Sins of the Past

I feel there is a desperate need out there amongst those of us who grew up in the 90's to know that just because N Sync, Backstreet Boys, Britney Spears, and Christina Aguilera are "out of order" does not mean that we, the products of the 90's don't have any new music to turn to. I admit, I myself was swayed by the striking good looks of Nick Carter, the upbeat tempo of "Pop," the Catholic school uniform and pigtails, and the wailing strains of Lady Marmalade. But wo, wo, wo unto the sinner. (But in our defense, we didn't know any better.) I now call all of you music sinners to repentance. Turn from your trashy pop ways and embrace real music.

Regardless of our past musical sins, there is hope of redemption. This comes in the form of New Music. New Sounds. New artists who don't take off their clothes or perform complicated dance moves or be "Dirrty." These new beings have resurrected the idea of writing and performing their own music--an idea that died with Madonna, Tiffany, and I assert will end with Hannah Montana. There are new frontiers to pursue--new sounds to experience. And I have one for all those ladies out there who are looking for a new Fiona Apple/Sarah McClaghlan (sp?)/Joni Mitchell/Norah Jones. And her name is Sara Bareilles.

Her album, Little Voice, is filled with the songs she wrote for herself, and they are up-beat- brave. I must warn you, though. The males in our lives might protest this music saying, "This is a chick album filled with chick songs." Behold, I say unto you, Yea, yea! This IS a chick album filled with chick songs! It just so happens that a CHICK wrote and is singing those songs. And even more importantly, I AM a chick! Therefore, these songs are for ME!

What follows is a song-by-song review of the album from a highly biased source--me.

#1: "Love Song": This is the current single that people (women) are falling in love (no pun intended) with. It's a She-Ra Woman song, meaning that it's all about taking a stand and not letting the man in her life tell her what to do. Contrary to the suggestion of the title, the key lines are:
I'm not gonna write you a love song
'Cause you asked for it
'Cause you need one, you see
I'm not gonna write you a love song
'Cause you tell me it's
Make or breaking this
If you're on your way
I'm not gonna write you to stay
If all you have is leaving I'm gonna need a better
Reason to write you a love song today
It's upbeat and peppy. I'm talking Kirsten Dunst in Bring it On peppy. I love it.
#2: "Vegas": This is a song about going various places to chase dreams. I personally am not a big fan; I don't have a specific reason why--it just doesn't have that zing that would be desired by one who grew up in the N Sync years. But my mom loves this song. She says it's because it's the one Bareilles yells in the most. But she grew up in the Joni Mitchell age. A few key lines,
It's always just around the corner or you're
On your way to somewhere
That is bigger or better...
If you could only get there
#3: "Bottle it Up" This is a song that see-saws between wanting to fall in love and getting burned, or protecting yourself. The final outcome, of course is " Oh, only gonna get get what you give away,/So give love, love." I like this song--the pick-up is catchy. The only problem is it says a swear--the S-swear. But if you grew up in my house, that's nothing new. I'm not saying the S-swear is okay, I'm just saying I grew up in my house, I work at a high school, and my husband works in the car repair industry. The S-swear isn't anything I haven't heard.
#4: "One Sweet Love": This song is a mellow yet melodic (praise to alliteration!). It is a sweet love song, wondering if the "one sweet love" is behind her, wondering if she wasted time, wondering if she will ever find her way back. Like I said, it is more mellow than the others, but it still a pick-up and some passionate loudness in there. It's Sarah McLaughlin. I like this one, but it's not my favorite. Some key lines,
The time that I've taken
I pray is not wasted
Have I already tasted my piece of one sweet love?
Ready and waiting for a heart worth the breaking
But I'd settle for an honest mistake in the name of
One sweet love.
#5: "Come Round Soon": This has a very Fiona-ish feel to it. The song is about being left by someone, but yet, as in the age old tradition of Jewel in "You Were Meant for Me," believing that he will come back. I like this one because there are some serious lung-age used at key moments. If you're into that sort of thing... Some key lines, " Well I may seem naive if I cry as you leave/Like I'm just one more tortured heart"
#6: "Morningside" This song is a bit deceiving. The title lends itself to the assumption of a gentle song. But it's not. It's pretty up-beat and catchy. It's all about the frustration with not being able to let someone alone, no matter how much they keep leaving and them coming back again. I really identify with this song, and anyone who knows about the Bryce chapters in my life will know why--right when I would decide to move on, he would keep doing that stuff that I was attracted to--ON PURPOSE! And he wouldn't let me leave. That's what this song is about. A few key lines: " I could try to forget what you do when i let you get/Through to me but then you do it over again/I could rage like a fire/and you'd bring rain i desire/Til you get to me on my morningside." Great tune
#7: "Between the Lines" When I first engaged in the purchasing of this album, the title to this song left me wondering. The very first tape (cassette) I ever owned was Out of the Blue by Debbie (not Deborah) Gibson. There was a song there by the same title of this. I was wondering, was it the same song? No. Thank the music Gods it isn't! This song is a ballad. About what I am not 100% sure. I am thinking it's along the lines of a broken relationship? It's a good guess because that's pretty much what the rest of the album is. But this song is probably the most ballad-y of them all, with a gorgeous piano introduction. But still, with all of it's pianos and intros, I usually skip this song. Not gonna lie. I call it like it is.
#8: "Love on the Rocks" This song is a kind of hip "Benny and the Jets" feel. This is a song exactly what it sounds like. It's about a love that is kind of rocky--like when people say, "their marriage is on the rocks," yet it also refers to an alcoholic drink, which I know nothing about. All I know is what I have seen in movies, when people order a scotch on the rocks. So this love is rocky, but addicting, like alcohol. (Watch me analyze!) Over all, this is another I listen to only once in a while.
#9: "City" Are you ready for a change? Because this song is all about the city, hence the title. Not about love. Maybe on some level--love of her career, that is. It's about how "a girl could get lost" in the city amongst all those who are "whispering Hollywood's name." It's slow, it's soulful, and I like it.
#10: "Many the Miles" This song is kind of an up-beat "Where are you" type of song. "How far do I have to go to get to you? Many the Miles" reminds me of an old John Mayer favorite, "I'm tired of living a lone so hurry up and get here." In theme, not music. Anyway, this is one of the favorite on the CD, not because of its amazing lyrics, but the music is fun, kind of...is jazzy the right word? It's very syncopated, with that demanding feel. It's great.
#11: "Fairytale" This is a favorite of mine, from the very first line, "Cinderella on the bedroom floor/she got a crush on the guy at the liquor store/cause Mr. Charming don't come home anymore/ and she forgets why she came here." It's fun for all the princess reasons (my favorite being: "Tall blond lets out a cry of despair/ says would've cut it myself if I knew men could climb hair." HA!), but it is essentially another She-Ra song that declares, "I don't care for your fairytales! You're all so worried about the maidens, but you know she's only waiting for the next best thing." And the point is, she's not buying into the whole idea that you have to sit around waiting to be rescued so you can get married and be miserable. But in the meantime, it's upbeat and sarcastic, and ironic. Again, another favorite.
#12: "Gravity" This is the all time favorite on the album. If I were a dance teacher, I would force someone to do a lyrical dance to this song. It's slow, it's emotional, it's heartfelt, and extremely beautiful. This is one that I listen to over and over and sing as loud as I can and really FEEL it, and then again in the shower, when I fancy myself a singer. It's the most beautiful song on the album, music and lyrics. LOVE IT LOVE IT LOVE IT.

Well, folks. There you go. I now call all ye to repentance, and learn to listen to REAL music. Not necessarily this, but forsake your bubble gum sins and learn to embrace the truth.