There is an article on CNN titled "Adele debuts 'To Be Loved' and we are devastated."
We are?
Are you?
I'm okay, really.
I want to get on the Adele bandwagon, or at the very least, enjoy some of the music. She is definitely miles above the Taylors and Mileys and Meghan Thees, as a friend put it. Her records are made with real instruments and real songs. And while I don't love the tone of her singing voice, I recognize that it is still a wonderful voice, with power and emotion, and rarely ever drifts into the offkey caterwauling of Mary J. Blige.
But like many of you who reject reggae because it "all sounds the same," or reject heavy metal or punk because the songs aren't as easily identifiable beneath the volume of the guitars and hair, my body seems to be rejecting the literal playing out of one's life put to song, or as a friend put it "diary entries and angry break-up letters that pass for songwriting."
The new record "Adele-30" is about her divorce, so go "easy on her." Will the first single of off "Adele-45" be called "My Doctor Says I Need To Eat More Roughage." How about "Adele-55" and the video for "Begin The Benign?"
I find it all very offputting.
That said, this debut that has devastated us all can be found on Instagram over here.
I watched it.
I'm devastated. Really.
Take a few minutes. It's something to behold.
I am not about to purchase the entire Adele catalogue. But to see this singer, in this format and venue, deliver something as monumental and emotional as this has at least...finally....made me realize, she is the real thing, even if she will rarely find herself in heavy rotation in my house, fighting for time with Aretha or Irma.
Still, "To Be Loved" knocked the wind right the fuck out of me.
9 comments:
Sorry, but sounds to me like tuneless caterwauling, a screeching assault on the ears. Perhaps some singing lessons would help.
Here is what I posted on a blog for The Band:
"My wife and I were watching the Adele special last night and about half way through we turned off the sound. We then asked Alexa to play:
The Band: Right as Rain and Out of the Blue
Arthur Alexander: Anna
The Beatles: Anna
Van Morrison: Tupelo Honey and Someone Like You
Laura Nyro: Goodbye Joe, Save the Country and And When I Die
Allen Toussaint : When the Party’s Over
Leslie Gore: The Look of Love (a great song that few remember)
We went to bed with smiles on our faces.'
I got mostly positive feedback, but a few suggested their was room for all in the musical tent. Maybe so. One guy accused me of liking Clapton. (Not sure how he got there, but oh well, not important enough to get made over.)
Finally, in response to a negative comment I posted:
"No disrespect intended for Adele. For us, it was just not musically interesting. I always say, music is personal and I was expressing my personal opinion."
I follow a couple of musical blogs (including this one) to get a sense what folks value in music. Sometimes I agree and sometimes I do not. But what I enjoy the most is the hunt. When I get a whiff of something I might be interested in, I head off to discogs or youtube to hear more. All good and fun.
I watched some of it, still not impressed. Although she turned into a lighter looking pretty babe though.
I've listened, but her music still doesn't move me. I get there is talent there, but it's just not for me.
In the last few years, I have heard Rollin in the Deep waaaaaaaaayyyy too many times. Even our local alternative/modern/finest rock station plays that damn song. I told one of the DJs that every time they *think* about playing that song, they should substitute with Bob Mould instead. He gave me a nasty/harsh response. I thought I was being funny, but I guess you don't mess with Adele.
"Will the first single of off "Adele-45" be called "My Doctor Says I Need To Eat More Roughage.""
LMAO!
You think you're devastated??? You should have seen me after I heard it. ;) It's more than her shouting her life, I felt like it was a gift she was sharing, something universally felt. She's become both a more refined singer (yes, listen to the rest of the album you hear it), but she also gets a little ugly, she let's the pretty go, which is not something easy to do for female singers in particular. You mentioned Mary J, Sal and one of the things people hear in Mary is a realness, but you're right she does go off key. Adele is a musician, she doesn't (even if some don't like the sound itself). There is real artistry here, she takes a lot of chances on 30 (it's not typical Adele), whether one likes them or not and I'm as excited as she has said she is about where her musical muse will take her. BTW the song that closes 30 "Love is a Game" is absolutely a love note to the one and only Amy Winehouse. Cheers.
I saw Adele in Stockholm on her last tour. It was her first arena show. It was just her and the back up band. I was sitting about halfway back and she looked about 4” high. Her songs and personality completely captivated the 30,000 in the audience. Later in the show she either grew six feet or the arena shrunk to a small hall. She is the real deal.
I haven’t listened to 30 probably because I still smart from my divorce from about as many years ago as the album title. But believe me when I say that Adele’s talent is not just her voice but her ability to lay her self open in her art. In these times of over processed, three producer pop princesses, Adele writes her own stuff. To open herself that way is not just brave but singular.
Sure, “55” might be about Metamucil, but it will be an honest recount and artistically viable. Which is more than we can about many of our present day veteran artists.
I'm still surprised that you're not on of the same opinion on Taylor that I am. To me, she is so clearly head and shoulders over her peers that she has no peers on the current scene. But alas, agree to disagree.
I'm an Adele fan as well. It's not QUITE my thing, but I recognize her genuine talent. She has yet to knock me out with a song, but she's always welcome on my radio.
@Chris Collins
To be fair, I haven't listened to much Taylor. The post says, "miles above the Taylors...as a friend put it." I was quoting him. I don't have an opinion other than the few times I've listened, including the song you suggested a few months back, left me cold. Wanna give me a Top Ten? I'm willing to give it a go.
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