'Mind, Body & Soul' Review • Introducing...Joss Stone

Mind, Body & Soul was Joss Stone's second album to be released. Moving away from the cover versions of The Soul Sessions, Mind, Body & Soul remains as soulful, but occassionally reaches out into rhythm and blues.

Right To Be Wrong

Right To Be Wrong, the second single to be taken from Mind, Body & Soul, is a gentle, flowing, and yet powerful ballad which displays the flair of Stone's voice incredibly well; a stunning opening track.

Jet Lag

Jet Lag is another gentle song with a distinctly angelic quality to it. Whilst the lyrics are at some times a little contrived, Stone sings them with great conviction; a truly beautiful song.

You Had Me

You Had Me is a faster-paced track on Mind, Body & Soul with a catchy, funky back beat and some powerful, well delivered lyrics, although at times the lyrics seem somewhat forced.

The debut single from the album, You Had Me is doubtless the song which attracted many new fans to Stone after the success of The Soul Sessions.

Spoiled

Spoiled, the thrid single to be taken from Mind, Body & Soul, is the beautifully powerful and touching ballad, which showcases much of Stone's vocal talent. Whilst at times the lyrics probably take themselves a little too seriously (for example, 'I've never seen the word love so personified as I do with you'), Spoiled is nonetheless a strong song from an album full of strong songs.

Don't Cha Wanna Ride?

Don't Cha Wanna Ride is a summery, flowery song reminiscent of Super Duper Love, but it tries to hard to replicate this, and the chorus, in particular, feels very laboured. The fourth single to be taken from Mind, Body & Soul, Don't Cha Wanna Ride is one of the weaker songs on the album, but still provides an enjoyable listen.

Less Is More

A slower, more soothing song than Don't Cha Wanna Ride, Less Is More is Stone at her best, preaching about love with a catchy chorus and soulful lyrics and methodic, forceful backing which neither overpowers the song itself or is overpowered by the song.

Security

Security is another heart-felt song on love with a pacing backing and gently sung lyrics which caress the listener's ears.

Young At Heart

Young At Heart, the seventh track on Mind, Body & Soul, lacks some of the flair of the other songs on this album, but is still a likeable song.

Snakes And Ladders

Snakes And Ladders is a stronger, punchier song than Young At Heart, with a memorable chorus and beautifully-written flowing lyrics.

Understand

The tenth song of Mind, Body & Soul, Understand is another showcase of Stone's vocal talent, but the lyrics are underwhelming and, at times, laboured ('I keep our song on repeat, on my iPod, even when I sleep').

Don't Know How

Don't Know How is a more up-beat, faster-paced song than the previous few on the album, with a catchy backing track.

Torn And Tattered

Torn And Tattered, the twelfth song on Mind, Body & Soul, is a strong song, with its rhythmic drum and string backing providing a soft, gentle edge to the well-written lyrics.

Killing Time

Killing Time is another slow strong, gently-paced song, with Stone's voice satisfactorily adding power and weight behind the lyrics.

Mind, Body and Soul - Summary

Mind, Body and Soul is an excellent album (although what verdict do you expect from a website called 'Introducing Joss Stone'?), and viewed by many Joss fans as her best album, despite Stone's public stance on Introducing Joss Stone as being a truer reflection of her talents.

Other Joss Stone Websites

The official Joss Stone Facebook Group. The official Joss Stone MySpace page.