I was really excited to hear Sara Bareilles's new album and though it was "officially" released today, I've been enjoying it for a few days thanks to a livestream on iTunes! We already got a glimpse from "Brave" that this album was going to be different than Sara's other work, but thanks to "Manhattan" (a beautiful ballad that makes me and Harper think of Casablanca) we knew she was staying true to her heartbreaking-slow-song side, too. I was surprised by the rest of the album though, because I thought it would be poppier, in the style of "Brave". "Brave" was also very upbeat, and this album is pretty overwhelmingly sad. That doesn't mean it's not worth listening to, it really is just to get a sense of the new directions Sara has explored, but it's definitely a break-up album! So what is the sound? Well, it's big, echo-y, kind-of synthetic at times, and a bit of classic pop-rock with the "ch-ch-changes" on "Eden". I think she's playing some other instruments beyond piano but we don't have the album booklet (we got it from the first pre-sale on gumroad) so I'm not sure. She has some really interesting rhythms, especially on "Hercules", which I'm glad to hear since I loved some other unusual rhythms on her song "Let the Rain" from the last album. Prepare to be creeped out by the beginning of, but then fall in love with, "Cassiopeia" (still haven't learnt to spell it). My favorites are "I Choose You" (a really, really sweet love song that everyone here has now added to their "first dance at my wedding reception" shortlists) and "Little Black Dress" (maybe because the album is so sad for awhile, and this one really picks you up while still building on that mood - it's really jazzy and wonderful). Honorable mention to "Eden" for just being so unique, and "1000 Times" for being such an earworm. My least favorite is "Chasing the Sun" (though I really like the line about the "cemetery in the center of Queens"); it comes off as a little cliche to me. I think it's really hard to write a sincere "dealing with my mortality"/"live in the moment" song, and though I suspect Sara's is coming from a genuine place, the refrain is too grandiose and generic for me right now. The verses are a lot better, though. I guess "Satellite Call" is a least-favorite too. So much that I forgot it's even on the album! It's just not holding my attention or standing out to me. Our version included the bonus track "Root Down" which I like, mostly for the instrumentation and melody, but my favorite of the bonus tracks I have heard is "Beautiful Girl". So simple, yet so true to so many of us! (Have a listen to a live version below!) I don't like that she has so many bonus tracks at so many different locations, though. I don't want to buy three versions of the album just to get them all. I wish the iTunes one, at least, was sold without having to buy the album. Overall, I really enjoyed this album, but I did feel there were a few minor weak points, so I give this album a 4.5/5!
Live version of "Beautiful Girl", one of the Target bonus tracks
No comments:
Post a Comment