1001 Albums Summary

Any album with a strong female singer is automatically a good one, and Winehouse's hauntingly soulful voice is on full display here, baring her soul with a fearless honesty and vulnerability. Memorable horn riffs and catchy, upbeat melodies bely the dark subject matter that the lyrics so powerfully express, dripping as they are with pain and anguish. A must listen for anyone who appreciates powerful, authentic music.

An overreliance on studio effects and production techniques drowns out the actual music and vocals, making the sound muddied and unclear. The slower, more experimental tracks drag on too long and make the album feel tedious, which ultimately detracts from the overall impact of the lyrical content.