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Wrong.

For one thing, I did not attack Adele’s vocal talent. It, in and of itself, is fine, and she nails it on “Skyfall”, IMO.

However: Go to the (online) Dynamic Range Database & look up Adele and “21”. “21” as was issued on CD is squashed, pure and simple. The vinyl release is, curiously, substantially better. Skyfall (on video disc) is ok in this regard, too. Not great by any means, but acceptable.

Next, go get yourself some decent equipment. You can probably find a set of used Thiel CS 3.5 or 3.6 speakers or something close at a reasonable price. (See Stereophile reviews, for fairly reliable guidance.) Otherwise, any number of new speakers available now in the, oh, say, $2000 plus range should suffice. Stick with those well reviewed by the really critical reviewers, not just any ol’ Audio-Video mag. Be sure to pair this with playback equipment of similar quality. Esp. if used but in good shape, your total should be $3000, tops. (In fact, there is a pair of Thiele 3.5’s on eBay now for $799 BIN, $499 starting bid.) If really pinched for $$, or if in a situation like an apt. where music at over background music levels is impractical, get a pair of $200 -$400 Sony / AKG / Beyer / Koss / Audio Technica headphones and electronics worthy of them. Used / in good condition, $1k should get you by.

Now, listen at a brisk but not painfully loud volume to “21” on CD vs. “Skyfall” off the video disc (either Blu Ray or regular HD is ok). Compare closely several times. You WILL hear the difference, or, if you need a more dramatic demonstration, play Amanda McBroom & Lincoln Mayorga (Album: Growing Up in Hollywood Town, Song: Amanda) from the Sheffield Lab CD for comparison / “ear training”.

The first issue is the heavy compression* on the CD version of “21”, already discussed. The 2nd issue is distortion in the voice: I’m not sure if it was in the mic, or the Aphex was cranked too much, or if it was somehow introduced either deliberately or accidentally by some other means, but the distortion is CLEARLY there if the “21” CD is auditioned on good equipment by ears that are accustomed to listening to clean source material in the first place.* (Best of all is careful long term listening to good singers with a minimum of, or preferably NO electronic processing, and no amplification, or very (very!) clean reinforcement gear.)

You already have this level of equipment? Granted, some people are more sensitive to distortion than others. Others simply (eh?) tune it out. (Understatement of the year?)

“Heart” is fine. Well, maybe not always. OJ probably felt it deep in his heart when he did the deed. But he likely was not singing. Let’s just say that in a grown songstress’ work I prefer a heart that got past 15, and half the time the singer can sing about something beside her (or his, for that matter) failed relationships / bad choices in relationships / etc. See my earlier post, today. If you feel Adele has since cranked out such tunes, suggest away & I’ll check ‘em out. :-)

*Note: For a real experience of “crushed” audio, any more, just about any rock / pop / oldies / etc. FM station will do. I cannot even listen to 95% of the stations around here any more. The “loudness wars” have badly compressed most non-vinyl releases and rereleases in the last 25 years or so anyway, and then the FM stations REALLY crunch ‘em down again. It’s ghastly obvious on even a mid-end factory car stereo. A couple of our classical and / or jazz stations are ok. Otherwise, it’s like eating cereal that’s been in the milk for 4 hours...