There's not a lot of point speculating whether Adeles' debut works on a commercial level. The Brit Awards and the album's platinum status have already established its success in these terms.
Nor is there any great mystery about Ms Adkin's appeaI. She has the voice to carry off a highly effective updating of the pop-soul classic sound. All this is self evident in the hit single 'Chasing Pavements' which plays so well to all her strengths.
The North London accent (""I don't get nuffin back") is also great as are her rotund girl next door looks which make such a refreshing change from the production line quality of her more shapely peers. Verily an Alison Moyet for a new generation.
The question I would pose is whether she really has the soul credentials to endure. This is something that depends on more than just technique (which can be learned) and one good album (which may be a fluke).
Call me perverse but the slight squeak in the voice on 'Melt My Heart To Stone' appeals more that the raspy soul -diva range she demonstrates so pitch perfectly elsewhere.
Definite points in her favour come from the majestic cover version of Bob Dylan's 'Make Me Feel Your Love'. It is the simplicity of the arrangement (just voice and piano)that makes this work so well. Her more understated vocal brings out all the pathos of lines like "I'd go hungry, I'd go blind for you".
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On the strength of this I would love to hear her do more covers for her sophomore release taking on some soul classics or doing Cat Power style makeovers.
The production values overall tend to smother the sound with overly dramatic orchestral sweeps and intrusive backing choruses but there's no mistaking the quality of the songs here - 'Daydreamer' 'Tired' and 'Hometown Glory' are my own picks of the pack.
The album title refers to her age at the time of recording (although she has also joked that it was named after her weight in stones!) This means she has time to mature so that it is not just her figure which is fully rounded.
The pressure is also in being able to maintain her down to earth credibility now she doesn't have to get her clothes from Top-Shop.
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