Adele's '21'.
Shane Gilchrist presents a special Summer Times
selection of albums worth exploring.
Today: Adele's Brit-with-grit approach to 21
puts some soul back into the charts.
Who: British singer Adele has had a year to remember:
she received six 2011 Grammy nominations; sophomore album
21 is the UK's best-selling album of the 21st century
and the best-selling album in the United States this year;
and Rolling Stone magazine named both her album and
the single Rolling In The Deep the "best of 2011".
About the album: Capped by that aforementioned single,
21 converts the collapse of an 18-month relationship
into a global hit, helped by the nous of Rick Rubin, whose
lush (yes, occasionally overblown) production would have
prompted knowing smiles from many Motown veterans.
Upbeat grooves rub against tear-jerker ballads and a clutch
of mid-tempo numbers, all of which benefit from wall-of-sound
backing vocals, slick guitar lines, keyboard stabs and beats
that range from four-on-the-floor stomp to delicate
percussion.
Highlight: Rolling In The Deep.
For those who like: Aretha Franklin, Sandy Shaw.
A name, residential address, and (preferably residential) telephone number is required from readers who comment on ODT Online. These details will not be visible to site visitors.