Frank is the debut studio album by English singer and songwriter Amy Winehouse. It was released on 20 October 2003 by Island Records. Production for the album took place during 2002 to 2003 and was handled by Winehouse, Salaam Remi, Commissioner Gordon, Jimmy Hogarth and Matt Rowe. Its title alludes to the nature and tone of Winehouse's lyrics on the album, as well as one of her influences, Frank Sinatra.Upon its release, Frank received generally positive reviews from most music critics and earned Winehouse several accolades, including an Ivor Novello Award. The album has sold over one million copies in the United Kingdom and has been certified triple platinum by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI).
The first (only?) artist on @1001_albums_gen i'd met and being a Camdenite of course know Frank inside out. And what an incredible voice Amy had. I know there is idolisation of stars that die too early - but not here, what a huge, massive loss.
Oh, Amy… 'Frank,' Amy Winehouse’s debut album, refers partly to the quintessential crooner Frank Sinatra, one of Amy’s earliest influences. A couple of tracks in I heard more jazz/blues singer Billie Holiday than Sinatra. Although I would not title Amy’s LP 'Billie' because Ms. Holiday, despite her own problems with men and drugs, had so much more depth (where would one drop ‘Strange Fruit’ among the collection of songs on 'Frank'?), both in voice and lyrics, a multi-dimensional artist in comparison to Amy Winehouse and her singular lyrical focus: hooking up with the bad boys. Every single song on 'Frank' (save one about the death of her pet bird, Ava- ‘October Song’) is about Amy’s desperate and shallow pursuit of masculine affection. Comedian Chris Rock once commented that a father’s main goal in raising a daughter is to keep her off the (stripper) pole. Amy’s mother and brother are briefly mentioned on 'Frank,' but no reference to her father, so who knows what went on there? I have no information nor do I even want to pronounce any kind of judgment on their relationship. Just wondering. I happen to like strong, independent women. And that bleeds over into my musical preference. One of my favorite female artists is Liz Phair, who has made a career out of unashamedly affirming and asserting her own sexuality. One gets the impression from her songs that her family origin might have had its own dysfunction that affected, for example, her ability to choose healthier relationships with men. But Amy is damaged in a way well beyond Liz. On the opener, she cruelly says to her man, ‘You always wanna talk it through, I don’t care… You always wanna talk it through, I’m ok. I always have to comfort you every day. But that’s what I need to do, are you gay?’ Other songs have her sleeping with married men, boasting about it even (‘What Is It About Men’), and then brutally criticizing slutty girls who just want to score a good looking sugar daddy (‘Fuck Me Pumps.’) On ‘I Heard Love Is Blind‘ she excuses (blames, even) her own cheating on her man by asking what did you expect, I was drunk, and he looked like you! But hey, at least ‘I was thinking of you when I came (with the other guy).’ Amy Amy Amy’ features the background singers in chorus pleading with her to get her shit together, but to no avail. Amy is cursed with her attraction to the kinds of dudes who apparently are great in bed but rotten elsewhere. And then there’s the hints of alcohol and substance abuse. Several of the songs have Amy hungover, so the drinking has already begun. The drug abuse, of course, was not far behind, and eventually took her life. Despite the competent jazz players who earn at least a star themselves on 'Frank,' Amy’s sickness just taints the whole thing, at least for this listener. I’m no stranger to the blues, musically or otherwise, but the sadness I feel for Amy is even more pronounced by what could have been. It’s very clear on this LP where she’s headed and the consequences that catch up with all who stumble down her path. ‘I can’t help you if you won’t help yourself,’ she sings to one of her ‘bad boy’ lovers, unknowingly prophesying her own demise. Would that Amy had listened to her own advice.
This album is more of a sign of things to come for Amy, as she wouldn’t hit her, unfortunately very short, peak until back to black. But I still love this album, it’s a raw look at the life of a 19 year old who doesn’t know much about the world other than her relationships with the men in her life. It’s honest (hence Frank), and that’s all it needs to be
Not usually into jazz but honestly it doesn't matter when you hear Amy's voice.
Loses one star just for not being Back to Black.
Frank by Amy Winehouse (2003) In this debut jazz/pop album, sassy 19-year-old British vocalist Amy Winehouse sings songs revealing that in relationships with men, she expects to get what she wants. And what she wants is perversely oversexed, as if she thinks she’s discovered the right tool to fix what’s broken inside. It’s embarrassing. Lyrics are characterized by demanding, controlling, manipulating, objectifying, wallowing in splenetic superficiality, reducing the man to a mere instrumental cause for her deluded sense of happiness, slutsplaining her way through a closed labyrinth of contradictions and non-sequiturs. As a songwriter, she comes across like a tiny princess who does her ego shopping at the Big & Tall Men’s store. All this is really too bad, because the musical arrangements are excellent, and she has an appealing, good-but-not-great voice. If you’re 1,000 albums into the list of 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die and this is the only one remaining, you could just as well go ahead and die. 1/5
To my surprise I enjoyed this a lot more than Back to Black (which I quite enjoyed), which has such a strong reputation and I've always assumed is *the* polished work to look towards when it comes to Winehouse's discography. Rather, the classic jazz influence is more charming with less polish/production, the humor actually caught me off guard (I always found Rehab depressing and over-obvious), and is more emotionally acute if not as raw as BIB.
Nice one to listen once. Do not added smth to my playlist.
such a voice
The sassiest and most satisfying sort of soul. An astonishing debut on multiple levels, the conifdent delivery and assuredness, her versatile singing style, from belting to vamping. The lyrics are great, too, with many funny bits ("Fuck Me Pumps," "I Heard Love Is Blind") and empowered feminist (and post-feminist) proclamations ("Stronger Than Me," "What Is It About Men"). A big-time talent strutting her stuff for the first time. One loves the overall vibe and feel of the record, too – the retro instrumentation and song selection, backed by modern beats and 'tudes – "Mr. Magic" is a great exemplar of how this respectfully and intelligently freshens up a classic genre. Excellent all the way around.
It's hard not to be sad when one thinks of what Amy Winehouse could have been. Had she not been caught up in the whirlwind of the sleazy and seedy underbellies that bellies stardom and fame. Had she not been pigeonholed into a idealism that celebrated debauchery and decadence and a downward path towards death. Seeing this album cover, and the music contained within it, is a reminder of who she was and what she was; a disciple of the jazz and hip-hop woven tapestry that enabled her to express herself in ways that felt real, that felt unencumbered by media expectations and fuckery, that felt... well, frank. A stark example of not knowing what we had until it was gone and not knowing what to do with it when we had it. She was an incredible talent who should still be making music today, who should still be alive today.
Prank
Not really seeing what the big deal was with her
Annoying
When she said "you know that I'm no good" I didn't realize she was talking about this album! Damn!
I struggled through this album. There were times I absolutely just wantes her to stop singing. Her voice just got more annoying as it went on. There aren't really any redeeming songs on this album.
כמה רגש ויופי וסול מושלם ליום גשום
My girl
Gotta love Amy
Hey Amy!
i know every word, such a slay. fuck me pumps, double slay album art - deserved better, but good 7/10
Outstanding. No idea why I’ve never heard this before
Good stuff from Amy - more laid-back than I expected but none the worse for it
Top, bom pra banho e p fuder
I love everything about her voice! Her music is timeless and cherished
Turns out I love this
holy shit this is amazing? did she only have two albums?! I listened to both Frank and Back to Black, and the deluxe editions of both with the bonus content of course everything is a 10/10 super talented artist, gone way too soon, holy shit that’s depressing
Listen, Fuck me pumps will forever ring out in my house. Big fan of Amy, and this is one of my favorites.
GTFO. Absolute LEGEND of an artist, really just riffing from the depths of her soul, a little bit different every time. I love how jazzy and playful the tracks are, and I just freaking love her, OK?!
An amazing voice and presence on the album. Each track is great.
She's got such a great voice. Awesome album, lots of great songs!
Fantastic, she truly was
Didn't expect to like this but it had some great tunes and really funny lyrics
Banger
This album is peak Amy for me. She has some fun with the inevitable Erykah Badu comparisons, but this is a bright new talent, rather than the significantly retro retooled Mark Ronson stuff. I can barely listen to Back to Black due to its ubiquity and idolatry but this? Forever.
fav track: October song
A perfect Sunday morning album.
lovely
great album
very cool
Very good
Quite fucking swanky in my opinion. Kind of a darker, after-hours Norah Jones. I enjoyed this, maybe even more than Back to Black
Id listened before. Her voice was something special & it couldve been legendary
slay amy
Amy Winehouse was so talented. It was impressive that she could sound so much like singers such as Billie Holiday, but it doesn’t sound like it was a gimmick or an impersonation. Probably my favorite album to come up on here so far.
Very unique sound and voice, lots to pick up on upon repeat listens, classic album
5 star
So much Soul. Amy is so incredibly talented and this album hits in all the right places. Easy 5 stars
ok LO AMÉ. fue como poner un tiny desk y eso es decir un montón para mi onda los tiny desk lo son todo para mi(?) 9 / 10 colta
blew me away, did not expect that. i’m familiar with amy, but never got into her full albums, this was phenomenal.
This is awesome.
Original, beautiful voice. Loved it
Literally the best album so far
What a voice and what a sound! A call back to Jazz lounge singers in the 30s and 40s. So soulful. I loved her documentary AMY. A talent gone far too soon, but a legacy amplified by an early demise. RIP.
Amazing soul and jazz album. Her voice is beautiful.
Rest in Power, Amy.
Just Amy
Pretty nice, Amy's voice is quite powerful as they said, and the music went hand in hand with her voice.
Gritty and vibrant. Such a soulful voice.
The ultimate Saturday morning album
I think this was my first time really listening to Amy Winehouse; and she had a powerhouse of a voice
Brilliant and amazing album from a brilliant and amazing artist.
This came out when I was a teenager, so I totally missed it, and then I was out of the country when Back to Black came out, so I totally missed the Amy Winehouse boat altogether. I get it now.
THIS IS A FLAWLESS ALBUM. INCREDIBLE. BEAUTIFUL. JAZZY AND FUN.
Discazo
Amy's voice will always be so charming. Love the instrumentals, but it definitely wouldn't be anything without Amy herself. Amazing album, such a pleasant listen. Fave track(s): Stronger Than Me, Fuck Me Pumps, In My Bed
wow
Before she was Back in Black she introduced us to Frank. That seems to be the appropriate word…Frank. An uncompromising and classic sound seems at times throwback and others wholly what was missing for the time. A WONDERFUL record. The world could’ve used more Amy Winehouse.
Wow what a record. Stronger Than Me into You Sent ME Flying/Cherry is a ridiculous opening. I felt the tracks may have been a bit long but the soundcloud era has damaged my attention span. Long Live Amy
Great
It's an absolute belter, one of my favourite albums of all time. Just perfection.
Well it was a bloody 5 star before I even start. One of my favourite albums of all time - I don't know where to start! I just think it is a beautifully crafted album where you get a real sense of what Amy's life was like in London at the time. Her relationships, her nights out (taking the piss out of certain girls - but in a fond way! (Fuck me pumps))), her love for writing music on her guitar (Cherry), falling in love with crap men (Help Yourself) and her messy attitude to relationships (I Heard Love Is Blind). So many of the songs are so funny and include punchlines, like I heard love in blind. I love how to the point and unafraid she was to talk about certain shortcomings in her songs - FRANK as such. Other than knowing the obvious Amy Winehouse songs, it was Help Yourself that got into her properly. Someone I met travelling (Malaysia at the time I believe) told me how pure and beautiful she thought that song was - I just how on the nose it was. I listened and totally agreed - now my most favourite song. I've loved all the documentaries about Amy Winehouse and what I've learned about her song writing - like how she, before the music, is a poet and lyricist and that is SO the strength of these songs. But her love of jazz means these songs are musically complex and surprising but pleasing. Just big big love for this - a joy to write a review and sing along to EVERY WORD. I became a fan of Amy Winehouse she died, it was odd to go through the heartbreak of her death well after she actually died. I'm so struck by her talent and if only she'd grown older to write more music, and obviously enjoyed her life beyond 27. Her music was so wise and mature, knowing some of these songs were written as a teen! 5 bloody stars and I rarely give these
Ughhhhh just fucking insanely great and amazing. I used to see Amy Winehouse in her final years in a pub in Kentish Town when I was doing uni drinking and avoiding revision for vet school exams haha. Her story really touched me and I always really appreciated her music even while she was alive but maybe even more so since she passed. I have a lot of time for this kind of jazzy version of intense story-telling. Her lyrics are genius and the tunes she wrote are unbelievably catchy. I always love listening around the hits to some of her lesser known songs. This album certainly helped me deal with some tough things like grief and heartbreak at certain points in my life and I think it's incredible.
Erg relaxt, GOED
Amazing album. Left us too soon. 5/5
Wonderful. Had never listened to the full album. What a tragedy. So much talent.
Amazing from start to finish
Never in a thousand years would I think I would give this album a 5/5, but I liked it that much. Even listened through a second time. Every song is good.
My Amy Winehouse favorite album, no question about it. I love these songs because they bring back memories of hard days I was able to overcome and also because I love this Amy, the one before all the excess, the one before turning into Billie Holiday, singing playfully her songs. This is one of the albums I play when I need to cheer me up.
Rating: 9/10 Best songs: You sent me flying, Fuck me pumps, In my bed, Take the box, Help yourself, Amy Amy Amy
great
awe :( Amy. There's something so sad about her death and hits me harder knowing addiction. She left us a lot of gold. And she was so pretty! What an amazing artist! Her style is beautiful. Old and jazzy and modern all in one. Lovin this album.
fantastic. absolutely genius of amy.
Phenomenal. She was a massive talent and—though beloved while alive—underrated.
Frábær frá upphafi til enda. Einstakur talent.
Lo ame todo. No sabía que Amy tenían un disco así. Lo disfrute mucho 10/10 lo guardamos.
Her voice in just unreal
Einfach Amy, einfach eine tolle Stimme und leider zu früh gestorben.
Good artist
awesome jazz i loved it nothing like ive ever heard before will continue 2 listen
Perfect
Amy winehouse
Why not "Back to Black"? Still, beautiful voice, great album.
Amazing album. Her voice is just so powerful on this. Loved the instrumentals on this as well. All round a great experience.
first time listening
Every song another vibe. From the deeps to every high. Great vocals
Classic voice
Iconic <3
This is briljant
Love Amy