Released - 4/6/10
Label - Daptone Records
BLURB - If you asked me at the beginning of the year if I had a thing for 50 year black women, I would have gave you the stink eye. But after listening to Sharon Jones' latest release, I'm inclined to give some sort of sly wink and look of approval. Sharon Jones and her 'Dap Kings' finally break through to mainstream America with their fourth album, 'I Learned the Hard Way.' Comprised of namely soul, pop and R&B tunes, the album is far too easy to get hooked on and incredibly listenable. The tones are bright, the hooks are catchy and the melodies are plentiful. What's also great is that there is a bit of indie charm to this record, as it is not over-produced and sounds like something straight out of the sixties.
Rating - 8 out of 10
FULL STORY - Admittedly, I'm a huge Amy Winehouse fan. However, being the train wreck that she is, she rarely...if ever, releases new material. What this has done over the past two years is opened up a window for someone to step into the whole retro-soul throwback genre. And after decades of trying to break through, it seems as if Sharon Jones has finally done just that.
The album opens up with the moderately-paced, 'The Game Gets Old.' Detailing the struggles of the 'game' of love, the song proves that there can never be too many songs about heartbreak. The lyrics are simple enough and never get overly emotional or complex, allowing the track to be not only accessible, but enjoyable. The music is filled with string arrangements, horns, which outline Jones' phrasing nicely.
The title track, 'I Learned the Hard Way,' brings with it a little bit of sass and humility. Jones' breaks down a troubled relationship, but comes off more like a powerful story telling as opposed to a diary entry. There's also an air of arrogance and swagger that gives the track a distinct personality and feel.
'Ill Still Be True' swings with a bevy of horns and muted guitar riffs. Jabs of organs and keyboards interject sporadically creating points of emphasis that help to keep the listener on their toes. The track also, both musically and lyrically, is filled with passion and energy that sometime become a bit chaotic. But this is good, as the song comes off very raw and channels Jones' inner Janis Joplin.
Perhaps the most Winehouse-esque track would be 'Without a Heart.' The track bounces around with a motown flair and a hint of blues. The background vocals provide great accentuation to the innately pop nature of the song, and help create some solid vocal hooks.
Perhaps the only drawback to this record is that it seems a bit restrained. Granted the album as a whole is a great listen, but there was a lack of those 'get out of your seat and groove' moments. The middle of the album seemed a bit lackluster as each song tended to flow and blend in the with the following one. That being said, the album is still great and something that hasn't left my rotation in the months since I first purchased the record. Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings have finally broke through, but the big question here is, now what?
Tracks
1.) The Game Gets Old
2.) I Learned the Hard Way
3.) Better Things
4.) Give It Back
5.) Money
6.) The Reason
7.) Window Shopping
8.) She Ain't a Child No More
9.) I'll Still Be True
10.) Without a Heart
11.) If You Call
12.) Mama Don't Like My Man
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