Adele was ever present around the time of this release, but she the songs have undoubtedly stood the test of time - there is a depth there that means they go beyond being simple earworms. Adele's voice is powerful and all embracing, and the choice of instruments and backing singers merely add to the sense of it being a platform from which she can shine. Go back and listen to the big hits - the sparsity of instrumental variety is offset by the breadth of their sound, all knitting together under Adele's vocals.
Rolling in the Deep takes a simple, and quiet, piano chord progression, hand claps, and superb late 60s style backing call and response vocals, and turns it into an utterly engaging behemoth. Rumour Has It is built around a lovely bit of slap bass, hand claps (again), and a very simple drum beat, before some strings and piano add a bit of class on the bridge. The misses come in the shape of the overly sentimental One and Only, which isn't bad so much as simply failing to live up to the obscenely high standard of the other album tracks.
This is an album I absolutely believe will stand the test of time - the standout tracks will be know word-for-word by people yet to be born, they really are that good. It isn't perfect, and certainly could be seen as slightly formulaic and overblown, but when heart-wrenching songs are this good, I'm ok with a bit of bombast.
Chloe's album rating: 7
Chloe's favourite track: 11. Someone Like You
Olly's album rating: 8
Olly's favourite track: 1. Rolling in the Deep
Next week we have 245. Home is Where the Music Is by Hugh Masekela.
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