I became aware of Adele through a really good friend of mine. She played Chasing Pavements (the live version), and I fell in love with Adele, but not deep in love. That song alone gets a 5/5 alone in my book though. Up until recently Adele has been a no-thought. When I heard about her actual success, I had to get a look at the lady. So, I googled Adele saw that she was a cute, pudgy little white girl! At first sight I would have never thought of her having such a voice. That goes to show, never judge a book by its cover…or a person by their face…whatever. That’s beside the point though. I heard she was putting out a new album entitled 21 (songs that represent her mind set and experiences at the age of 21). If only every adolescent roaming around aimlessly could take a look into them selves humbly and see the truth, and express what they see honestly. Anyway I listened to the album and I liked it; but you know I had problems with it. When do I not have something to say? Would I be Bello if I didn't have a comment or two, or three, or four? Anyway, with out further adieu, let’s get to the commentary.
Adele brings in the album strong and maintains exceptional consistency throughout. Rollin in the Deep has a motivational flow to it; strictly for the soul searching lovers. I literally started clapping my hands when the chorus came on. My mother even came in the office and started dancing to the music (the visual is very embarrassing). Besides my mother’s busted tired dance moves, Rolling in the Deep is the best you’re going to get on this album when it comes to energy. Rumor Has It has a dramatic and funky introduction, and immediately draws you in. I began to fist pump in support of her funky, bitter attitude until the chorus came on. How many times can you say the word “rumors” in 15 seconds? “Rumor Has It” could have been much better with a better chorus. Moving along to Turning Tables, this song definitely lives up to it’s name. I think the effect of this song is effect John Legend was looking for when he made Ordinary People. Unfortunately Ordinary People was exactly that. Ordinary. She expresses her ideas with taste though. Who wouldn’t be fed up with the constant ups and downs that relationships consist of? If you were to ask me it’s a song about strength and maturity, being mature enough to let go of some one so you don’t end up destroying your self.
Don’t You Remember contributes another four minutes and three seconds of sadness to go along with tears you would already have shed with the previous song. How do you go from wanting to letting some one go on the previous song, then turn around and cry when they actually leave? At least she admits it when she says “I know I have a fickle heart, and a bitterness/ and a wandering eye, and heaviness, in my head”. The psyche of a woman we will never understand. Don’t bother to try understanding fellas. Set Fire to The Rain is the album’s brief lagging point, and when you think about it...really? set fire to the rain? That's when you know you're trying too hard. The album would have been better off with out it if you ask me. You come back to the good music with He Won’t Go. The beginning of the song lives up to the phrase “less is more” with subtle percussion moving into a smooth bass. You get another dose of Adele’s incisiveness accompanied by a choir on Take it All. She brings it back with “I’ll be Waiting” though. One and Only shows more of Adele’s ever growing maturity. Even though you’re getting more and more piano, it has a church vibe to it, real soulful. The album pretty much has a steady pace with Love Song and Someone like You until you reach If it Hadn’t Been For Love. If it Hadn’t been for Love could have been a stellar ending to 21. The recipe for this song is nothing but the concept, an acoustic guitar, and Adele singing her heart out. This song is about the crazy things we do for love. I guess in the end we’re all looking for love in one way or another, and I would have loved if she would have stopped the album here. But, no! she had to end it with Hiding My Heart. Don’t get me wrong it’s a good song. But this could have replaced Set Fire to the Rain and made the album as a whole that much better.
Even though the album sings about nothing but heartache, pain and loneliness, I enjoyed it. It's a different perspective of the trials we encounter in relationships. Though they are mature perspectives, they are perspectives through the eyes of a 21-year-old. I can’t say I don’t look forward to her next album. Hopefully the title of her next album won’t chronologically correspond with the titles of her previous albums; that would be redundant and completely contradict the mature image she’s portraying. The album could have used some minor tweaking and a couple omissions, but she gets an A for effort and a mid-to-low B for presentation. Time to go listen to 19! No review for that one though, this is strictly for my listening pleasure. I know I’m late, I know.
1.) Rolling in the Deep – 4.3/5
2.) Rumor Has It – 4.0/5
3.) Turning Tables – 4.6/5
4.) Don’t You Remember – 3.43/5
5.) Set Fire to The Rain – 3.5/5
6.) He Won’t Go – 4.0/5
7.) Take It All – 3.85/5
8.) I’ll Be Waiting – 3.8/5
9.) One and Only – 4.0/5
10.) Love Song – 3.8/5
11.) Someone Like You – 3.7/5
12.) If It Hadn’t Been For Love – 4.4/5
13.) Hiding My Heart – 3.75/5
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