Amy Winehouse’s soulful voice, winged eyebrows, and record-breaking albums have earned her praise, but she is also the target of harsh criticism. John Bush is one of the music critics who highly value Winehouse’s Back to Black album. John Bush became a music critic at AllMusic after obtaining his B.A. Calvin College awarded John Bush a B.A. AllMusic, which was founded in 1991, has served the music industry with album reviews since its launch. AllMusic contains information about over three millions albums. It has built its reputation through posting constant reviews on new albums.
John Bush’s review on Amy Winehouse’s Back to Black album is now one of AllMusic’s many trustworthy reviews. Its reputation and credentials are a testament to this. Bush touches upon Winehouse’s transition from Jazz to Contemporary R&B. He also mentions her lyrical talent and influences. Bush mentions Winehouse’s genre shift and says, “all her best musical characteristics emerge intact. In fact, they are even better now that she has transformed from jazz singer to soul siren.” Bush praises Winehouse in the review for her soulful vocals as well as her ability to refine the music genres she created. Bush’s praise for Winehouse continues as he writes, “her eye and way of explaining details are delightful”. Bush says that Winehouse is a great songwriter who can write songs that will make it to the top. Bush mentions 60s Soul Girl Groups as a major influence on Winehouse’s Back to Black album. Bush also notes that Mark Ronson & Salaam Remi are experienced producers in this genre.
Bush moves away from music to describe the audience and stakes for the album. Bush, who has always been positive about Winehouse’s album, believes Back to Black to be a universal record that can appeal to a range of people due to its relatable songs. Bush stated that celebrity and commercial success could ruin Amy Winehouse. She had the ability to be playful and insouciant when she made her debut.
Bush’s Back to Black review focuses on Winehouse, her influences, her voice and lyrics. It ignores any possibility of the album’s failure and does not raise any doubts about it.
