Duffy – Rockferry

Duffy – Rockferry / 2008 Mercury / 10 Tracks / http://www.iamduffy.com / http://www.mercuryrecords.com /

Individuals may know who Duffy is through eir support of The Magic Numbers, or through eir performances on Jools Holland’s Later. This is the debut album by Duffy, and it showcases a very timeless type of psychedelic-based female singing in the vein of a Dusty Springfield or a Grace Slick. The title track starts off “Rockferry”, and the slower, deliberate instrumentation allows Duffy’s vocals to really reach an intensity that would only be hindered by a more active set of instrumentation. The interesting thing about “Rockferry” is the fact that Duffy’s vocals are not perfect, they do show variation, and they stand out as something unique in a period that has been conquered by pop princesses that were fixed up through Autotune.

The funkiness that is present during “Warwick Avenue” continues the classic sound first broached during “Rockferry”, and will undoubtedly bring in fans of individuals like Amy Winehouse through the breathy, bluesy sound that Duffy’s vocals touch upon at points during the track. However strong both “Rockferry” and “Warwick Avenue” were, it is really during “Serious” that Duffy has eir first unqualified pop hit. With twinkling guitars pulled from the sixties and a set of vocals that are firmly rooted in the current period, Duffy has went and bound up all individuals through the widest of nets. The slower “Stepping Stone” may not be as immediately attractive as “Serious”, but it rapidly gains listeners through Duffy’s strong, empowered tone. This tone rapidly increases in fury until that point where individuals should know not to cross eir. This sound continues through “Hanging on Too Long”.

The sense that there has been love and that that love has disappeared is a common thread through all 10 cuts on “Rockferry”. Practically anyone that is above the age of 14 will rapidly be able to identify with Duffy’s emotions here, making this album into something that can be appreciated even if the styles of music present are not what are appreciated by some individuals. However, if you miss the pop stars of the early to mid sixties and want to hear how someone that was not even alive during the period would do it, pick up “Rockferry”. Even though I was not alive during that period either, I feel that Duffy does a damn good job, and does an even better job when it comes to making these compositions “sexy” for a current audience.

Top Tracks: Hanging On Too Long, Serious

Rating: 7.6/10

Please follow and like us: