19 - Adele
  • Band Name: Adele
  • Record Label: XL
  • Release Date: Jun 10, 2008
Metascore
68 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 19 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 9 out of 19
  2. Negative: 1 out of 19
  1. Forget her peers or even ex-Eurythmics - think Dusty or Aretha, albeit of SW2, instead. 19 has been on constant repeat for several weeks now and will be, I suspect, for the rest of the year to come.
  2. 80
    She has the voacl talent of a young Alison Moyet, and thankfully this debut lives up to expectations. [Mar 2008, p.112]
  3. A beyond stellar debut in both quality and originality.
  4. Adele's songs possess an ageless classification. [Mar 2008, p.105]
  5. She's often at her best alone with an acoustic guitar instead of ornamented with retro R&B references. It's easy to want to dislike something that the UK press, Perez Hilton and Kanye West are telling you to like, but Adele shows some real talent.
  6. 19 indeed boasts several distinct sounds by which Adele is given to do her thing. These are utilized quite harmoniously to fit her powerhouse vocal delivery, a stirring combination of her diverse influences ranging from the Cure's Robert Smith to Philly soul queen Jill Scott to legendary rhythm 'n' folk chanteuse Karen Dalton.
  7. Adele's songs aren't as sharp as Duffy's. Still her singing throughout is a thing to behold. [13 June 2008, p.70]
  8. As is to be expected given Adele's tender years, thematically things are a bit monochrome.... All this, however, is forgiven with a listen to the highlights, such as the sweet acoustic guitar-led 'Daydreamer.'
  9. It may not be particuarly original or challenging, but there's enough positive signs here to bode extremely well for the future. The sound of 2008? And beyond, we'd imagine.
  10. The co-writes--not as many as you might've expected--generally boom from the speakers. The self-penned efforts are bare-boned, erratically excellent but frustratingly blighted by Adele's penchant for going beyond her capabilities as a vocalist.
  11. 60
    Sure, she may not have as many debauchery-tainted demons to exercise as the Winehouses or the Holidays but that doesn't make 19 boring. [Jul/Aug 2008, p.88]
  12. Her debut, which topped the British charts earlier this year, lacks the bad-girl brio of those grads [Amy Winehouse and Kate Nash], but it shows off a vocal instrument that smokes the competition.
  13. Critics have favorably compared Adele to Amy Winehouse, but most of 19 plays like the quieter moments on Kate Nash's "Made of Bricks;" the production is largely simple and organic, wisely showcasing Adele's voice, which is appropriately soulful and imperfect.
  14. Adele is not yet ready to produce an album of sufficient depth to match her voice.
  15. Despite Adele's striking vocals--the girl can sing--19 isn't mining any new territory. [Summer 2008]
  16. 50
    She represents a highly commercial compromise between Amy Winehouse's genuine soul danger and James Blunt's sclocky pop safety. [July 2008, p.92]
  17. 40
    Veering between faux-soul and Hoxton hipness, Adele simply hasn't found her own voice yet.
  18. There is scant emotional heft behind Adele's prodigiously rich voice, little bite to her songwriting.
  19. It can't even stack up to Gabriella Cilmi. Estelle? Leona Lewis? Yikes. Avoid.
User Score

Generally favorable reviews- based on 88 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 23 out of 32
  2. Negative: 2 out of 32
  1. JoshR.
    10
    Amazing!! Adele has an amazing voice for the age of 19! expect more great things from her in the future!!
  2. JohnZ.
    8
    Almost masterpiece
  3. In my humble opinion, one of the most addicting albums I've ever heard. I wont bore you with mundane details, but its just flat out easy listening at its finest. It's bursting with personality. My only minor complaint is that track 7 "First Love" is underwhelming and feels a little out of place, but its still a solid song. Give this album a listen! Full Review »