I bought the new Adele album Friday and, having now spent the weekend with it, offer some thoughts. I decided to tweet them out in what is an incremental music review. It’s a bit of an experiment — I’m curious to see what readers think, both about the use of individual tweets and the compilation of them at the end.
My basic take on “25” is that it is a nice pop record with some excellent songs, but lacks what makes her first two records so good. Let me know what you think.
#twitterreview #adele25 1. Adele, as my friend Bill sd, can sing the phone book & make it listenable.— Hank Kalet (@newspoet41) November 23, 2015
#twitterreview #adele25 2. That hasn’t changed on “25,” even after throat issues & a baby.— Hank Kalet (@newspoet41) November 23, 2015
#twitterreview #adele25 3. The voice remains 1 of most distinctive instruments in pop.— Hank Kalet (@newspoet41) November 23, 2015
#twitterreview #adele25 4. & 25 is solid pop work (see “Send My Love”). But it’s not as good as “19” or “21,” her 1st 2 records.— Hank Kalet (@newspoet41) November 23, 2015
#twitterreview #adele25 5. There’s a sameness 2 many songs — in tempo, theme & arrangement.— Hank Kalet (@newspoet41) November 23, 2015
#twitterreview #adele25 6. That makes it feel more formulaic than albums 1 & 2— Hank Kalet (@newspoet41) November 23, 2015
#twitterreview #adele25 7. & too much of it is vocal pyrotechnics — big singing atop big production.— Hank Kalet (@newspoet41) November 23, 2015
#twitterreview #adele25 8. That’s what the pop audience wants & expects.— Hank Kalet (@newspoet41) November 23, 2015
#twitterreview #adele25 9. It’s what made Whitney Houston & Mariah Carey stars.— Hank Kalet (@newspoet41) November 23, 2015
#twitterreview #adele25 10. Adele has vocal chops 2 compete in this kind of pop climate.— Hank Kalet (@newspoet41) November 23, 2015
#twitterreview #adele25 11. But what has made her unique is the restraint, the moments she turns soft,— Hank Kalet (@newspoet41) November 23, 2015
#twitterreview #adele25 12. when the arrangements grow sparse, or the tempo shifts.— Hank Kalet (@newspoet41) November 23, 2015
#twitterreview #adele25 13. & those r the moments on “25” that work best.— Hank Kalet (@newspoet41) November 23, 2015
#twitterreview #adele25 14. Like on “A Million Years Ago,” w/its '60s vibe
— Hank Kalet (@newspoet41) November 23, 2015
#twitterreview #adele25 15. Or the rock feel of “Sweetest Devotion”
— Hank Kalet (@newspoet41) November 23, 2015
#twitterreview #adele25 16. & easy piano pop of “All I Ask”
— Hank Kalet (@newspoet41) November 23, 2015
#twitterreview #adele25 17. It's during these moments — which close “25” —
— Hank Kalet (@newspoet41) November 23, 2015
#twitterreview #adele25 18. Too much of “25” has been layered with big sound, which works on the single “Hello” & “I Miss You”
— Hank Kalet (@newspoet41) November 23, 2015
#twitterreview #adele25 19. But leaves much of the record feeling cold and distant.
— Hank Kalet (@newspoet41) November 23, 2015
#twitterreview #adele25 20. The production – & song choice – lead to a notable absence of soul.
— Hank Kalet (@newspoet41) November 23, 2015
#twitterreview #adele25 21. Adele was never Al Green or Aretha, but there r moments on “19” & '“21”' that swing.
— Hank Kalet (@newspoet41) November 23, 2015
#twitterreview #adele25 22. This isn't just about tempo. A song like “Take it All” on “21” catches a groove
— Hank Kalet (@newspoet41) November 23, 2015
#twitterreview #adele25 23. As do “Crazy for You” & “Melt My Heart to Stone” on “19”
— Hank Kalet (@newspoet41) November 23, 2015
#twitterreview #adele25 24. that recalls, if not Stax, then some of the best melancholy blues of the '60s.
— Hank Kalet (@newspoet41) November 23, 2015
#twitterreview #adele25 25. In the end, her delivery is different. Gone is the jazz phrasing; in its place is an unmoored & often icy voice.
— Hank Kalet (@newspoet41) November 23, 2015
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