Sara’s got one of the best pop voices in the past twenty years. She knows when to flaunt it, she knows when to sing it straight, but most of all – she’s got character. She wants to talk, she wants to convey emotion. So she’s certainly not going to powerhouse every song to prove she can be a diva, but there’s no doubt she absolutely could be. She’s also got a foul mouth when she’s on stage, and maybe that’s another reason I like her so much.
Love Song
It may be overplayed on the radio, but I still remember first hearing this on a Rhapsody commercial which caused me to stop everything and think aloud, “Who the hell is that?” The piano has got a simple jump to it that has been done a hundred thousand times before and a few hundred since, however it’s Bareillies’ vocals and no nonsense lyrics that resonated with listeners. It also features what I consider to be one of the best bridges in modern pop music.
Many the Miles
One of her absolute best songs. It’s got soul, it’s got a little blues, and it’s got swagger. The funk guitar sits on the bottom of the chorus while the big vocals take over, but the real money is on the transition back to the verse. Here we hear some of the best piano parts on the record. It’s not overly difficult but it feels really, really good. “ I've been talking to God don’t know if it’s helping or not, but surely something has got to give – ‘cause I can’t keep waiting to live.”
Love on the Rocks
Best track on the album. “Here’s a simplification of everything I'm going through: you plus me is bad news.” While the lyrics are among the best on the record the music is absolutely the best. The harmonies are spot and well placed, the piano part’s theme is indisputably cool, and the guitar brings a bit of funk. If you liked ‘Love Song’ in any capacity, then you’ll love ‘Love on the Rocks’. That’s a lot of love in one sentence.
It may be overplayed on the radio, but I still remember first hearing this on a Rhapsody commercial which caused me to stop everything and think aloud, “Who the hell is that?” The piano has got a simple jump to it that has been done a hundred thousand times before and a few hundred since, however it’s Bareillies’ vocals and no nonsense lyrics that resonated with listeners. It also features what I consider to be one of the best bridges in modern pop music.
Many the Miles
Love on the Rocks
Best track on the album. “Here’s a simplification of everything I'm going through: you plus me is bad news.” While the lyrics are among the best on the record the music is absolutely the best. The harmonies are spot and well placed, the piano part’s theme is indisputably cool, and the guitar brings a bit of funk. If you liked ‘Love Song’ in any capacity, then you’ll love ‘Love on the Rocks’. That’s a lot of love in one sentence.
All in all, Sara’s still my girl. It’s a great album and Sara doesn't get enough credit. That being said, I had a hard time giving this an impartial grade. Bareillies can at times a bit too generic lyrically or can focus on things that don’t appeal to a 29 year old man. However, musically she’s solid and vocally she can be a show stopper. It’s a wonderful début album by a truly special artist.
Tomorrow's album: The Beatles' A Hard Day's Night.
