- Record of the Year - "Rolling In The Deep"
- Album of the Year
- Song of the Year - "Rolling In The Deep"
- Best Pop Solo Performance - "Someone Like You"
- Best Pop Vocal Album
- Producer of the Year - Paul Epworth - "I'll Be Waiting" and "Rolling In The Deep"
- Producer of the Year - Ryan Tedder - "Rumor Has It"
- Best Short Form Music Video - "Rolling In The Deep"
NPR Music (my most recommended app - give it a shot!) gave me my first taste of her music with 19, and while she was just a passing artist to my mind, I knew I liked what she had to say and how she had to say it. Therefore, it wasn't a huge surprise when things started spinning up for her, as it always just takes the right person to notice.
I've included a lot of videos for today, just because there were so many awesome live performances to pull from. Also, Spotify doesn't have this album up for free accounts (not sure if paid ones have access), so no full link today, but search on YouTube and I bet you'll find everything. Anywhos, let's get down to it, shall we?
Of course we begin things with the ever popular "Rolling In The Deep." A song completely different then I think anything I've ever personally heard, it immediately speaks of the heartbreak that this entire album was based off of. "We could have had it all."
Ah now, here's one of those lovely admittance moments - I'm really only used to the "Glee" mash-up with "Rumour Has It." I remain a proud Gleek folks. I've listened to this whole album a few times before, mostly on shuffle, but still never skipping, hence why it was one of my favorites of last year. This song along helps stand up to the unique moments I spoke of before. The only thing I don't like are the squeak moments, but I'm okay with their throw-back feel. I love the beat and piano takeover at the end from that. The breakdown gives this unexpected touch I never get sick of. Here's a live version from the iTunes festival of last year, which I seem to remember her totally tearing up according to critics.
The first Adele song performed on "Glee" was for the episode "Night of Neglect" by Gweneth Paltrow. And no, I did not need to look that up. It was the song "Turning Tables," and was picked for her message to Shu, but also because Adele was an artist so many loved but never got enough credit. Two weeks later, I kid you not, "Rolling In The Deep" blew up on the radio. Here's a live version of the next track though, one of my favorites from the album, "Turning Tables."
"Don't You Remember" continues to keep things light, this time with a guitar backing. Then the drums and piano come into give her a little more power building to the chorus. While this isn't one of my favorites on the album at the get-go, it's got an interesting way about it. There's a sadness in wanting someone to remember you, but you don't want to necessarily admit you desire that out loud. Yet... sure, she lays it out on the line. Here's a sweet version from the LIVE AOL Sessions.
"Set Fire To The Rain" is the latest track you've been hearing on the radio. It's a little hard to understand, but there's this incredible sense of strength to the whole thing. I've always liked to think of setting fire to the rain as being a metaphor for doing away with tears. Instrumentally, it's a song with a lot more behind it than we've heard yet on the album, but for a mid-album track, it brings us back to the intensity that we maybe need to be revitalized in such a dark subjected collection.
One of the few I don't have a video to share for it the next one, "He Won't Go." There's a steady beat to begin, a little more up than some of the other tracks, but not as up as the last one. There's still a solemn feel throughout. The chorus brings in this funky little beat build and staccato notes. It's got a good solemn tone to it throughout, never totally jarring our senses, but never really giving us a ton to love.
"Take It All" is meant to be a pretty sad song, and the one she referred to in an earlier video as the one that gets to her every time. There's a strong reminiscent feel of Etta in here, and maybe some Alicia Keys influence as well. I can see why my roommate assumed she was a black woman for so long before actually seeing her. It's almost a gospel song we're getting here. Here's the iTunes festival performance.
"I'll Be Waiting" is this cool little R&B jam, complete with horns, almost allowing a ska-ish sound. Her voice carries it with almost a regal sound. It's almost like the reach-back song when you want him back though. Funny how the music makes it sound like a triumph number, but the lyrics speak otherwise. "I'll be somebody different; I'll be better for you." Bah. This is not strength, but it's uncalled for all the time.
The layering that this next one builds to is incredible. Here's a live version of "One And Only."
"Lovesong" begins with this total acoustic theme going on, and then she sings, and you realize you know EXACTLY where this one came from. It's a fantastic cover and beautiful in a totally different way. Here's her performance on Letterman of it.
And finally, we've come to the close out song - the big hit single, "Someone Like You."
It's clearly a hard song. There's a lot of soul and heart put into it, but it's got this forced strength I think someone who's gone through everything we've heard on this CD needs. "Sometimes it lasts in love, but sometimes it hurts instead." Sometimes you have to force yourself forward, and it's completely tough, but necessary.
Added to My Playlist:
- "Rolling In The Deep"
- "Rumour Has It"
- "Turning Tables"
- "Set Fire To The Rain"
- "I'll Be Waiting"
- "One and Only"
- "Lovesong"
- "Someone Like You"