Little Voice

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Binding: Audio CD EAN: 0886973105122 Label: SonyBMG Manufacturer: SonyBMG Number Of Discs: 1 Publisher: SonyBMG Release Date: 2008-06-16 Studio: SonyBMG
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Editorial Reviews: For many listeners, Little Voice will be their first exposure to this soulful singer/songwriter, but it's actually Sara Bareilles' second record. Her first, the self-released Careful Confessions, led to a deal with Epic. Since then, Bareilles has opened for Marc Broussard and Maroon 5. She's also become a bonafide soundtrack queen with tracks featured in female-centric films Girl Play, Loving Annabelle, and Monster-in-Law. As with her out-of-print debut, the UCLA grad wrote every song on her first major label recording (Little Voice features re-worked versions of several demo numbers). Like the portrait on the back of the CD--Bareilles in strappy black dress and lace-free high-tops--the piano-playing chanteuse combines the sweet with the scruffy. While her jazzy pop melodies are radio-ready, her relationship-oriented lyrics can be unexpectedly salty ("Bottle Up" and "Come Round Soon" wouldn't pass FCC muster). A little profanity here and there, however, doesn't indicate tough-girl attitude--Amy Winehouse can rest easy--so much as a desire to express herself freely. As Bareilles explains in "Love Song", "I'm trying to let you hear me as I am." (Not surprisingly, her degree is in communications). Fans of Sarah McLachlan and Alicia Keyes will find much to like here. --Kathleen C. Fennessy
Spotlight customer reviews: Customer Rating: Summary: A "Little Voice" With Big Talent and a Bright Future Awaiting Her Comment: With its incessant piano hook and heart-felt lyrics, "Love Song" caught my attention immediately as one of the most impressive debut singles I've heard on pop radio. So is it true with the rest of "Little Voice" which demonstrates that Sara Bareilles has an incredibly bright future ahead as a compelling chanteuse of original piano-based pop rock music (I'd like to think of her as someone with the melodic richness of a Sarah McLaughlin coupled with the sarcastic, hip lyrics and excellent musical chord writing of a Randy Newman.). Her stylistic influences range all over the map, from the fusion jazz of "Vegas" to the soft rock pop of "Love Song". Lyrically and musically, her most impressive songs include the short, but quite delightful, "Fairytale" and the memorable ballad "Gravity". "Little Voice" is a marvelous demonstration of "big talent" from a compelling young singer-songwriter from whom we will hear much of in the years ahead. Customer Rating: Summary: My favorite album of the year Comment: I have never written a review before but felt that this time, this gem of an album deserves all the credit it can get.'Love Song' is buzzing through my head all day long I think I even sing it in my sleep!! Every song is so different, a factor that is missing from a lot of albums these days, which makes it so endearing. 'Love on the Rocks' is amazing, I just adore it. Everyone should own a copy and promote this young maestro, she deserves all the fame and fortune of a Super Star. Certainly one to watch. I hope the second album is as great. Customer Rating: Summary: Consistently good Comment: Sick of one hit wonders? It's all too common - one good song and an album full of filler. To my mind, this album actually surpasses the promise of the single "Love Song". The more you listen, the more there is to like. If I'm honest, I barely listened to anything else for the last month - and that was an act of will. Her music combines melodies that will stay with haunt you for days with variety and genuinely clever lyrics. If you like the slightly quirky off-beat feel of "Love Song", try listening to "Fairytale", or "Morningside". For sad ballads, you'll be hard-pressed to find better than "Between the Lines", "City" and "Gravity". If you like slightly jazzy Norah Jones style, try "Vegas" or "or "One Sweet Love". Customer Rating: Summary: Little Voice - Big Heart Comment: ..... and still they keep coming ! Yet another gifted writer / performer. This time from across the water. On this evidence home-grown isn't necessarily better. (The Divine -but disintegrating - Ms Winehouse excepted of course). The industry's current obsession with all things female is beginning to reach saturation point. ...... and yet ..... Perhaps Ms Bareilles may be permitted a few moments of our time. Little Voice is a solid and splendid Little Album. Eleven very good songs and one real cracker - 'Between The Lines' - head-and-shoulders above the rest. The voice is soulful, elegant and never anything less than centered. The band and producer are on her side. Ms Bareilles grasp of jazzy vocal inflection is light and convincing - 'Vegas'; 'Come Round Soon'; 'Love On The Rocks' and 'Fairytale' bring the young Ms R.L. Jones to mind - and no shame in that. 'Love Song'; 'Morningside' and 'Many The Miles' demonstrate her not insignificant R&B credentials. With 'Between The Lines' however we come to the centre of that which this talented young woman is capable. It is a truly gorgeous, bitter-sweet beauty of a song, which, had she heard it first, Ms Twain may have fought tooth and claw to possess in an attempt to resurrect her ailing career. This one song alone is worth the price of the album. Recommended. Customer Rating: Summary: Amazing debut album Comment: Sara Bareilles' first long-player is a triumph indeed. Not only are the songs catchy and poppy, her voice different and beautiful; the songs are full of wonderful lyrics. "Love Song", the opener, is not a love song at all, but the complete opposite - a protest to her record company that wanted her to write a conventional love song...when in fact, a lot of the album is about heartbreak, and seems to be focused on wanting someone that never gives quite enough back to you...for example "Come Round Soon" (a particular favourite), with the line 'One too many drinks tonight, and I miss you...like you were mine.' Beautiful. My favourite on the album though is the absolutely heartbreaking 'Between the Lines', about a relationship that was never quite on or off ('I tell myself all the words he surely meant to say / I'll talk until the conversation doesn't stay on / "Wait for me, I'm almost ready", when he meant "let go"), is achingly beautiful, and is definitely the most impressive track. "Love on the Rocks" and "Bottle It Up" are catchy stand-out tracks too, and another favourite of mine is "Fairytale", all about how the fairytale ending never happens and isn't all it's cracked up to be; the lyrics are witty and funny, a particular favourite line being 'The tall blonde lets out a cry of despair / Says "would have cut it myself if I knew men could climb hair" /I'll have to find another tower somewhere and keep away from the windows.' And finally, the closer, "Gravity" deserves a mention for Bareilles' amazing vocal performance. A heartbreaking end to an album of heartache, anger, but hope, too ("Many The Miles" and "Vegas" for example.) I don't like comparisons, but her voice and lyrics remind me vaguely of Fiona Apple; I'd say she's a poppier, easier to listen to version, and shows great promise. Invest in this album, it's wonderful. More Reviews