Amy Winehouse
Back To Black (Republic)

23 year-old Amy Winehouse arrives from the UK with the trappings of a full fledged pop star, from tabloid antics to a demanding tour rider. Fine and dandy, but does her second album Back To Black live up to all that massive hype? I’d say yes, but with a few reservations. There’s no question that she possesses an utterly unique voice, a throaty wail which might sound more appropriate coming from an older, heftier Etta James type. The album’s production is also a delight, filled with ’60s-style R&B flourishes which might seem gimmicky if they didn’t fit her personality so seamlessly. This is especially so on the opening single “Rehab” (likely a favorite on Britney Spears’ iPod) and “Tears Dry On Their Own”, which cleverly nicks the opening notes of Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell’s “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough”. Winehouse also delivers the good on simmering, slower numbers like the title track and the bluesy “Me and Mr. Jones”. That said, Back To Black isn’t a total winner with its trite lyrics and inconsistency – but anyone with a taste for real singers who don’t aspire towards superficiality would find this album a thrill.

Buy the album at Amazon.com.

• Amy Winehouse | Back to Black