineAdele's songs possess an ageless classification. [Mar 2008, p.105]
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19 indeed boasts several distinct sounds by which Adele is given to do her thing. These are utilized quite harmoniously to fit her powerhouse vocal delivery, a stirring combination of her diverse influences ranging from the Cure’s Robert Smith to Philly soul queen Jill Scott to legendary rhythm ‘n’ folk chanteuse Karen Dalton.
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Entertainment WeeklyAdele's songs aren't as sharp as Duffy's. Still her singing throughout is a thing to behold. [13 June 2008, p.70]
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As is to be expected given Adele's tender years, thematically things are a bit monochrome.... All this, however, is forgiven with a listen to the highlights, such as the sweet acoustic guitar-led 'Daydreamer.'
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It may not be particuarly original or challenging, but there's enough positive signs here to bode extremely well for the future. The sound of 2008? And beyond, we'd imagine.
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The co-writes--not as many as you might’ve expected--generally boom from the speakers. The self-penned efforts are bare-boned, erratically excellent but frustratingly blighted by Adele’s penchant for going beyond her capabilities as a vocalist.
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Critics have favorably compared Adele to Amy Winehouse, but most of 19 plays like the quieter moments on Kate Nash's "Made of Bricks;" the production is largely simple and organic, wisely showcasing Adele's voice, which is appropriately soulful and imperfect.
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Her debut, which topped the British charts earlier this year, lacks the bad-girl brio of those grads [Amy Winehouse and Kate Nash], but it shows off a vocal instrument that smokes the competition.
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UrbSure, she may not have as many debauchery-tainted demons to exercise as the Winehouses or the Holidays but that doesn't make 19 boring. [Jul/Aug 2008, p.88]
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Adele is not yet ready to produce an album of sufficient depth to match her voice.
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She represents a highly commercial compromise between Amy Winehouse's genuine soul danger and James Blunt's sclocky pop safety. [July 2008, p.92]
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Under The RadarDespite Adele's striking vocals--the girl can sing--19 isn't mining any new territory. [Summer 2008]
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There is scant emotional heft behind Adele's prodigiously rich voice, little bite to her songwriting.
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Veering between faux-soul and Hoxton hipness, Adele simply hasn't found her own voice yet.
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It can't even stack up to Gabriella Cilmi. Estelle? Leona Lewis? Yikes. Avoid.
Awards & Rankings
User score distribution:
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Positive: 319 out of 393
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Mixed: 35 out of 393
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Negative: 39 out of 393
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Jul 23, 2011
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JoshR.Jun 30, 2008Amazing!! Adele has an amazing voice for the age of 19! expect more great things from her in the future!!
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JohnZ.Mar 7, 2008Almost masterpiece