Adele - 21

Reviewed by Vickie Van Dyke
In a recent interview, Adele asserted that she hates when artists say "I was born to perform."  Her response?  "F... off!  No one was born to perform!"  Perhaps so, but this girl was definitely born to sing.  At the ripe old age of 21, her second CD ("19" was the first and yes, she was 19 when it was recorded) showcases a voice that is nuanced, emotive, powerful and mature beyond its years.  Case in point: Rolling In The Deep, the lead-off single and currently the most popular song on the planet.  If you didn't know, you'd swear the writer of those words was a battle-stained veteran, not a young woman barely out of her teens.  Same with Someone Like You (which is vaguely reminiscent lyrically of Alanis Morissette's You Oughta Know, only with less anger and even more pain.)  Indeed, Adele is knee-deep in pain on "21" which chronicles the demise of  young love.  But there's no bubblegum here.  My personal favorite is Take It All - just piano, a choir and that incredible, heart-choking voice.  I've never been a fan of vocal gymnastics.  I find that typically, those show-off super-singers spend too much time doing operatic back-flips and not enough time feeling the notes. With Adele this happens exactly never.  She's got the power and she's got the pipes but every note that escapes her lips is pure, gut-wrenching reality.  And we feel her torment.  We are drawn into every tear, each regret, each sorrow.  And we live the music with her.  What more can you ask of a singer?   "21" is brilliant poetry and brilliant performance.  I can't wait for "23".