Albums to watch

I Learned The Hard Way

Sharon Jones And The Dap-Kings

I Learned The Hard Way

Fourth album from the Brooklyn vintage funk / soul revivalists who also backed Amy Winehouse

ADM rating[?]

7.3

Label
Daptone
UK Release date
06/04/2010
  1. 8.5 |   BBC

    They match bold exuberance with sensitivity and affection that elevates them far beyond pastiche
    Read Review

  2. 8.0 |   The Independent

    There are plenty of standouts, not least "Better Things", with a piano hook that acts like a semi-colon on the riff, and "Money", which applies the dynamic of Edwin Starr's "War" to financial battles
    Read Review

  3. 8.0 |   Pitchfork

    This record hardly needs to be recommended to soul fans, but even if revisitations of older music styles aren't usually your thing, I Learned the Hard Way is worth digging up
    Read Review

  4. 8.0 |   PopMatters

    This album—perhaps better than its three predecessors—shows her as an immensely talented singer with a genius eye for how to shape a phrase, how to pull the most out of each word
    Read Review

  5. 8.0 |   Under The Radar

    ... swaggering though 12 tracks of classic R&B like the ass-kicking, name-taking mother figure you've always wanted
    Read Review

  6. 8.0 |   Mojo

    Print edition only

  7. 8.0 |   Evening Standard

    The playing is consummate, particularly that of drummer Homer Steinweiss
    Read Review

  8. 8.0 |   musicOMH

    This fourth album shows Sharon and The Dap Kings at their most polished, funky and soulful. Mrs Jones sure has got a thing goin' on
    Read Review

  9. 8.0 |   Tiny Mix Tapes

    The album excitingly perpetuates Jones' reputation as one of soul's all-time greats
    Read Review

  10. 7.0 |   Beats Per Minute

    There’s something irresistible about the way they do that thing they do – they obviously love this sound and they do it well
    Read Review

  11. 7.0 |   The Line Of Best Fit

    The ones in the know will be dancing right along to grooves that are impossible to resist with Sharon as our dynamic, modern-day monarch of soul
    Read Review

  12. 7.0 |   Spin

    The biggest development is the inclusion of backup singers on several tracks -- not that Jones needs an echo to get her point
    Read Review

  13. 7.0 |   No Ripcord

    A whole album of perfectly-executed retro soul can be a little wearing, but the craftsmanship carries it through, and the sheer joy of hearing a band go against the grain in the way that this band do, makes I Learned the Hard Way fully deserving of your time
    Read Review

  14. 6.0 |   The Guardian

    It's almost comically textbook at times, but made with love
    Read Review

  15. 6.0 |   Q

    Print edition only

  16. 6.0 |   Uncut

    Print edition only


blog comments powered by Disqus

Watch it

Roll over video for more options

Preview & download it

Sharon Jones And The Dap-Kings: I Learned The Hard Way

  • Download full album for just £8.49
  • 1. The Game Gets Old N/A
  • 2. I Learned the Hard Way N/A
  • 3. Better Things N/A
  • 4. Give It Back N/A
  • 5. Money N/A
  • 6. The Reason N/A
  • 7. Window Shopping N/A
  • 8. She Ain't a Child No More N/A
  • 9. I'll Still Be True N/A
  • 10. Without a Heart N/A
  • 11. If You Call N/A
  • 12. Mama Don't Like My Man N/A
  • Service provided by 7Digital

Latest Reviews

More reviews