For her second album, sultry chanteuse Amy Winehouse makes no secret of what her influences and inspirations are. She is also every bit as direct as she was on debut album Frank, but has opted to throw in heavier measures of her core influences and mess around with a genre or two this time around! As far as attitude goes (and Amy has it by the truckload!), she reminds me of American singer Pink. They are both versatile and speak their mind, although Pink does seem more tuned into a commercial streak than Amy is. That’s not to say that Amy Winehouse lacks mainstream appeal, but her music isn’t quite as chart-orientated.

Back To Black, however, may just change that! While it won’t quite get the party started that quickly, the myriad musical references that Amy has woven into her new collection of songs will surely find favour with a significant number of pop audiences, particularly those eager to seek out something more creatively challenging than just another remix/remake of some 70s or 80s hit! This album’s retro element actually dates further back than two or three decades; it’s a swing “thing” that Winehouse immerses herself in deeply; a vintage “cabaret” flavour that gives Back To Black’s half hour or so of music its fundamental direction and particular contemporary appeal! This is a delightfully left of centre pop album from one of Britain’s most unconventional pop stars!

Rating: 3.5

CD COURTESY OF EXOTIQUE