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Zero 7
Stars indicate the most critically-acclaimed albums.
Back To Black
Universal acclaim
Based on 26 critic reviews
How did we calculate this?
Based on 110 votes
Read user comments
Rate this album >
Album Info
Label: Republic
Release Date: 13 March 2007
Discs: 1 disc
Genre(s): Pop, R&B, Soul
Summary
Mark Ronson and Salaam Remi produced the British soul singer's second album, which was released to great acclaim in the UK in 2006.
Also By This Artist: Frank
Also On The Web: Official Artist Site
What The Critics Said
All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...
Entertainment Weekly
It's precisely Winehouse's lyrics... that raise this expertly crafted set into the realm of true, of-the-minute originality. [16 Mar 2007, p.67]
The Onion (A.V. Club)
There's something beguilingly perverse about the incongruity between Winehouse's trifling lyrical concerns and Back To Black's wall-of-sound richness.
Read Full Review >Mojo
Winehouse remains one of modern music's most original voices and is now emerging as arguably the finest soul singer of her generation. [Nov 2006, p.116]
Prefix Magazine
Back to Black stands in testament to the fact that talent and originality still exist.
Read Full Review >Billboard
A guileless, brutal breakup album that can sit with the best of them, set to the sounds of music's finest early rock moments. [17 Mar 2007]
Read Full Review >Dot Music
There isn't a second's worth of music here that doesn't come mink-swathed in note-perfect retro sound, or a song that isn't worthy of it.
Read Full Review >cokemachineglow
Her efforts have crafted a soul album that is resistant to any claims of mere charlatanism, a record that brings a modern tongue to a classic style.
Read Full Review >Sputnikmusic
Back To Black is by far the best popular soul album I’ve heard this year.
Read Full Review >Urb
Back to Black is overflowing with the '60s Supremes warmth that has been fully absent from the "standards" of today's R&B. [Apr 2007, p.108]
NOW Magazine
Back To Black is just a darkly rockin' good time, which will hopefully spark a new trend away from R&B's sickening slickification.
Read Full Review >Observer Music Monthly
It works - even though this area of pop culture has been mined remorselessly for the past 50 years - by dint of its clever melody lines and smart lyrics.
Read Full Review >All Music Guide
Although Back to Black does see her deserting jazz and wholly embracing contemporary R&B, all the best parts of her musical character emerge intact, and actually, are all the better for the transformation from jazz vocalist to soul siren.
Read Full Review >Uncut
While never musically abrasive, [it] is riddled with enough trademark lyrical barbs and sung with sufficient Eartha Kitt-ish snarl that the listening is never too easy. [Nov 2006, p.134]
Hartford Courant
Even if her vulgarity is her main selling point, she's more than just a novelty act.
Read Full Review >PopMatters
Back to Black finds a fearless artist saying whatever she damn well pleases.
Read Full Review >Q Magazine
She's just as full of herself, but she now has a voice brimming with womanly promise. [Nov 2006, p.149]
Blender
[It] sounds fantastic--partly because the production nails sample-ready '60s soul right down to the drum sound' and partly because Winehouse is one hell of an impressive singer. [Apr 2007, p.121]
Pitchfork
Fortunately, Winehouse has been blessed by a brassy voice that can transform even mundane sentiments into powerful statements.
Read Full Review >Rolling Stone
The tunes don't always hold up. But the best ones are impossible to dislike. [22 Feb 2007, p.76]
New Musical Express
Disappointing, then, that the eight-track ‘bonus disc’ opens with a cover of a cover: a lo-fi version of ‘Valerie’. [Review of Deluxe Edition]
Read Full Review >What Our Users Said
The average user rating for this album is 8.0 (out of 10) based on 110 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.
ipse d. gave it an8:
If you liked Jazz before the Coltranes and Dolphys, and if you are into Blues and 70s R&B this is album will be a favourite. If you aren't a fan of this, you probably aren't a fan of most American genres.
Nuno EU gave it a10:
An amazing album, a masterpiece! One of the best albuns of the century... "Love Is a Losing Game" and "Tears Dry On Their Own" are 5 stars *****!
ab gave it a7:
Her voice is beautiful, as are some of the songs ("Wake Up Alone" was on repeat for awhile), but some of the material was weak (the sample for "Tears Dry On Their Own" was obvious and made the song seem pale and kitschy in comparison to the original). Hopefully her next album will be filled with stronger, more original material.
Shazzy K. gave it a10:
The users ratings here are just testament to the fact that where music is concerned you gotta make your own decision. Loved NOT just the voice but songs as well.
Pedro P. gave it a10:
Best artist of the century, she has the most beautiful voice ever, and she ain't another pretty face like someone (Mariah Carey, Rihanna, Beyonce...) she's is god! enough said!
Pedro gave it a10:
This girl is a genius.
Yonko D. gave it a10:
Masterpiece!
