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19
by Adele

Adele reviews
Critic Score
Metascore: 68 Metascore out of 100
User Score  
6.7 out of 10
based on 19 reviews
Read critic reviews
How did we calculate this?
based on 35 votes
Read user comments
Rate this album

The English singer was named the Brit Awards' Critics' Choice even before her debut album was released.

LABEL: XL
RELEASE DATE: 10 June 2008
DISCS: 1 disc
GENRE(S): Rock, Pop

NOTES: Original UK release 28 Jan 2008.


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...

100
Observer Music Monthly
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.
Read Full Review
80
PopMatters
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.
Read Full Review
80
All Music Guide
A beyond stellar debut in both quality and originality.
Read Full Review
80
NOW Magazine
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.
Read Full Review
80
Mojo
She has the voacl talent of a young Alison Moyet, and thankfully this debut lives up to expectations. [Mar 2008, p.112]
80
Q Magazine
Adele's songs possess an ageless classification. [Mar 2008, p.105]
75
Entertainment Weekly
Adele's songs aren't as sharp as Duffy's. Still her singing throughout is a thing to behold. [13 June 2008, p.70]
70
Dot Music
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.'
Read Full Review
70
musicOMH.com
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.
Read Full Review
60
Drowned In Sound
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.
Read Full Review
60
Slant Magazine
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.
Read Full Review
60
Rolling Stone
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.
Read Full Review
60
Urb
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]
50
Spin
She represents a highly commercial compromise between Amy Winehouse's genuine soul danger and James Blunt's sclocky pop safety. [July 2008, p.92]
Read Full Review
50
Under The Radar
Despite Adele's striking vocals--the girl can sing--19 isn't mining any new territory. [Summer 2008]
50
New Musical Express
Adele is not yet ready to produce an album of sufficient depth to match her voice.
Read Full Review
40
The Guardian
There is scant emotional heft behind Adele's prodigiously rich voice, little bite to her songwriting.
Read Full Review
40
Uncut
Veering between faux-soul and Hoxton hipness, Adele simply hasn't found her own voice yet.
Read Full Review
30
Sputnikmusic
It can't even stack up to Gabriella Cilmi. Estelle? Leona Lewis? Yikes. Avoid.
Read Full Review

What Our Users Said

Vote Now! The average user rating for this album is 6.7 (out of 10) based on 35 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.

Harry W. gave it a5:
Coffee table music I'm afraid. If you like Norah Jones (and I do, kind of) you should enjoy this but it's not going to make you rip up your life and start over. Adele has a nice enough voice but lacking in the colour that willcome with age. Whether she will still be in the public eye when she gains that is dubious (Dido anyone?)

Josh R. gave it a10:
Amazing!! Adele has an amazing voice for the age of 19! expect more great things from her in the future!!

Ken H. gave it a5:
Music for teenage girls. Anyone else will likely roll eyes at the lyrics. The music is plodding and uninteresting. She has a nice voice but its going to be years before she develops into an artist and will she even still be making CD's in 5 years?

Mitchell Z. gave it a5:
Good voice, ok arrangements, but overall... snore!

Richard J. gave it a5:
Boring, Dull and not imaginative in anyway, This is like Kate Nash doing Jazz, quirky but doesn't merit a good album, I have heard Adele on the music scene for over two years and her music and her voice just doesn't interest me and this is no masterpiece, she is still 19 so she will get better...personally listen to Billie Holiday it is more interesting tonally and writing wise.

Daniel W. gave it a9:
Wonderful tunes and a voice that keeps growing on u!

Pete gave it a9:
Super album, Adele can write songs!

Read more user comments...

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