Back To Black

I can't help but like this. Especially the Mark Ronson produced tracks - they capture that Phil Spector & Motown vibe so well with just the right amount of modern punch, dynamics, and flair. She has an incredibly soulful voice and her more modern/almost conversational lyrics make the experience more thrilling and not just a revival record. I feel like this is done with absolute reverence for the past while not simply being a reenactment act - similar to the way say the White Stripes' influences are obvious yet they coalesce into something fresh and unique. You can tell this comes from a real place and it is of course a tragedy that she was consumed by her addictions.

I freely admit that I've been living under a rock since about 1995. I was of course aware of Amy Winehouse and felt the grief of her fans when she died but I'd never listened to her music. (OK, maybe I saw them do Rehab on Glee...) I didn't know what to expect but it sure wasn't this. Musically, it's a joy to hear such a clear echo of the girl groups and soul singers of the 1960s --- I especially like the sample of Ain't No Mountain High Enough in Tears Dry on Their Own. The music sounds completely modern and nicely retro. Lyrically, it's sometimes hilarious (what kind of fuckery is this?) but mostly it's depressing as hell. I hear a woman trying desperately to numb her pain while trying to sound devil-may-care. And it is obviously so much worse considering how her short life ended. I can't imagine a bleaker sentiment than Love is a Losing Game. One or two songs are misses for me but overall I really like this album. I'm angry that we lost such a talent so early and I hope that she is resting in peace.

A soulful, beautifully written, beautifully produced record. Definitely bittersweet in retrospect but Amy Winehouse has a beautiful voice and the songs to back it up. Rehab was the big single but Back to Black is absolutely the show-stopper here. All great writing and music, every track.

“Back to Black” by Amy Winehouse (2006) Always wondered what all the fuss was about. Winehouse’s vocals are interesting enough, a kind of metallic contralto, with little pitch and dynamic range, but adequate control. In terms of composition, there are many familiar jazz, R&B, (early) rock, and even swing structures here, but nothing truly innovative. Some tracks bring to the ear immediate associations with earlier music, especially “You Know I’m No Good”, evocative of the retro swing Squirrel Nut Zippers’ Katherine Whalen on “It Ain’t You” and “Blue Angel” (on the album “Hot” [1996]). Not entirely derivative, but clearly from the same mold. Winehouse’s vocal performance is a distant second to Whalen’s, however. Lyrics aren’t bad—sassiness on display. Not exactly virtue-forming, and attempting to evoke little sympathy, but entertaining enough, if the listener is willing to suspend charitable feelings. A good album and artist, but not great. 3/5

This album feels so classy. Every song fits into an overarching style and theme, yet stand out individually so as to never feel the same as the one before or after. A really neat album that could be at home on vinyl or the crappy headphones provided with your handset (I'm so sorry Amy).

Ok straight up for me one of the best albums of its generation.. artistry at its best.. Ronson and Salam killed it in the production as well, knew exactly when to get out of the way of amy and when to support her vocals..

"We only said goodbye with words I died a hundred times" (Back to Black) "All I can ever be to you is a darkness that we knew And this regret I got accustomed to" (Tears dry on their own) Tenía muchas ganas de que me saliese este disco porque SABÍA que tenía que estar en la lista y me gusta un montón.

I try to go into these records objectively, with an open mind. Some times I just can’t. I know Amy Winehouse is a hero of sorts, but the music…it doesn’t feel authentic. It feels like an attempt to resell a sound from time that’s been forgotten. Modernize it, throw the word “fuckery” in there for good measure. Voila! Manufactured nostalgia for people who weren’t alive to experience the time they’re supposed to be nostalgic for. I don’t know…I can’t get past that. She’s talented, but it just feels manufactured to me.

She came on the scene with an explosive presence. She is indicative of Phil Spector's sound and Ronnie Spector's voice. There's definitely a bewitching quality to her vocals. This is especially present in "You Know I'm No Good." She's one of those artists that could sing the phone book and make it work. "What kind of fuckery is this?" is a question for the ages, and it sounds delightful coming from Winehouse. She sings from the heart as well. No song is a throw-away. Even the minor songs like Just Friends hit that mark of emotion she's going for. The beats are also so catchy on this album. Back to Black is practically iconic now. If Winehouse, Gaga, and Adele could have gotten together...Anyway, this album is a modern masterpiece.

Look, it's not like it's a bad album. Not even close. But the fake, nostalgic vintage sound (the fauxstalgia, if you will) wears thin really REALLY fast. The fact that, following her death, dozens of imitations have popped up like mushrooms in the shade of a fallen tree doesn't help. I'm sick of hearing vocalists chewing their vowels to try to sound like fauxstalgic caricatures of the iconic vocalists of yore. For all that, it's still a good album. I can't, in good conscience, give it less than three stars. But my sheer annoyance with the fake vintage schtick won't let me give it any more than three stars either.

Cela faisait des semaines que je marchais dans un désert d'immondices musicales. Mes jambes étaient lourdes et mes semelles enduites de Minutemen. Alors que des remontées gastriques ne cessaient de rappeler à ma salive l'épouvantable goût des New York Dolls, j'aperçus soudain une oasis : il s'agissait de Back To Black. Je m'y précipitai. Son courant eut à mon contact un effet immédiat ; mes tâches de Sepultura disparaissaient à mesure que je les frottais sous une cascade de Rehab tandis que mes plaies goldfrappiennes cicatrisaient bientôt dans un bain de You Know I'm No Good. J'appliquai enfin quelques gouttes de Love Is A Losing Game sur mon kyste elvis-costellien qui se vida instantanément de son contenu. Une étape inoubliable au cours de cette éprouvante traversée.

Great album, great voice. Terrible loss at such a young age. She even recognised her own problems in the track 'Rehab', but she obviously had too many demons. Well worth listening to.

So “Back To Black” by Amy Winehouse was one of those “captured lightning in a bottle” albums IMO… It is one of those efforts where everything just came together to fit together so perfectly, and the result was an absolutely exceptional album… The combination of Amy’s amazing song writing (i.e. Amy genuinely sharing her autobiographical anguish and vulnerabilities related to a challenging relationship and her mental illness and substance abuse issues…), a unique and perfect musical style as a backdrop for those songs, and her emotional vocal delivery, was one of those rare recipe’s that was likely never to be repeated… “Rehab” & “Back To Black” are clearly the best tracks IMO, but there is not a throwaway track on the album – although the last song “Addicted” is probably the weakest lyrically – though it is genuine… The raw emotion that comes through on this album, both the lyrically and via her vocal delivery, is definitely the highlight of the album… When this album came out, no one had recorded that style of 60’s “pop and soul” music in over 40 years, so it sounded incredibly fresh and unique in 2006 – which made it easy for the album to stand out, and then the lyrics, vocals, and the picture that was painted did the rest of the work… Also pretty eerie to have such an amazing album laying all of this out in advance of her untimely demise a few years later… For the uniqueness of the musical backdrop for these songs, along with the raw and genuine lyrics – combined with the perfect emotional vocal delivery, lead to a perfect “imperfect” album in my eyes – and one of the rare 5’s that I give out…

Love this album; it really is one in a million. Full of soul, full of energy, full of life.

Por ahí leí el otro día que este disco es el más vendido en vinil, digamos del 2010 para acá, desde el renacimiento del formato. Lo escucho ahora y suena a un clásico. Cuando salió resaltaba mucho del resto, un throwback, un ejercicio de nostalgia, no tan diferente si lo piensan, de The White Stripes o cosas por el estilo. Esto último no es ninguna crítica negativa. Pero la diferencia con otros ejercicios revivaleros de soul aquí el talento y la tragedia personal resltan. Pero me quedo con el talento y la voz, ¿gran voz, no? Parte de la educación sentimental de muchos, supongo. Fue parte de la mía. Back to black, la canción, is some heavy shit. Se siente real. Lloré mucho con esa rola, no por lo que trata, sino por la forma en que canta Back to black, verga. Me mata eso. Qué ganas de irse a la mierda dan a veces. ¿Solo yo? Amy me comprende.

Music for insufferable women

"What kind of fuckery is this?" Its.... Amy Winehouse. IMO- people made such a big deal out of her and her character for absolutely no fucking reason, and it's a pretty highly rated album on this website, so maybe I'm missing something, but I absolutely despise "Rehab," it feels very artificial and most of the rest of the tracks off the album feel as if they offered very little that was musically interesting to me. That being said, while I was actively wishing the album to end, the title track, "Back to Black" came on, and I found myself turning up the volume and eagerly awaiting the next hook. Good track, it will be on the playlist. Despite the star track, I can't justify a rating higher than.. 2/5

So many 5 star reviews and I just don't get it. Her voice is good. But there are a million people with great voices. The music fine and sounds old without all the cruft that comes with old music. Which I think is fine. But this is really not special in any way. It's a record made by producers for a singer with an alcohol problem.

The compositions and arrangements can be pretty nice, albeit it's all a rather arch act of graverobbing. 'You Know I'm No Good' and 'Back To Black' are fine songs, despite their ubiquity in the 2000s. However, Al Jolson himself would blush (one would guess) at those fucking vocals. What was going on?! 'Rehab' is a terrible piece of music.

I bought this album when it was released but hadn’t listened to it in full for a long time. It’s really held up - what a talent and what a loss.

There are songs on this album that absolutely make you understand why Amy winehouse is an icon such a limited career. It's impossible to listen to it without knowing how it all turns out

Not sure if I’ve ever sat down and appreciated this as an album. Can’t believe so many good tracks are on one record. A masterpiece, really. Imagine what she’d have done next.

Loved this album! I used to live in an apartment and my upstairs neighbour was a huge coke head. Whenever we went into a coke rage I would press my speakers up to the ceiling and blast “Rehab”. Nice to hear it again!

Anything I heard between ages 16-24 probably has an advantage over the others due to subconscious bias - this album included. With that caveat, I think this album is a stunner. It also is immortalized by her untimely death, and makes the songs that much more potent. And what a voice! Really love the instrumentation on the album too.

Songs I liked Rehab You know i'm no good Tears dry on their own He can only hold her

Just dynamite overall. What a talent. And such splendid "fuckery." How much one would have liked to see her career evolve, and if stability/sobriety might have had a salubrious effect. Janis Jopin is the obvious comp, though one might prefer AW. She sells every song convincingly, infusing every note with considerable soul and almost unbearable pathos in some places (because we know how it all ended). The opener is great, of course, as are "Me and Mr. Jones" and "Love Is a Losing Game." Hey editors: AW is not and never was a jazz singer and these aren't jazz songs (have at most a jazz aspect, and a pop-jazz one at that), though on some cuts her vocal style could accurately (if not precisely so) be described as jazzy. She's a soul / R&B / pop singer.

This album was on in the background everywhere I went in the late 2000s but I never realised how short it is (35 mins). It's pretty good but it's strange that the production and that Mark Ronson sound feels a bit dated when they were trying to make an old school sounding album. The 'Amy' documentary is one of the saddest things I've ever watched.

This is horrible - hate her voice and the shitty mock-60's production. I left the UK before her heyday, fortunately, so didn't quite know what to expect but got something even worse than her debut we were forced through a while ago. Mercifully brief, it appears the inspiration for this nonsense was the Artful Dodger from a borstal production of "Oliver!", which seems fitting.

I loved this. I've always liked Motown era/style tunes and this is very similar but with modern production (I can hear the individual drums!). I never paid this much mind when it was released (not metal 👿) but this is going into heavy rotation going forward.

Great voice, great lyrics, great tunes. 'Nuff said.

I am a big fan of 60s soul and girl groups, so this album really clicked with me as soon as I heard it. Bought it, loved it all the way through. It has a real throwback sound to it, that really appeals to me. Her songwriting is totally within the tradition, and yet has a contemporary directness that makes this far more than a pastiche or homage. It is new, fresh art within the genre. Much has been written about her voice. Her phrasing is exquisite, and there is a lived-in authenticity that you can't fake; you can feel the credibility to every word on this album. It can get pretty dark, and there is a lot of pain there, but the album is also quite fun. It is tragic that the authenticity of this album shows us a person in quite a lot of pain with some really problematic addiction issues, and we know where that eventually led Amy. I was massively upset by the Amy documentary; that poor girl was doomed. Her family was clearly problematic, and her talent attracted people who were supportive but unable to help, or others who were much more exploitative. And that arsehole husband was the nail in the coffin. She turned her life into art, but the success just made things worse, and ultimately was a road she could not turn back. I mourn for Amy Winehouse the human being, and also for all the records she could have produced if she had lived. This one perfect record from Amy Winehouse is a dead-set classic. All killer, no filler. It is a regular in my DJ sets. When friends start collecting vinyl, this is the album I buy for them. Every home should have a copy. Eleventy-million out of five.

Absolutely beautiful singing, intricit storytelling, and masterful themes throughout, it really feels like Amy put her whole soul into this project. Such a tragic story, love is a losing game.

Obožavam

3 - Back to Black (2006) - 9/10 Amy Winehouse Wednesday 1st December 1. Rehab - 9/10 ⭐️ 2. You Know I’m No Good - 9/10 ⭐️ 3. Me & Mr Jones - 8.5/10 4. Just Friends - 8.5/10 5. Back to Black - 9.5/10 ⭐️ 6. Love Is a Losing Game - 8.5/10 7. Tears Dry on their Own - 9.5/10 ⭐️ 8. Wake Up Alone - 8/10 9. Some Unholy War - 8/10 10. He Can Only Hold Her - 8/10 11. Addicted - 7.5/10

More like Amy Whine-house, right? Probably should have gone to rehab.

Such a beautiful voice. It's sad to see someone with this much potential to just go how she did. There are so many big hits on this album. I definitely agree that she walked so Adele could run.

Torch songs for the Tinder era.

Is it good? Who knows? It's sort of like discussing whether Homer's Odyssey is good. Feels a little overproduced, but buried underneath is a pure soul in torment. I've never been a huge fan of throwback music.

Never been a Fan of Nirvana. This unplugged record is OK, though.

The well-known songs - Rehab, Back to Black, a couple whose names I never learned - have kept their hooks in my memory, proof of Winehouse’s chops as this is of the aimless movement of movements that mark its era, artists that called back to greats with pantomime. In trying to sound both old and modern, the production has the chintzy artificiality of a badly retouched photo, Vanilla Ice pasted into the Yalta Conference. Back to the Future did it better. Amy Winehouse was smart and witty with a jet plane voice that can still ambush with lines that shiv. Early on she appeared on a kid’s show play-acting in a butchers: “I always wanted to work with meat!” I immediately liked her, though not the music. She was treated disgracefully in ways that were obvious at the time and this record heralds trauma with a vuvuzela.

The album vibe is not really for me; favourite track is probably the titular one

Never understood the hype. Edgy lyrics & nice voice, Just not for me RIP.

I can appreciate that this album was groundbreaking, in a way. And, that Amy Winehouse had a really great voice. I still didn't like this though. It just feels, narcissistic? Manufactured? I cant quite place it, but off, somehow.

An amazing talent! 5/5

Płyta niemalże idealna. Słuchałam jej już tyle razy, a nadal chętnie wracam. Ból w głosie, kompozycje, teksty. Jest w tym wszystkim coś szczerego i przenikającego. Och, Amy jaka szkoda, że już cię nie ma. 9.5/10

A true gem of music. Combines old influences yet manages to give them a fresh spin. Beautiful voice, powerful lyrics and great use of backup vocals (don't see this too often). This album truly has no weak links and has several masterpieces. I can't rate it any lower than 4.7

I know of Amy Winehouse, of course, but have never gotten around to listening to her, for some reason. I don't know what I was expecting but this definitely wasn't it. While every song is generally soul or R&B, they're all so incredibly different. She was incredible talented and versatile. "Rehab" is a sad song, considering how she supposedly died but well-written and well-sung, nonetheless. "Just Friends" has almost a reggae groove with the drums/horns/bass. "Back to Black" is a throwback to the 1960s girl groups that clearly influenced Winehouse. "Love Is a Losing Game" is beautiful. "Tears Dry On Their Own" allows her to show off the accuracy of her voice in a faster pace and just straight grooves the whole time. This song feels like it was ripped straight from the 60s, which makes sense considering the sample of "Ain't No Mountain High Enough". I will for sure be listening to this album and other Amy Winehouse more. This is incredible. R.I.P.

Great album. She shoulda gone to rehab.

Absolute class. I think she has one of the greatest voices of all time and is a genius of a songwriter. Perfect in every way. Possibly one of the best albums of all time.

Beautiful, soulful, nothing but bangers. Amy has such an incredible, one of a kind voice, and the production on each track is pristine. I sadly never listened to her music while she was alive, and here I am wishing she was still here today.

Classic. No notes.

Reminded me of Adele

Nothing but gold

Pretty good. Added a few songs to my rotation

Modern classic, tortured soul music

One of the best albums ever, just absolute perfection.

My first 5 from the 00s that wasn't one of my teenage albums. You know I'm no good and tears dry on their own stand out but this is top class throughout

Can't help myself. I love this album.

Lost this beautiful soul too soon, fantastic album

Il superiore

Beautiful front to back, with some sexy, fun, and often tragic songs, especially knowing what we know now. Amy was a true generational talent with the soul and pizazz of someone far older than her. One of the great albums of the 21st century.

One of the first albums I ever bought on vinyl. Every song is a hit and so filled with soul and thoughtful lyrics. Hard not to enjoy.

Super soulful pop album that sounds both very retro and modern. Love her voice and many many great tracks throughout. Favourite songs: Rehab, Back To Black, Love Is A Losing Game, He Can Only Hold Her

Love Amy, and this is her best. Poppy yet powerful soul with modern bases and an astonishing voice. Songs are great and part of my youth (although I didn't give a shit then). Amazing artist that always sets me a bit sad when thinking about her story and tragic ending.

classic. my childhood. i think of spring break in florida and trips to the grand canyon

Possibly one of the most compelling artists of all time

Overdone? Sure, maybe. Incredible? Absolutely. Best song: Back to Black

Incredible album in every facet. Great songwriting, great arrangement, great structure. Never has there been a better album for people in situationships. Unrequited love has never felt so timelessly put into song. The vocals are obviously iconic. The instrumentation and production are everything they needed to be and more. The decision to use doo-wop style rhythms for songs about people in fucked up relationships is just a joy. The contrast between the beats and lyrics makes this album unforgettable. Love it from start to finish. So many bangers. Can’t get enough. 5/5

Honestly I enjoyed this more than expected. The blend of soul, r&b and pop with nods to 60s girl groups creates an intriguing and dynamic sound. I’ve added Back to Black and Me & Mr. Jones to my main playlist because they immediately caught my attention and are 10/10 for dramatically dancing around the house with or without a glass of wine. +1 for the line “what kind of fuckery is this” which caught me by surprise but instantly reached me on a spiritual level.

i love her voice so goddamn much. beautiful album <3

Great vocals, lyrics on point—it really was a great album. 9.5 out of 10.

One of the greats albums of all time

Solid album; not a bad song in the bunch. Enjoy Amy’s tone and phrasing. The Dap-Kings as back up band really made this album.

As a callow youth I though Back to Black, and in particular, Rehab, was callow. With the benefit of hindsight one can see what an absolute belter of this album is. One of the finest singers of her (my) generation mixing a classic genre with the experiences of mid-2000s UK.

Well, this one is my one and only in the Amy's work. It's the only album by this undoubtedly talented person that I can listen to from beginning to end.

This album is a masterpiece. It's so short, but every second of each track is meticulously crafted to describe the emotional rollercoaster of losing love, while also threading in a consistent undertone of addiction (to both the person, and alcohol). Each song is completely distinct and stands on it's own merits, but the track list is very cohesive in its overall sound. There will never be another album quite like this album, and it's a goddamn tragedy Amy didn't have the opportunity to continue to grow her talent. 5/5

Great voice, great band, great material.

The vocals are incredible, and the production is awesome.

Some of the best post 2000 music. Back to Black is moving, raw and dark. Brining to life the struggles of a musician, whilst staying creatively dense. The soundpatterns of the record are some of the best of its time and the overal jazz feel of the record has been brought to life so well, Amy manages to pair sound with her lyrics and tone so well. Overall a very impressive piece of art. Favorite track: Tears dry on their own. Overall score: 9.0/10

Unreal production on this record. Her voice and lyrics are so great. Sad she's gone.

23/02/25 I never really appreciated Amy when she was alive, it wasn't until she died that I appreciated her music.

Amazing album - such a talent

Every song on this album is a hit. There are zero throwaways. Such a talent, vocally, lyrically, musically. Just a wonder.

Perfect album from cover to cover

Such a strong album all the way through - great lyrics, powerful voice, unique sound. Love it.

Great music. Legendary singer. Tragically missed.

She was that good

A great album. A big loss!

How have I never listened through this? Amazing

Excellent

Goat

Top notch. Weird how just knew most of these songs by osmosis, despite never actually listening to the album. Simpsons: No

I’m sure a lot of jazz purists take issue with Winehouse but is there anything more authentically jazz than battling with substance abuse throughout your life? Love love love this album

Great neo-soul. Really strong songs throughout the album. Great production, too.

Fantastic. 4.5.

Neo Soul at its finest. Iconic. Personal enjoyment: 5/5 Relevance to this list: 5/5

Obviously five stars

Stone cold classic

Six absolute bangers on this. A special talent.

Brilliant record.