Reviews (page 11 of 14)
Rolling in the deep. Не мое
I'm very torn on this rating, because I want to give it a 2.5, because 2 feels too low for an album that does contain a couple songs that I do see the talent and vision in and can understand why people like them. However, the album is so one-note and gets much too repetitive and a slog that it doesn't feel like a 3, as I don't feel someone that treads so much on just piano and sad vocals really should rise to 1001 albums. I think I have to settle on a 3, even though I feel it like pulls the album higher than it deserves in an average score.
What a voice! Maybe I'm mishearing, but the production feels a little rough on this album. Not awful, but I would've assumed such a lauded pop record would be crisper.
Adele’s a really good singer but her music is just fine
This album is steeped in nostalgia for me, and offers some of my go to karaoke songs. I think my newly discovered favorite from the album was "I'll Be Waiting." While the use of soul inspired musical elements made this album shine so brightly, it does leave quite a bitter taste in my mouth that a white British woman made such a name for herself off of musical techniques that originated from Black American culture (very unsurprising given how frequently this occurs in music.) I will admit she does do it incredibly well though. There is only so much belting one can take though, and after the third listen I found myself tiring of the same vocal styles over and over. The production dimmed the band behind her distinct voice -- this clearly lets Adele's effortless range of notes stand out among the music. This album is better enjoyed over headphones from my own experiences. I think one thing that I appreciate from this album is the narrative element. The themes of the songs are cohesive, and the ordering of them on the album creates a satisfying emotional journey for the listener. 1. Rolling In The Deep: a classic karaoke song, probably the song that introduced me to Adele 2. Rumor Has It: another go to karaoke song, love the bass line and supporting vocals 3. Turning Tables: it seems like almost every single song on this album got radio play, and they all deserved it in their own way 4. Don't You Remember: just a bit too sappy for my liking, it's giving memorial video backing track 5. Set Fire To The Rain: hits just as hard as it did when I was a child, helps to prevent the middle of the album from getting muddled 6. He Won't Go: also didn't love this one at first and had to give it a re-listen after seeing how many people disagree with me. My opinion doesn't feel super changed after re listening as a solo song. Something about the piano build into each chorus and the staccato dictation in the music just lands weird for me. 7. Take It All: by this point in the album I had started to get a bit bored of the belting... thank god I had to wait it out (OKAY so I gave this a re listen on its own, and I think the songwriting in this one hits very close to home) 8. I'll Be Waiting: my favorite of them, really scratches the Amy Winehouse way in an unique sound 9. One And Only: the last like minute and a half of this track is an incredible build 10. Lovesong: I wanted to like this one so badly, but it's just a bit too boring especially given how much I love The Cure's version, quite disappointing especially given how good the second half of this album is 11. Someone Like You: being eight years old, staring out the window as my parents drive, and dramatically following a raindrop with your finger, need I say more? Would absolutely play on my own time in its entirety
Fine
Rolling in the deep is a classic. Rumour Has It is actually really enjoyable. Turning Tables is a good song but not my cup of tea. Same thing with Don't You Remember. Set Fure To The Rain is a classic. He Won't Go is really good. Take It All is good. I'll be waiting is decent. One And Only isn't for me. I like Lovesong. Someone like you is a classic, but it isn't for me.
3.5
Some absolute banging singles but the slower ballads didn't grab me. Very impressive vocalist but the songwriting is pretty generic.
3.5/5. Surprisingly good, better than what I remeber. Unfortunately it's been overplayed so that takes away some of the charm for me.
She's a phenomenal singer and this album shows that off quite well. But the actual backing tracks and instrumentation were a little bland to me. I can see why a lot of people like this album but I don't think I'll be coming back to it. Rolling in the Deep and Someone Like You are both great though.
Strong voice plus the smash-hits "Rolling in the Deep", "Set Fire to the Rain" and "Someone Like You" plus the "The Cure"-cover "Lovesong" sum up to a pretty solid and catchy pop-album. But still not exactly my jam. 3,5
she is missing something here where songs are nice but when it comes to her vocal performance, there is more to be desired.
The non-singles didn't impress me, except I'll Be Waiting, I thought that was pretty good. The singles are mostly alright. I didn't realize Turning Tables was a single until I looked at the Wikipedia page for the album; probably my least favorite of the singles, maybe tied with Someone like You.
I had written a review where I compared the rise of Adele with the RnB/Soul shaped hole that Amy Winehouse and Duffy had left after their big breaks and how Rolling in The Deep was such a catalyst of everything else to come, this album was a savior for the music industry, however as a whole it leaves a lot to be desired, but if you want heartbreak ballads you are in the right place with Adele. Just wish there was a bit more of diversity in the project. 5/10
adele is a great singer. it's too bad this album only has like 3 songs on it. would love to hear her do literally anything different.
While the other reviews you're going to read about this record above and below this one are still going to be correct, I still contend the average ear has been overexposed to the cultural whirlwind that Adele was and perhaps to some, is still. Meant as no more a slight to either than their seemingly waned cultural irreverence; to the world Adele is as if that Susan Boyle audition leapt off the screen and lived the life it was meant to.
6/10 TPAB for white wine moms
3.5, some classics on here but it dragged.
Some good tracks, digestible by anyone
Solid album. I personally think 30 is a better album.
Turns out I've heard almost all of these songs and tbh the kinda hit from a sentimental standpoint. When this record came out, you couldn't sneeze without hitting a song from this record.
Her voice is outstanding. The hits are better than I remember. Would I listen to this album on my own? Probably not. Will I put a few bangers on playlists? Yes.
I can’t tell if I like this because it’s good or if I just recognize every song on here and I like listening to music I’m familiar with. I think Adele is great and can’t deny her talent.
Good singer. Alright album
Bland songs. Nice voice. This didn't move the needle for me.
A humble and funny artist with a unique soulful voice but as an album... You couldn't give it less than a 3, you couldn't give it more than a 3 - so I guess it's a 3?
Adèle. Not a huge fan but I can listen to her in small doses.
theres a lot to like, but not a lot to love
Much better production on this album than on the last Adele album. Still not big fan of her songs though. I heard actual instruments this time so, that was a big plus. If her albums are improving with release, maybe some of her songs will be on my playlist the next time I get an Adele album randomly assigned to me.
blend. some hit songs be hitting tho.
Put this on, grab your wine, chocolates and Bridget Jones paperback, and let the cats wonder why you're crying again
This is the album I first heard Adele, or should I say paid attention. What a talent.
Really feels like white bread to me. Sure you can eat it by itself, but in its current state it just kind of feels bland. If I had absolutely NOTHING else to eat it would work, but I wouldn’t be too happy with it.
The bops hit. Her voice is incredible. But the rest of the tracks are so boring.
Rolling in the Deep is one of *the* great pop songs. Otherwise, so-so
#503. Solid. 3/5: acceptable
50% Killer, 50% filler.
7/10
"Rolling in the Deep" and "Rumour Has It" go hard as fuck and then it becomes nothing but intolerable sad-girl-with-a-piano music. The cover of "Lovesong" is OK.
I guess if I want to sit in my room and drown in melancholy thoughts all day, then this album will fit the bill. The songs are beautiful, but they’re all about one thing. I like albums that play on a wide variety of emotions. This is too much blubbering.
The singles on this Album are fantastic. The rest are a collection of incredibly boring ballads.
Three fantastic songs, the rest is fine. It’s not really my taste to be honest, but I can appreciate the beauty and emotion of her voice
pretty dull sometimes but i like it more than i don’t
Did we really need multiple Adele albums? Good voice, but samey music
Incradible voice, incredible production, but there's just too much ballads and they don't always have a lot to offer. At least for me.
Lovely album. I'm not a fan, but the production and the voice are objectively beautiful. It made quite the impression back then!
Piano/vocal oriented contemporary adult music is really not my kind of music, but I must admit this one has something special. I remember a few of these songs playing over and over on the radio, and singer covering them in every TV shows. It's for sure a huge phenomenon of the last decade.
Good album...not my daily vibe
I liked her voice on some songs. Overall, this is not alluring enough to revisit.
For those who like Adele I can see why they think this is a great album. I’m not one of those; for some reason I never liked Adele. Of the songs on this album, the ones that were radio hits are not as good as some of the others in my opinion. Anyway, it was ok. Three stars.
Adele seemed much older than 21 to me at the time this came out, even though I was well aware of her age (which is indeed the same as my age). I didn't like 'Chasing Pavements', the single from her earlier album (too Norah Jonesy), but this is a big upgrade for me -- a quintessential "pop" album. Pretty catchy songs, solid voice, heavy media saturation. Highlights: 'Rumour Has It', 'Set Fire to the Rain', 'He Won't Go', 'Someone Like You' Lowlights: 'Take It All' (bit of a snoozefest), 'Lovesong' (hard to win me over with a cover, especially a way-smooth-jazzier one)
She can sing. Needs more instruments to hold my attention though.
Great voice. But I don't really like her music. It's ok, the singing is great, but the songs are nothing special.
Well well well it's Adele. Nothing unexpected here.
Impressive voice and inspired songs but I think it is not my favorite style of music.
Pleasant enough. She has a fine voice. Some of the arrangements are very predictable, almost formulaic. It lacks emotion at times. She hits all the right notes but I can't help thinking someone in the studio needed to say, "one more time with feeling". I can understand how it became very popular. Not really my thing. 3/5.
Listened Before? N I feel like I've heard most of the songs here before - not because I have, but because her song structures are so similar over the years. She has a great voice. If her hits weren't so overplayed I'd probably be infatuated - but alas they are and I'm over it. Added to Library? N Songs added to playlist: Someone Like You
Incredible voice and touching lyrics but not a heartbroken young lady so there’s only so much I can relate with. Would love to hear her live some day.
Billions of Spotify plays can't be wrong! Slightly more exciting than the standard adult-contempo fare.
I don’t think I can rate it any higher by virtue of being alive in the UK in the 2010s and hearing it everywhere. BUT the fact that she’s only 21 here and had already put herself up there with the greatest vocalists of all time is crazy. Big up my West Norwood kween, much imitated and never surpassed. Favourite Tracks: Someone Like You, He Won’t Leave Least Fav Track: Set Fire to the Rain
Kinda fun but overplayed
Sounds good but not my genre
She has great range and there are several charting hits here. To me, a lot of her music sounds the same. I can’t deny she has global appeal to a large group of people and she made quite a splash at such a young age. Not a preferred sound for me but I appreciate the talent. 3.5/5
Adele has a great voice and there are some bangers on here, but the album didn’t feel that exciting to me.
I was a little surprised to see Adele make the list. Not for lack of talent of course, but because I just didn't know that she had a back catalogue of good songs. Being ignorant of her outside of her hits, I was honestly kind of assuming that other than, say, "Rolling in the Deep" and "Set Fire to the Rain," that the rest of the album would be kind of run of the mill pop. And in some ways, it was. But I think her talent alone lifts it above just your average vocal pop record. She has a versatile voice, one that could tackle pop ballads, jazz, and probably even the blues. So this kind of voice belting out these (mostly) pop ballads is a treat in and of itself. It actually almost feels a little too normal. She's been around for long enough at this point that we've all gotten over her immense talent and probably take it as normal now. However, her talent, massive though it obviously is, does not change this from being a pretty standard pop record. I love that it uses exclusively arrangements of real instruments, played by real people in a studio. That's one of my favorite things about this record, honestly. Too many pop records rely on other means of instrumentation. Not this one. Adele's voice wouldn't work well outside of this context, so it makes sense. But the songs still follow a similar structure and pattern to other pop songs of their day. There isn't much here to sink your teeth into here. But this is a very good example of what this is - a vocal pop record. It does a great job of showing off the center of attention. But it didn't quite do it for me. Three stars. Standout Tracks: Rolling in the Deep, Rumour Has It, Set Fire to the Rain, I'll Be Waiting
++: Rolling in the Deep, Rumour Has It, I'll Be Waiting +: Set Fire to the Rain, He Won't Go, One and Only, Lovesong +-: Turning Tables, Don't You Remember, Take It All, Someone like You 6,4/10
Didn't like this as much as the other Adele we got, but still think she's cool. 3
Well produced, good voice, tasteful arrangements, southern soul influenced. It starts fairly strong and there are moments in some of the songs but it’s ultimately relative bland, inoffensive dinner party piano ballads.
Great lyrics and space in the songs. Powerful story behind take it all
I'll be waiting was prob the best one. Overall easy to listen to but somewhat cringe/too meemy. Eh, pop is fine i guess. At least she can sing.
p i p e s one and only rumor has it rolling in the deep set fire to the rain 3(.5)?/5
Adele has a great voice. The songs are beautifully arranged. When I heard Adele for the first time, her voice and music seemed familiar from the old days. It sounds like music from the late 50s or early 60s, the kind that was probably never played and only exists in my memory. But this pleasant pop is like popcorn, just too sweet at some point. It lacks the intellectual hook that makes me want to listen to the album again and again. 3/5
I was going to deride this as joyless, but, in this exercises ongoing efforts to make me a better person, I’m only going to say that I don’t find my joy in Adele’s music. I think my dislike is mostly for this sort of voice-forward anthemic style of ballideering that seems empty if one isn’t in for wallowing or wants some instrumental joy stimulus beyond ‘very competent’. Big voice, but I don’t feel it. While that’s maybe on me, it’s a three
Adele is Adele
6/10 The amount of hits on one album is impressive, but it does get stale quickly. Highlights: Set Fire to the Rain Rolling in the Deep Rumour has It Lovesong (The original is better though)
Definitely a 3* for the cultural impact of the album. She is one of the most iconic artists of her generation. Because of that however, I expected more. Beautiful voice and the torch songs shine brightly but the rest of the album feels like it needs to pick up the pace because there is pace missiny
Definitely her best from a song standpoint, and even so. Obviously her voice has a lot of power, but she employs the same vocal tricks over and over, and it gets wearing.
Adele is clearly very skilled, but it's just not my sort of thing. The singles are nice enough, the album tracks are okay and the cover of The Cure just makes me want to listen to The Cure.
The 4 hits are better than I remember. Set Fire to the Rain is pretty great as far as pop songs go. Most of the other songs didn’t interest me at all, but she has a powerful voice
Turns out there’s only so much maudlin I can take.
I enjoyed this more than I thought I would. Still, Adele's voice grates on my nerves after a few tunes. But the songwriting is pretty decent.
Didn't basically every single off this get released as a single? It's alright, one for the mums. Low 3
Some bangers with some filler
Fav song: Lovesong It's ok. The songs are well written and very well performed but I can't help but feel like it's playing it a bit safe with the production and arrangements - very basic ballads with little else to hook into your brain. Still, love that the Cure cover.
Adele uses strong vocals to describe love and strength in her album 21. It is a good album but not life changing for me unfortunately
Lots of huge songs on here
3.5
Adele's voice is amazing and this is one of her better albums for sure. For me being a non-pop fan, I did enjoy this listen and Someone Like You is an absolute classic. Might be the highest rating that a modern pop album receives on this journey 6/10
Never listened to an Adele album, although there were obviously songs on it that I had heard before. And she’s clearly got a fine voice and the music is technically very sound. Possibly too technical. I’m sure this is a hit with any algorithms it encounters and I can see why so many people bought it. But it left me a little cold, despite the voice. Undoubtedly played at weddings. Maybe that’s what leaves me cold. It’s just too engineered to hit that demographic. And I’m sure chat gpt likes it as well. I might listen again. But not regularly.
Overexposed... and yet somehow ten years old and a classic. This will be the Enya of our generation, and I mean that specifically because it was a CD that was purchased by legions of moms. A starbucks CD released in a post starbuck CD world.
Girl can seriously freaking sing. The hits are very well written songs and some of the album cuts are pretty good too. The Cure cover was a fun surprise.
This was alright. Can't believe there are so many hits on this album, but those were really the only songs that did anything for me. Probably not one I will come back to.
Her voice is undeniably amazing. It's also really impressive to come out with an album like this at such a young age. With that said, this kind of music just isn't for me.
The thing is, Adele has a beautiful voice and a lot of the songs were deservedly big hits. It’s just a shame that this feels a bit toothless. It’s well produced but it feels like a very standard pop album
Gear: Abyss DIANA MR Artwork: 📸⬛⬜ Production: 😑🙂👌 Music: 🎤💔✨🎶🍷🧼 Rating: 🎤🎤🎤/5
Like the film Titanic this is not the best album ever made but sold an awful lot of copies. Why? Probably because it hits that sweet spot of appealing to the masses perfectly: brilliant singer, universal themes in the lyrics and decent enough tunes which use inoffensive sound palettes. The Rick Rubin produced songs sound the best and I’m surprised that Adele doesn’t seemed to have worked with him again. He strips away some unnecessary layers to create a much cleaner sound. Also, to the person who took this album off the list and left Steve Earle on: whilst 21 isn’t Dark Side of The Moon or Abbey road I don’t hear Year 7 bands playing ‘Little Rock n Roller’ or hear ‘Guitar Town’ being sung at a karaoke or open mic night whereas ‘Rolling In The Deep’ and ‘Someone Like You’ are absolute staples of pop culture. Maybe deep in the heart of Americana Steve Earle is their Adele but not in my world so surely 21 still deserves a place on the list? Got to admit that Someone Like You hits a lot harder when you’re listening at home alone but I didn’t cry at the end of Titanic either…
Not keen on the ballady stuff, but the upbeat tracks like rolling in the deep are exceptionally polished pop songs. I’d always assumed Rumour Has It was a cover of a 60’s Motown single!
As Verity's favourite artist, I have listened to this album multiple times. First half is much stronger than the second, some good times and there is no doubting the vocal talent.
Adele is SO uneven. When she hits, she really hits (Rolling in the Deep, Set Fire to the Rain) but when she misses and dials up the Celine-level emotion, it just tips very quickly into cringe-town (Turning Tables and the gag-fest of Don't You Remember.)
mainstream
Great voice, great lyrics. Definitely a good album...it's just sad and heartbreaky sooo 3 stars from me because I can't do 3.5
Shes an amazing singer and the album is produced to perfection, but none of the songs are particularly interesting. I liked Lovesong the most, but I think there are many more singer songwriter albums on this list. I could compare it to Amy’s album but won’t.
Albumi #114, 19.11.2024 Adelen kakkosalbumi jatkaa samoilla linjoilla debyyttinsä kanssa. Albumi ilmestyi vuonna 2011.
I kind of always discounted Adele because of all the hype surrounding her, while still knowing she was an impressive vocalist. This is the first time I have listened to one of her albums, and it was quite enjoyable. I usually avoid "the new hotness that everyone is talking about" due to my (possibly misconceived) notion that what's popular is generic and created to be palatable to the masses, and therefore a bit watered down and vague. This album, to me, really doesn't make me change my mind about that type of music, but I really did have fun listening to this album. 3.5 stars
this had some great songs, just some nice bangers
Apart from the popular songs, nothing really that interesting.
Idc that this is generic pop, she has something special. Her voice is so beautiful, and the songs that hit, hit. Some songs were unfortunately pretty boring, it was really all or nothing for me lmfao. Still, ily Adele. Fav Songs: Rolling in the Deep, Set Fire to the Rain, Lovesong
Great voice… ok album.
Some good tunes, bit slow for me at times
I feel like one ballad per album is enough, this one has like five of them. There's a couple great, if not overplayed songs and obviously her voice is powerful, but the slow, methodical pace of the album makes it kind of exhausting
Mid
wasn’t too big of a fan but amazing voice
Almost none of these songs are small. The production in amongst all of them is huge - I would actually be very interested in some versions with just voice and guitar, looks the penultimate Hiding My Heart. Grandiose as it is, it does still feel personal and real. Adele does have an amazing voice for sure, and this album was impactful and popular enough to include in this list.
Ok, so Adele is a good singer, but I have a few problems with this album. 1. All of the hits are overplayed and I cannot stand them anymore 2. Rumour has it is really annoying, and the chorus makes me mad 3. I am not a fan of pop music I really didn't expect a cover of The Cure, but that was nice (check out their new album it's great). That being said this is some of the best pop music out there. High 3.
Feel free to take this review with a grain of salt, because I just really didn't feel like finishing this album. I really, on some fundamental level, do not understand anyone who thinks this album is full of emotion? It's intricately produced, and Adele can definitely belt. But that's the exact problem. It sounds like she ran these songs back until she did everything absolutely "perfectly" and then they further polished that. Her cover of Lovesong is a great example. Adele sounds like she's really focused on her technique. Make sure to expand the stomach, keep your airway aligned, squeeze so you keep the perfect amount of air flowing. Every once in a while, her voice hitches, but that sounds more like damage than emotion. Robert Smith, meanwhile, sounds like he's struggling to be vulnerable and open up to a partner. He also sounds so sad he can barely move his mouth to sing the song. He's obviously not as good of a singer as Adele, but he also sounds like he's actually feeling the song rather than feeling how well he's singing. It sounds like he recorded a call to his wife where he revealed a tiny, fragile part of his soul, and it just happened to be melodic. I'll still give it a 3, because it's certainly competent. But that's all it is. It's like a paint by numbers you give a child to learn how to do art, and they just graduated to copying it without the numbers.
some hits and some passable filler with the lens of a once-in-a-lifetime voice
mid
A great voice that absolutely does not move me in any way. Doesn't help that being British, we get bombarded with her whenever she releases new music, I've heard every single from this album way more than I would ever want to.
She has a great voice and there’s real soul in her singing, I’m just not the biggest fan. It’s not a bad album though.
Definitivamente não é do meu gosto, mas não é um álbum ruim. Tem algumas faixas bem famosas, como "Rolling in the Deep", "Set Fire to the Rain" e "Someone Like You" que, novamente, podem ser boas músicas, mas não me agradam muito. Entretanto, uma música em específico me chamou atenção: faixa 6, "He Won't Go". Genuinamente gostei dessa música e foi uma grata surpresa. Acho que um grande destaque é a voz da Adele. Voz muito imponente e inegavelmente de muita qualidade.
Decent
i can’t believe she was 21 when she released this, she should’ve been at the club 3.5
I’ve never been a huge Adele fan, but I’m surprised this album got cut from the list. There’s so many hits from this album and at the time, felt like a really nice divergence from the other pop hits (Katy Perry’s Firework, Maroon 5’s Moves Like Jagger). Favorite song: He Won’t Go Least favorite: Turning Tables Knew before? Just the hits.
Pretty good
This is what I think of when I think Adult Contemporary Radio or Lite Radio. Most of these songs were hits on this formats. Some of these songs sound like they are 20, 30, 30 years older than they are and for that she loses a star. With a voice like that and to not have your own personal sound is a shame. Most are good, some are God awful (I'm looking at you Don't You Remember). I'm glad I listened. I wouldn't seek this record out myself though
Feel pretty much the same about this as I did about the last Adele album. I can see the appeal, the songs are good, she’s talented, I didn’t mind listening, but it’s not really my thing
Decent: Best: Set fire to the rain Worst: He wont go New add: Dont you remember
What a voice... But 45+ minutes of it does start to grate a bit
Easy music to listen to.
SHE GOT PIPES DAMN Music I can recognize is good, but not something i'm going to choose to listen to on my playlists.
Ihan ok poppia, on parempaakin kuultu. Balladit ihan kivoja ja isoimmat hitit tietenkin kovia. Parhaat: Set Fire To The Rain, Rolling In The Deep, Someone Like You, Turning Tables
My mom has this CD
Started to lose me towards the end with the low energy back half but a good album regardless. 3/5
This is fine.
Decent album. Good voice and mostly mellow melodies. I'm not much of a mellow music person, so while I appreciated the music, an entire album got a bit boring after a while. But still decent music.
Rolling in the Deep and Someone Like You are decent, but I did not need to listen to over 40 minutes of break-up music today. She’s got an incredible voice; it’s a shame the music isn’t of the same quality.
Rolling in the Deep, Set Fire to the Rain, and Someone Like You = 3 big tunes. Potentially 5 stars. The rest of the album is pretty poor, more like 2 stars. Overall it's getting a 3.
There is a very obvious gulf in the quality of the singles vs the rest of the tracks. However the performances and the studio production are both consistently excellent.
I don’t mind a bit of blue-eyed soul but contemporary easy listening is not a genre I have on high rotation. Some pretty tracks nonetheless.
Quite bland and lacking variation, though I was pleasantly surprised to hear a cover of a song by The Cure on there.
Great vocals but there really isn't much interesting here, 3
I like Adele; I don’t love Adele. I get why Adele is included on this list – and I understand specifically why 21 is here (although justice for 19 > 25) – and I think it’s fair to say that the reasoning is much deeper than her insane sales numbers. Adele, specifically during this era, was the last of the Turn of the Century Revivalists™, following in the wake of Norah Jones, Joss Stone, Duffy, and, most obviously, Amy Winehouse. She also filled a gap in the Adult Contemporary market, a chart that was largely left vacant following Celine Dion’s crescendo in the early 2000s, as the former group of women mostly had crossover pop appeal (potentially thanks to the Millennials who wore business casual to the club, although even the twee-est of us were shopping on ModCloth, so, yeah, we liked a lot of Mom Music™ for some reason). I recently was reading a Reddit thread about how Lady Gaga’s rise killed this blue-eyed soul revival, with Adele being the sole exception, though that line of thought was never expanded upon in the comments below. Listening to 21, I think the reason this still broke through at the time is obvious: good soul songs with a beat. The best parts about this album – the parts you remember fondly and the parts that got it to fit in with the electro-pop charts of 2011 – are all the songs that have an actual groove, an actual rhythm, and feel most like an Amy Winehouse or old Dusty Springfield song, or hell, even a non-trip-hop Everything But the Girl or Dido! “Rolling in the Deep,” “Rumor Has It,” “He Won’t Go,” and “I’ll Be Waiting” all shine, and they’re all very intricately written. The other thing that stands out about 21 is how well-produced it is, and how the details and flourishes feel, well, essential. This benefits songs that lack a beat, like “Turning Tables” and “Don’t You Remember,” where the pianos feel rhythmic and Adele’s melodies have a bounce to them. All these songs are appealing because they aren’t *just* ballads for Moms to cry to in their minivans, but they also aren’t niche music critic addiction tales, either. It takes the good elements of 19 and adds shine onto an already great package. The problem is, this is only about 50% of the album. The other half is exactly what you think about when you think about Adele and roll your eyes. It’s the ballads. It’s the “Set Fire to the Rain” and the “Take It All” and the “Someone Like You” and everything else in between that’s so forgettable that I don’t even care to even mention it. It’s by and large every track reduced by Rick Rubin, and those stripped-down reductions are noticeable and also for the worst. Sure, they may have been what catapulted Adele to be a superstar (everyone likes a residency-type), but it also sucks the soul out of this record. Those instrumental backing band details are gone on these tracks. The rhythmic bounce is nonexistent. Adele belts, but she doesn’t flow. And what was once sincere songwriting and interesting composition becomes belted vocals with no true purpose. These ballads are what Adele becomes, because these songs sold to everyone, including your grandmother, but I think it was for the worse. In practice, they made Adele less interesting, and now, 2 albums out with a third not on the horizon any time soon, I’d argue it was a double-edged sword that may have stunted her longevity, and frankly, any chance at a legacy. That double-edged sword is clear on 21, an album that I could cut in half evenly. On one hand, a bouncy, soulful, intricately-crafted Adult Contemporary classic deserving of praise, especially in a genre that rarely gets respected because critics hate schmaltz; on the other hand, a half dozen ballads given little care by the world’s worst minimalist that sold well and appealed to everyone on earth, but didn’t actually win anyone over. I think it’s important to note the value of both those traits in 21, but there’s also something frustrating about this fact that makes it simultaneously a frustrating listen as you realize what Adele could have been, and a bland one as you listen to what she would become.
...
7/10 Much better than the other Adele album I have listened to. I found that one a little boring and reliant on her great voice. This one had bigger production, less subtle yes, but more interesting. Voice was good from the beginning, much more propulsive music. More songs I was familiar with than I knew. Best: Rolljng in the Deep
Like with Streisand and a few others, I love her voice, for about three songs. Then it becomes tiresome.
I like some of Adele's work. My favourite of her's being "Skyfall" but that song isn't on "21". I think "Rolling in the Deep" and "Set Fire to the Rain" are the best tracks. The other songs weren't memorable or interesting. In conclusion, this album is alright but a bit bland. I'll give "21" 3 stars.
At first I was like 🙄 not as good as I remember and then don’t you remember came on
Surprenament je pense que j'ai préféré 25 à celui-ci. J'ai bien aimé en général, mais les compositions perdaient en fraicheur au fur et à mesure que l'album avançait. En plus, la reprise de Lovesong n'est vraiment pas très bonne. Il y a toujours l'aspect aussi que la voix d'Adele finit par me tanner à la longue. 7/10
Hvis der var blevet skåret et nummer eller 3 kunne vi sagtens have en 4/5 situation men jeg synes den bliver for monoton. Slet ikke behov for det Cure cover. Fantastisk sidste nummer dog
3.5/5
He Won't Go is the best song on the record. Ill Be Waiting is another standout. The album tracks are generally more interesting than the big singles. Big issue is that it's not that interesting. Ryan Tedder songs sound like Ryan Tedder songs. The happier sounding songs are better than the low energy big vocals slow songs. All these album lists keep trying to convince me this is one of those great albums, but it's okay.
I was 21 when this was first released, so obviously it left an indelible mark on my psyche. That being said, I haven't actually listened to the full album in probably close to 10 years and it doesn't really hold up as well as I was going it would. The big hits are still fantastic, "Rolling in the Deep", "Set Fire to the Rain", "Rumour Has It" and "Someone Like You" are all powerhouses. But all the songs in between them just feel lacking anymore. I do still enjoy her cover of "Lovesong". So a 3 rating. It's enjoyable enough that I'll listen to it again, but it didn't overly impress me, even with the nostalgia factor.
Whinge
I don't like Adele
my issue with ‘21’ and more widely with adele is that it fails to evoke any emotion in me. i don’t find the songs particularly inspiring, and the lyrics a bit boring. having said this, i can appreciate a good vocalist, and it is undeniable that adele has an incredible voice and can really belt when she wants to. i can see that if you like this type of song, the album would be perfect for you, but it’s just not fully my bag.
Ah here we go again. This list loves British artists for some reason, huh? Only kidding, Adele is a global treasure at this point. I've never been a fan save for a few singles, most of which appear on this album. This is an obvious inclusion on this list, I can't deny that, but for me it's nothing to write home about. Rolling in the Deep, Rumour Has It, Set Fire to the Rain, and Someone Like You flooded the airwaves back in the day and it was unavoidable. Some of them are catchy and show someone mastering their vocal skills while lamenting past relationships.
Nice voice, passionate, and heartbreaking. Fave: Set Fire to the Rain
Hmmm, it's all very competently done, but none of it really connects with me. I'm glad my media bubble had become pretty hardened by 2011 because if I was forced to listen to some of these tracks repeatedly I suspect I'd grow to hate them, but as it is, I feel pretty neutral about em. Fave track - uh, "Someone Like You" maybe? I was gonna say "Rumour Has It" as it stood out on these listens, but I suspect more repetitions and it'd start to annoy me...
The big hits off this were certainly inescapable back in the early 2010s, but this is the first time I listened to the album proper. There's maybe one ballad too many but overall I'd say it's pretty great for it's genre. I'll Be Waiting is an absolute banger. I am *baffled* as to how it's the least popular song by far according to Spotify. I am, however, deducting an entire point for the completely uninspired and unnecessary cover of The Cure's Lovesong. It's already been covered to death, the pedestrian bossanova accompaniment adds nothing, and it's even missing the biggest melodic hook from the song.
Surprised how many of the songs I knew from the Album. But of course they were playing everywhere by the time, in my mid twenties. Time is passing by so fast. I love Rolling in the Deep.
My first modern pop record on here. Some huge hits on this album but can't say I've ever listened through it. Apparently this is the world's best-selling album of the 21st century, and the top-performing album in US chart history?? :wow: Big hits on here: Rolling in the Deep, Set Fire to the Rain, Someone Like You. Definitely the first album I've listened to on YTM that has tracks with over a billion plays! Rumour Has It: Like this one. got a fun, stomp & clap style. She has a real classic, old-fashioned style of singing that can be really enjoyable. You could believe this one came out in the 60s. As these tracks go on, honestly the way she sings almost hurts my throat listening, I don't understand how she sustains that. Some forgettable tracks here, some nice piano ballads mixed in. I'll be Waiting has some fun exciting instrumentation. Prob my favorite so far. There's a cover of The Cure's Lovesong on here?? It works! In sum: An incredibly powerful voice, a hugely impactful album, some fun karaoke tracks, but not exactly my style, and I wouldn't seek it out to listen again. And frankly the way she sings in that belting style on this album is painful for me to listen to more than one song in a row. 3/5
Amazing voice, love the songs with blues styling
An amazing singer, some of the songs are fantastic. But it does get a bit boring, a lot of the songs are very similar, but this could be down to me not clicking with this album, I can understand why some people would regard this as a masterpiece and would not argue with them if they told me that! I'll be waiting I found it as a personal highlight, could imagine Dusty Springfield or Janis Joplin singing this! But again, that voice is just amazing!
Amazing voice, some beautiful songs, gets a bit meh away from the hits
Ok.
Ik heb een keer eerder Adele gehad in deze lijst. Toen gaf ik een 4. Ik ga nu iets lager geven. Eén Adele album was genoeg voor me. Nu begint het me iets teveel als strijkmuziek te klinken voor huisvrouwen zonder eigen smaak. Misschien heb ik een deel van dit album te vaak op de radio gehoord. Het andere album was ook wat beter wat mij betreft.
Some absolute belters in here. Rolling in the Deep is a cracking opening song.
Great songs great production and great singing, makes for easy listening but not much more
Gave 25 a 4. Might have been a bit aggressive at the time. I still think Adele is one of if not the greatest female singers of the last 50 years. This one got a bit overplayed, but has some mister hits on it. Gotta dial it back a notch but still a 3.75.
This album was everywhere. Giant hits and tons upon tons of album sales. Adele has a great voice, though sometimes shows off too much. The singles are mostly killer, some great deep cuts too but also some songs that aren't that interesting or memorable. It's a good record
meh
Damn, some pipes on Adele. Okay, so I’m a hater, sop-pop is garbage, no one can change my mind. I thought this list was made in 2005 so was surprised to see Adele’s mug staring into my soul first thing in the morning. That’s my take anyway, but 50,000,000 Elvis fans can’t be wrong. This album and these songs were on everyone’s ears and everyone’s mouths growing up, a massive impact on the charts gan dabht. I didn’t absolutely hate it, just does nothing. The backing music in the finale, The Sweetest Devotion, was pretty sweet. A Million Years Ago
I love the first track (Rolling in the Deep). The rest of the album is OK. 2.5 stars, rounded up for the first one
Doesn't matter whether or not she can sing — her music is overbearing (and boring at times), so that's that.
She's really good.... but is she doing something new here? I can't tell. It's not really my style.
Adele’s voice is enough to make this pleasant to listen to but I do just think her music is pretty boring I’m sorry… best song rumor has it worst song someone like you
Fine
Adele is at her best when it's just her and a piano. It's like they couldn't decide if they wanted to do that or have a lot of production behind her so they did both. the overly produced ones drown out her voice.
Diva Jams.
I burned someone's copy of this CD for my car when it came out, I think from my sister. Adele has a powerhouse of a voice, and songs like Someone Like You and Rolling in the Deep deserve the popularity they still have to this day. But...the songs outside of the hits are proper boring at times. Particularly the cover of Lovesong, which I'd honestly forgotten about, probably because I usually skipped most of the CD and just practiced my car karaoke skills to the hits. Hopefully I forget about it again. 3 stars because of the classics.
I forgot I like the later cuts. It sounds dated now.
First time listening to Adele. Have the feeling this album would really benefit from being a big fan of 19. Or at least listened to it. It's nice work, nothing spectacular for me.
It's not a bad album. I just don't care for Adele that much, to be honest. To my ears it's highly produced pop music that isn't very interesting.
Amazing voice. Not my cup of tea though.
The individual songs are worthy of 4 stars but they all sound so similar to me that I can only give 3 stars or C+.
A voice magnetic, Drawing you deeper, deeper Into pop magic
Fav: Someone Like You Least Fav: He Won’t Go
Absolutely love her voice with the tunes are not very interesting to me beyond the hits
Le lle lle releii
Okay, this had every right to be so obscenely successful, all things considered, past tense, 2011. I hear that it's good. Along the trajectory of Norah Jones' and Amy Whinehouse' music. Etc. pp. Soul Pop, at its most serviceable. But by the 4th song, I've also had enough. Rolling in the Deep is a great start, Set Fire to the Rain sometimes creeps in my ear and stays there for a while, which I'm okay with, Lovesong is neat, (that's right, no mention of Someone Like You) but hey: turns out, \"21\" is one of the 77 Albums That You Don't Really Need To Hear Now Before You Die and I might tick the 'didn't listen' tomorrow. Because pffff.
Pretty good. The hits were the best, but the others weren't just fillers. Pleased to hear a variety of moods and tempos.
Adele showing she has an amazing voice but dammit she needs better songs to apply it to. Rolling in the Deep will be a personal favorite, its unfortunate the rest of her catalogue doesnt match. Rumor Has It and Set Fire to the Rain dont reach the same high, and Someone Like You is a clear example of sounding great but the song being trash garbage. The rest is just ok.
I was ready to hate it at worst or be indifferent about it at best. I live in a tight enough music bubble that I never ever heard a song from her (or none that I could identify as being from her) and I was expecting way worst seing her popularity. And... I must say she's got a great voice (and pretty well-used) and the music backing her is decent. I can't say I'll listen to her again willingly, but it was not unpleasant.
She has a great voice but the songs are forgettable.
zeer sterke vocals grote hits die blijven hangen begin van album is sterker dan tweede helft, kwaliteit zwakt klein beetje af 3,5/5
All the songs about infidelity you can stand!
Fine. I’m glad others have found joy in this album, but this album did not inspire similar feelings in me. Rolling In The Deep is a great song but nothing else grabbed on here.
adele has one song and one vocal and musical style. she does it well, but a full album of the same song can get tiring.
It's actually pretty amazing how despite I've never sought this album out, I have heard pretty much this entire album front to back just going about day to day life. Normally you hear one or two singles of a popular artist's album thanks to radio and media and the rest is a mystery. But I think I have heard every song on here at least once (some a lot more than once), which just goes to show how huge this album was and Adele is. Her beautiful voice really doesn't need any more introduction. While I didn't love anything here, I completely see the merit and praise this album gets, and I'll return to these tracks every now and then (provided they will probably find me first)
Great voice, liked several songs, but there was some filler. The Cure cover could have been better
Pretty good. Great vocals, but with the exception of the singles, the songs have very basic backing instruments.
I'll always be amazed by the amount of power she packs in her voice. Favorite track: Set Fire to the Rain
Three great singles and a neat The Cure cover. 3.5/5.
At the time Somebody like you sounded like the best song ever. Today this album feels boring, sorry Adele
going in to listening to this album, i had only heard the four singles. i didn't know if we were going to get more songs along the lines of "Rumour Has It" / "Rolling In The Deep" or "Set Fire to the Rain" / "Someone Like You" and that was going to weigh my opinion one way or the other. almost every other song on the album was in the latter category of boring love ballads, unfortunately. I really, really dislike "Set Fire to the Rain" in particular, so it was quite slog. this kind of soaring love balladry is so intensely boring. The album was a 2.5, but I'm feeling *generous* when I round it up to a 3 for the first two tracks.
Enjoyed it when it came out, enjoyed it again
Adele is a brilliant singer, but the album itself is not the most mind blowing thing in the world. There are some enjoyable hits on here though. It is just simple, straightforward music to listen to.
Way better than I expected, but that's not saying an awful lot
I think the unfortunate part of listening to an Adele album that has so many hits is that I’m tempted to skip past half the album. There’s a reason some of these songs are still racking up radio play, but overall I don’t think I find them enjoyable anymore.
She has an amazing voice. The music is catchy. The songs sound fantastic. But a whole album of songs pretty much entirely venting about relationship problems… give me strength. It could have been a 4 but I got bored so it dropped to a 3. Listens: 1 Fave Track: Set Fire To The Rain Rating: 3
First thought: didn’t I listen to this already? No. Apparently all her albums have numerical titles (her age? Impressive if she was just 21 here) and similar covers. Okay. My feelings toward this album are the same as whatever 20-something the other one was: she’s very talented, and I can see the appeal, but the occasional play on the radio or a grocery store is enough for me. I found myself getting irritated a few tracks in. “Set Fire To The Rain” is probably my favorite song of hers.
could i write poetry to this? n
Like a lot of great singers, a few amazing songs and then a bunch of fluff.
A better more diverse piece of music than its sequel. Adele hits all the right notes here , although it remains somewhat slightly bland it’s a very strong 3/5*
Adele is an incredible and amazing singer; it's wonderful to hear her sing (except for the repeated growling on some of the singles.) The singles were actually my least favorite part, although I'm biased because I heard them so much when they came out. "Set Fire to the Rain" was the least enjoyable because...what does that even mean? It also felt like the singles were these big flashy pieces against the other tracks that had almost a jazz club or coffee shop vibe. I think I got ballad fatigue from this album. No one song is bad, but many of them didn't click with me. It is at least interesting to hear how many different perspectives about an relationship Adele can sing about. I didn't expect the "Love song" cover. "He Won't Go" is a good song. It's a very soulful pop album, but it just wasn't my cup of tea.
A few good songs but that's really all it is
Typical Adele
Wasn’t obsessed with these songs when they came out but I did like them more than other pop stuff. Better than whoever the current version of Adele is
Was quite sensational at the time and i liked it. I could not appreciate it as much as back then, but nevertheless still a good album!
Probably the album where i know the most amount of songs I remember after hearing these songs on the radio so much i grew a distaste towards piano ballads. Hasnt changed unfortunately but thats a personal preference. Adele is one hell of a vocalist tho
I admittedly haven’t listened to much Adele specifically because I always viewed her as a pop artist, and so have written her off as such. However, forcing myself to actually listen to one of her albums, I cannot deny that she has a fantastic voice, very soulful. But I just don’t like pop, and that what too much of this is. The first couple songs, which I was familiar with, did a good job of showcasing her voice. One and only deserves to be bigger than it is as well. However, the rest of the album had far too many played out pop tropes for my liking. All in all, I have a better appreciation for Adele than I did before giving this album a proper listen, but I still don’t see why it would be one of the biggest selling albums of all time.
Nicer than I thought it would be.
3.5 stars. Starts off with a banger ("Rolling in the Deep") but kinda tails off from there. Both when it was released and re-listening now I wasn't into the other hits as much as the leadoff track. And while the rest of the album is fine, I don't really love it. She has a beautiful voice, but these songs don't really grab me in a meaningful way.
First time I’ve listened to this whole album. The hits are justifiable and Rolling in the Deep is a very special song , melodically, and in terms of the texture that captures the simmering rage of the singer. Adele’s voice is unparalleled. But I found the songs on this album to be an extended examination of her in relation to another person, an approach and avoid kind of unresolved infatuation with another person. I found myself just screaming “fucking let him go!” The arrangements on the album are overdone and feel mixed in such a way that they are just a flat wall of sound. Adele’s vocals sit back in the mix and everything feels very compressed. So, a couple of important tracks but overall, not a great album.
I mean it’s Adele so it was good
Pretty good for sure. Never listened to her much before but absolutely worth a listen. Wanted one or more songs on the album that I liked as much as rolling in the deep to get 4 stars from me. Need a 3.5 stars option.
Its good music but not really my type
second half bit less interesting, decent to good album
Her vocals are amazing and Rolling is legit a bop, but to my taste overall it sounds... boring? It's too smooth and too polished for me. Still, objectively it's a pretty awesome piece of music.
Okay Adele is pretty good, I’ll admit it. I feel like there wasn’t a lot of instruments but her voice is overpowering and to be fair her voice is amazing so it works well Favorite: fire to the rain Least favorite: none 3.9/5
I get that Adele is great, but man there is nothing about this music that is appealing at all.
Great songs. Enjoyable. Just not a perfect album.
You know, I had listened to this record when it came out and was unsure how I felt about it then. There are some great tracks for sure, but there's also a lot that I feel ambivalent about. Adele is kind of always like that for me. She has some super incredible tracks, but most of it feels like filler. The best track on this record is "Someone Like You" by a long shot. I am even pretty disinterested int he other singles. Obviously her voice is incredible and none of the music is outright bad at all, but not mind-blowing.
Some great songs, some that didn't do much for me. Great voice and great production.
Liked Songs Rolling in the Deep Rumor Has It Set Fire to the Rain Someone Like You
Solid
Good voice. Good songs. 3 stars
It's good I just don't like it.
Das Album ist so la-la., bis auf das Juwel Rolling in the Deep, das sie mit Paul Epworth geschrieben hat (von dem wohl die Discofoc Beats stammen und der ein alter James Bond Soundtrack-Hase ist).
Mostly not my thing, found some cool songs tho
Eh. I understand why people like it - she has a great voice - but it's bland to me.
Find her boring although one of the greatest voices in music and even with good lyrics. Some are good most are the same. Good listen but nothing special to me. Like celine dion vibe. I would never go see her live even f free tickets are offered.
Almost classic
Such a talented voice and this album has many of her familiar songs on it. "Someone Like You" is probably my fave song of hers, but a special treat was hearing her cover of "Lovesong" by The Cure as the penultimate song on the album. Ultimately, not my kind of music and I can't see myself choosing to listen to this album voluntarily for at least another 5 years.
me gustaron algunas canciones del album, Lovesong quedó como mi favorita hasta ahora y Rumour has it me llegó de otra forma, para no ser de mi gusto está bueno 3/5
4 homeruns, the rest ate good, by kind of filler-y. Might bump it up upon subsequent registers. This is a high 3
This is all very well done. Adele is certainly a talented singer. And the music is impeccably crafted, perfectly polished to a sheen. So why don’t I like it? It’s all so exacting, pretty. So… well, souless. I felt no emotional connection to any of it. Nothing at all. A very, VERY competent album. Which is really a letdown. I’m following it up with Dusty Springfield’s “Dusty In Memphis”…. Much better. 3/5
Didn't think I'd like it but it's a lovely album. Good mix of slow ballads and more uptempo songs. Obviously her voice is great and stands up to some of the great singers of old. 3.5/5 Might listen to a few songs again
This album was released just as we bought our house and I have memories of the hits being played as we renovated the place. The production is immaculate as a platform for Adele's voice. So many vocalists have copied her style since then that it is hard to remember how fresh it sounded when it was first released. The first two songs and the last two are my favorites.
Good album. No specific songs stood out.
21 probably has more mainstream hits on it than any other Adele album. It's perfectly pleasant throughout, well-sung and well-written, but is more comfortable than dynamic. It's at its most exciting early on, opening with "Rolling in the Deep" and "Rumour Has It". It sounds good throughout, but it isn't the type of album I see myself revisiting in full very often.
3.4
3.5/5
Amazing voice. Album is full of modern classics. 3/5
to be fair to adele this album is good and produced a ridiculous amount of hits but it’s just mediocre pop in my opinion
Not my cup of tea although there are some bangers on here
Tired of rolling but someone like you and one and only are standouts.
It's pretty good, but some songs feel like they drag on a bit. Love her voice though!
This honestly just feels like watered down Amy Winehouse. Is her voice incredible. Yes. Does it lack a soul outside of the minimalist milieu that it was created in? Also yes. Maybe it’s because I’ve just been beat over the head with all the hits from this album since I was a teenager but I just find this unremarkable. I don’t think just having a good voice deserves a spot on this list.
Amazing voice, songs themselves are a bit bland
💖 set fire to the rain 🗣️ 7️⃣
classic meteen al. Niet echt mijn muziek tho
this album wasn't really for me, though i know it is for millions of other people. adele has a great voice but most of these songs are just uninteresting pop-soul music for white people. i will say that having already listened to 25 during this 1001 albums run, 21 is far better. there are way more huge hits on this 21, along with the songs all sounding at least a bit different from each other. also maybe it's just me but i can't believe she's still titling albums after her age when writing them. it was kind of a fun gimmick at first but now that 30 has dropped, it feels super corny to me. favorites: rolling in the deep, rumour has it, set fire to the rain, lovesong, someone like you
There’s no denying the girl can sing. Some good and popular songs but not an album I’ve ever asked or plan to ask Alexa to play. Not my favorite and not the worst.
She’s good. I woke up singing her song though, that was a bit annoying and cost 1 star.
Incredible voice. Very enjoyable album 9/10
Opening track is better than I was expecting. “Rumor has it”, great voice. Almost like old Motown. The opening tracks were great. Now in the middle they all sound the same. Slow piano ballad
Maybe it's just the curse of the big singles being so ridiculously huge that the other stuff just pales in comparison, but especially after 'Set Fire to the Rain' i'm just sitting around waiting for 'Someone Like You' to pop up. No denying her voice is incredible though, shame the Cure cover is a bit toothless as that could've been fun. Will say though, 'Someone Like You' is a 11/10 ballad, and ending the album on that is a power move.
21 has the same problem that Feel Good Inc. and Clint eastwood have. both of these gorillaz songs are awesome, but when you've heard them countless times without wanting to they lose most of their charm. most songs off this project are like that. if i was listening in 2011 or had back then i'm sure this would be higher. as it is, i only really vibed with the few songs that i hadn't heard too many times before.
It is what it is. Set fire to rain is a definite highlight.
I am very familiar with Adele because she had so many singles on the radio for this album. I honestly was not a fan of those singles at all. So I'm surprised to hear the other songs on the album and I actually like all of the better than the ones they chose to release as singles. This album still isn't really my style but I can respect and appreciate her impressive vocal talent. That alone will increase my ranking from a 2 to 3 out of 5.
A good display of a young woman with talent to burn. Of course, "Rolling in the Deep" has been beaten to death since it was released, but if you listen to it as if you've never heard it, it is a powerful song. "Rumor Has It" is pretty kitschy, but I tolerate it for my Adele adoring wife. If "Someone Like You" doesn't stick a dagger in your heart, you haven't done enough living.
I've always enjoyed the Adele singles as much as the next person but never really dove into the full lengths. It was enjoyable but the best parts were indeed the singles. She's incredibly talented, just not my taste. Standout tracks: Rolling in the Deep, Set Fire to the Rain, Lovesong, Someone Like You
There can't be many albums that have 3 songs with over a billion streams on Spotify. Undeniably amazing voice - whether you like her music or not, you have to appreciate that she can sing. I had heard a lot of this record but never all the way through. The trouble with this album is that it's sort of scattered. Some great songs (that everyone knows) but then a lot of filler. I've seen other reviews for this album saying it's like a greatest hits record but I don't get that at all. There are some bangers on here for sure but the whole album? I don't know. It flows well and I actually like how it kind of alternates a bit between the ups and downs. But the downs are forgettable, like just to fill in space to the next great song. 3.5 but rounding down to 3 for some reason.
First few pack a punch but then later ones kind of sound the same and lyrics weren’t as good.
I love her voice but got tired of the songs
Her hits are hits for a reason. Good songs. Can't be bothered with the rest
2 out and out all time great banging tunes. the rest of the album far too slow and jazz influenced for me. Her style of holding a note for a long time is impressive I guess but don't think it makes good music. I'm rating the album as a whole not the singles, even though they are top quality so 3
Adele's voice is incredible, the music was amazing, but I got sick of hearing how desperate she was to get the love of whoever she was singing about back. Solid 7/10
It's as painfully average as every other Adele album. Three stars for it being her big break.
Incredible voice. Too bad she used it for some of the most mid pop-ballad songs there are.
She's a phenomenal singer. Some classics on here, I'm just tired of hearing them.
there are some undeniable 2010’s classics on here. vocally she’s been very influential as well. which is annoying. the belting stops being impressive pretty quick. hearing watered down versions of her in my local circuit makes me wish she never existed at all.
A few bangers in here - rolling in the deep, someone like you, set fire to the rain... But I wouldn't listen to the whole album again.
First Album
Nice, intense voice.. Popig halt :)
She is a skilled singer, but not my taste
It’s an enjoyable album. Kinda feels like Walmart 60’s music though
Good singer songwriter album. I did rolling the deep for a talent show once. Not a real review. Chasing pavements is definitely my favorite song of hers but this one is a better overall album experience
A good album, but not great. Most of the standout tracks for me were the radio singles I already knew. Adele has a great voice but by the end of the album I was getting a little tired of the signature style she plays in.
This album is better than 25 in just about every way. Unlike the latter, the percussion on 21 isn't obnoxiously electric, and the acoustic elements are emphasised. Use of strings is quite prominent and complements Adele's singing nicely. The production is high-quality and sounds really fresh. On the flipside: the songs aren't very memorable or lyrically compelling (this only applies to the ones I hadn't heard previously). Additionally, Adele's vocal timbre is such that it sounds like she's constantly trying too hard. It's a little off-putting, especially in tracks like Set Fire to the Rain that have almost zero textural variation. Adele also overuses little melodic inflections, which isn't a huge issue except during close listening. Favourite tracks: Turning Tables, Don't You Remember, I'll Be Waiting
best adele album
Gave it two listens, and yeah, I get why it was popular and why people were excited about it, but honestly, it's a bit too "glossy" for me, overproduced, not clever enough. She's got a really distinctive voice and the song selection is interesting but that said, this just isn't the sort of thing I regularly listen to, and it's not all that unique, so I didn't really get much from it.
It's undeniable that Adele has an incredible voice, and some of these songs are really strong, but it's not something I'd typically listen to. There are also a few "truck driver's gear shift" key changes here that I don't feel were necessary.
This is fine.
3 1/2
Boring song structure, goes nowhere, produced to perfection that the soul gets ripped out. Still better than most pop
Pretty good. Fire to the rain and someone like you are stand outs. This is a breakup album
This may sound a bit cynical, but it feels a bit X-Factor-y for me. She's got a big voice, but it's like a lot of the songs are just a vehicle for her voice and not a lot more. I don't find the songs themselves that particularly interesting bar a few. It's ok overall.