The Adele verdict.

Album: 21
Artist: Adele
Label: XL, Columbia
Release date: 19 January, 2011
Peak chart position/sales: (UK) #1, 14x Platinum (AUS) #1, 10x Platinum (CAN) #1, Diamond (GER) #1, 5x Platinum (NZ) #1, 8x Platinum (SWI) #1, 2x Platinum (US) #1, 5x Platinum


RATING: 3/5 stars

Behind every woman belting out the latest #1 hit is a man who made her really, really mad. We'd heard Lady Gaga's rant about love spurned, but it was the explosive rage, hurt and regret caused by Adele's teenage relationship breakdown that sent the world into a state of vicarious catharsis. When I was first told to listen to Adele, I wondered whether I'd be able to find her by first name alone. Now it's doubtful whether many people know she has a surname at all (for the record, it's Adkins. Adele Laurie Blue Adkins). So try as I might (and I did), there was no ignoring the global phenomenon that is 21; every track is a radio hit, a karaoke favourite, a staple cover...so it seemed a necessary part of my cultural education to form an opinion of it.

I'm not sure what I was expecting when I pressed play, but let's just say that most of my preconceptions disintegrated in the face of such emotional ferocity. Subtlety would be the antithesis of Adele's style. Beginning with an ominous beat, 21 is bookended by two enormous ballads ("Rolling In The Deep" and "Someone Like You") that gain thundering momentum and build into a towering outburst of regret to which it is best to cling on for dear life and hope you survive the ride. None of the ensuing tracks ever reach quite as high as these two, but they all showcase the same unbridled emotion, the same "How did I ever let you screw me over?" theme and the same blatantly honest lyrics, ripped, it seems, from the pages of a thousand diaries. Pre-menstrual women: avoid this album at all costs.

Musically, however, 21 is extraordinarily understated, especially by today's pop production standards. The instrumentation deviates from piano, guitar bass and drums only to add a hint of harp, a blast of horns, a flurry of strings. And yet each song is built upon the promise of gale-force momentum and unbridled angst, because it is, of course, Adele's voice that makes the album. A full, throaty warble that catches in the throat before it escapes with heartbreaking rawness and breathtaking volume, it is the focal point of every track and an unforgettable trademark of her style. The closest thing to delicate that 21 offers, "Take It All", stands out as one of the most underrated tracks, following the punchy, bass-driven "He Won't Go". "I'll Be Waiting" is the horn-filled, upbeat surprise package which gives us the pick-me-up that is so desperately needed by the halfway mark and the lovely retro-tinged "One And Only" is another moment of respite among the anger - a beautiful slow-dance track with a trademark dash of gutsy cheek.

By the time the album ended, I wanted to a) cry unstoppably b) scream into my pillow and c) sock Adele's ex in the jaw for ever having upset her, and effectively me, so tremendously. This is an album that should never, never - let me repeat - NEVER be listened to in one go. Learn from my mistake and don't think you can handle 48:12 of pure Adele in one sitting: there's a reason I had to take a two week break before writing this review. But I leave this listening experience with a significantly increased respect for the world's new favourite songstress. The simple, intuitive musicality in the songs is impressive in its authenticity; the raw honesty of Adele as a songwriter and performer is nothing short of admirable; and I'm freaking thrilled that the general public rocketed an autotune-less album up the charts. I can not yet be convinced of Adele's versatility as a musician - at the moment it seems that unless she makes a habit of being dumped she's going to run out of #1 ballads - but for now, it's official: Hell hath no fury like Ms. Adkins spurned.

Is it worth my $$$? - The overwhelming flaw of 21 is its sheer lack of emotional balance. With the exception of "I'll Be Waiting" and "One and Only", every single song is an ode to Adele's significantly damaged heart, using the same unbearably intense vocals and piano backing formula. Consistent to a fault - but if you like her style/need some DIY anger management, then that can only be a good buy.


Listen to: Rolling In The Deep, Take It All, One And Only