Leonard Cohen nailed it, really, with the statement that he was born with the gift of a golden voice. Same goes for Joss Stone, really, as she has demonstrated since her debut album The Soul Sessions in 2003. Remarkably, she is still only 24 years young. LP1 is her fifthalbum, on the back of initial success in the UK and then in the States. Her voice is unique, powerful, soulful and with loads of depth.
Sadly, I feel that LP1 doesn't live up to the standard of Stone's previous releases. Yes, the voice is undiminished but the material and the setting don't do her justice. Where The Soul Sessions and 2007's Introducing Joss Stone gave her the opportunity to unleash her voice in a soul-based environment, LP1 is more rock-oriented and, for me, unduly over-dramatic. Yes, it has its moments, but frankly Stone (and her voice) deserve better.
With 11 million sales under her belt, I am sure her future doesn't rest on this album, and here's hoping she returns to what she does best.
