Amazon.co.uk Review
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
CD Description
Debut album of surprisingly confident and natural-sounding adult contemporary pop from this young Californian pianist, singer and songwriter. Drawing comparisons with Fiona Apple,Vanessa Carlton and Norah Jones, her witty and emotionally engaging songs explore aspects of life and love in the modern day. Lushly orchestrated and produced by Eric Rosse (Tori Amos), it includes the single 'Love Song', a subversive sideswipe at her record label.