Little Voice - Dark Publications

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Editorial Reviews:

Product Description
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Amazon.com
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

Customer Reviews: Read 177 more reviews...

5 out of 5 stars

A Flawless Album From A Big Voice July 3, 2007
31 out of 33 found this review helpful

Sara Bareilles' CD, 'Little Voice,' is one of the best CDs my ears have had the pleasure of listening to. Every song is flawless, a task which I thought impossible because I had become so attached to all of her old renditions of these songs. For those hesitant in how the new sound is, don't be. She takes these songs and changes them, they grow and morph into (while not necessarily better) amazIng works of art. 'Love Song' is one of the best 'jump-around-summer-songs' I've heard of late, and 'Gravity' will put tears in your eyes with its beauty and simplicity. 'Vegas' is a song I can play over and over, while 'Between the Lines' (the only song I had not heard before buying the album) is a somber and tragic song. And while 'Fairytale' may never sound as good as it does with only Sara and her piano, this new version fits very nicely with this perfect album. Sara's words are strong, her voice phenomenal, and her piano skills abundant, and this album is the perfect testament to the sheer beauty of everything that is Sara Bareilles. Is it too soon to be anticipating her next album?

5 out of 5 stars

The future of piano rock July 3, 2007
30 out of 31 found this review helpful

I first heard Sara Bareilles in a free song of the week on I-Tunes, the song was "Love Song". Well, it blew me away. It was instantly one of the best songs I heard this year and I was impatient for the rest of the album to come out. Well, I was well pleased to hear the rest of this album. She has a great talent, the songs fit together well and her voice is incredible. She is reminiscent of Fiona Apple in her voice style but builds on that with the instrumental accompaniment to the songs, which complement her well. If you want real new music, this is it.

5 out of 5 stars

Addicting New Voice! July 10, 2007
27 out of 31 found this review helpful

Sara Bareilles has put together a wonderful CD. Thanks to the iTunes song of the week, I heard "Love Song," and the rest was history. I immediately pre-ordered the CD and it was worth the wait. I'm in love with just about every song on the CD. (There is an extended version of "Love Song" on the CD. I imagine, iTunes put out the radio edit.)

Sara has a wonderful singing voice and the lyrics are intelligent and catchy. Sara has immense musical talent and I can't wait to hear what she puts out next!

Jennifer

3 out of 5 stars

...more of a comment than a review... January 8, 2008
16 out of 23 found this review helpful

While I do agree with the part of the Amazon review that says that there is a lot to like in this artist, I have a comment to make:

While Sara knows how to use her voice to good effect and actually does write intelligently (especially compared to the disaster that is the "young popular musicians scene" of today), I do feel that her piano playing is absolutely horrendous. I'm not sure if she accompanies herself in an attempt to jump on the "if I show people that I can plunk out notes on a piano, they will automatically see me as a credible musician" train, or just because she likes to play. Regardless, I think she should delve into some serious piano study if she intends to keep accompanying herself. Another option would be for her to write out the piano part, but have a better-trained pianist actually play it. It just grates on the ears a bit, for some of us.... Otherwise, though, she is a welcome artist to have around. I'll take Sara Bareilles over the Rihanna/Mylie Cyrus/Ashlee Simpson/Jessica Simpson/Britney Spears musical train wreck any day.

2 out of 5 stars

good voice, generic sound that's not necessarily her fault August 11, 2007
11 out of 24 found this review helpful

Despite what some people are saying, Sara Bareilles is not very similar to Fiona Apple. Yes, she plays piano, and yes, her voice takes on a sort of deep tone at times, but otherwise there is no similarity between the raw emotion of Fiona and the polished pop stylings of Sara. She is also in no way similar to Tori Amos. People, just because a girl plays piano doesn't mean she's like Tori Amos or Fiona Apple.

Aside from that, this album isn't very compelling. It starts off strong with the obvious single "Love Song," which could've been written by Carole King. But nothing after that comes close to the level of energy or smart lyrics that are in that song. A lot of the other songs are filled with blunt lyrical zingers that kind of make me cringe, like she was trying too hard to be clever. Maybe that can be blamed on the production? Musically, I can't tell if the songs themselves are generic or if the production makes them sound that way, but I kept hoping each following song would have some of the spunk of the first track or at least strike me in some other way. None of them did.

She does seem to be a talented singer and musician, so if she was reigned in for her major label debut hopefully she'll be able to branch out for her next album.

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