Adele "21" - 10 out of 10
I got this album for my girlfriend and ended up falling in love with the entire thing. I typically like smoky soulful voices when it comes to females and jazz/pop. However, her voice is intoxicating and very "big". I don't know if she wrote these songs but I absolutely hope she did. Rolling In The Deep, Tables Turning & Someone Like You are my favorites but every song has merit and a catchy hook. Very well done album. Very surprised.
Paul Simon "So Beautiful Or So What" - 7 out of 10
A lot of typical Simon fare going on in this album. Multiple tracks with African beats similar to everything he has done for the last 20 years. However, all the tracks are good, especially the inspired opening track and the gorgeous Love Is Eternal Sacred Light. It is not a step in a new direction but the tracks are put together well. This is a good "easy listening" album for a fella at work like myself. Would I listen to this in depth at home? Nah. It's too standard Simon to care that much.
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