I gotta give props to Amy Winehouse— a girl whose management company thought she was a bit too drunk all the time, told her to go to rehab, and in turn she told them to sod off and made a hit single out of a potentially dire situation. Maybe you’ve seen the video for Rehab on collegecandy. It shot to the top of the charts in England, and has made Amy the most successful British female artist this year. Now, she’s starting to make noise on these shores playing a sold out gig at the Bowery Ballroom in October, and appearing on David Letterman. Even Britain’s beloved male pop-tart Robbie Williams couldn’t even accomplish that. How’s that for a fuck you!

I mean, I’ve seen footage of the fabulous Ms. Winehouse butchering a cover of Michael Jackson’s Beat It—the girl was so inebriated she could hardly get the words out. But to be honest, her kiss off attitude combined with her amazing, sultry voice makes me love her even more. So she likes to cocktail—we all do. We just don’t have the option of doing it on TV.

She’s got hair that… I don’t even know how to describe it. It’s a total mess all the time (probably due to sleeping off the hangover and missing her stylist appointment). And sure, she’s missing teeth (gotta fit the profile of the stereotypical English people somehow). But alas, she’s still pretty stunning.

However you feel about Amy’s behavior, or personal hygiene, there’s no denying that the girl has got talent. Her voice is reminiscent of that unrestrained, smoky, old school R&B sound that’s just oh so sexy. She can quietly seduce you, and then blow you away with Aretha Franklin inspired vocals.

This album definitely has an old school vibe—there are hints of ‘50’s Motown recordings throughout. Much of her album was recorded with the Dap Kings who are maybe one of the best house bands of yesteryear. But what’s great about Amy is how she’s updated it. Take Me and Mr. Jones for example. It swings like the old standard and yet the lyrics—“What kind of fuckery is this/you made me miss the Slick Rick gig”—are simply hilarious. On You Know I’m No Good the sound remains vintage even while GhostFace Killa spits a few mean verses. And Love is a Losing Game is quite simply beautiful.

There’s no doubt we’ll be hearing more from Amy. She just rocked SXSW, and a tour of the States is soon to follow. Only problem—Amy notoriously has cancelled gigs due to her love of the drink, and even once had to walk off stage a la Paris Hilton to be ill in the corner (now that’s class.) But the music industry could use a girl with a little bit of baggage to toss around and shake things up.

Check for tour dates here.

Discography
Frank—2003
Back to Black—2006

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