Speaking strictly as a fan, Amy Winehouse has made the best album of the year based on one criterion: Listenability. In an age when so few records can be played front to back a handful of times, Winehouse's debut stands up to repeated listening with no skipping of tracks. At SXSW in March, she proved her mettle performing with the fine Brooklyn band the Dap-Kings behind her at night and with just a guitarist during the day. The boys over at Hits are equally impressed with her.
Winehouse has added two L.A. dates to a summer tour that is spenting mostly at European festivals. She plays the Wiltern Sept. 18 and 19, with tickets going on sale at 10 a.m. Saturday. Paolo Nutini opens.