So, after Monday's semi-disappointing post, figured I'd post about someone I actually knew I liked: Sara Bareilles (which, kinda looks like someone left the 'G' out of Bear Grylls...). In one word, TALENTED (notice I used a word other than "awesome"). In two words, Incredibly Talented.... In three words, I'd say "She's incredibly talented"... just 'cause pronouns are important ;)
Here's the PLAYLIST
So, I actually started this back in 2011 after we kinda saw her in concert. I say "kinda" because she was actually the warm-up act for a group I'd never heard of, "Sugarland." Spare me the gasps (What!? You've never heard of them?!), they're country and I don't do country. And they weren't even all that sugary... Also, as a side note, I've asked people who "know" Sugarland what they sing and they don't even really remember! (Guess they're more like a sugar-coma... he he... yeah, never mind)...
At any rate, she's great. You've undoubtedly heard "Love Song" and "King of Anything." If you live in UT like me, which has nothing but top 40's radio stations, then you may have actually heard them too much. If you're unlike me (I don't have TV) you've probably seen her judge on the Sing Off. But if you're like the average music listener, you probably haven't sat down to listen to the rest of her stuff. That's where I come in!
After listening to all of her albums (3 for now but another out in a month or so?) here's my take: She's great. I don't know if I'd actually rate her as awesome, though. Her songs are really interesting and I don't mean the kind of "interesting" when you can't find a nice word to describe your friends attempts at "cooking," I mean the kind where there is a ton of stuff going on musically in her songs and some elements work and some don't.
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| Kinda like this. Sockapella... just doesn't fit. |
For instance, her general sound is on the lighter, softer, poppy side of things; she sings about romance and relationships, feelings of vulnerability and a range of other emotions; basically what might otherwise be labelled as "chick music." THEN, in the middle of a bubble-gum song or a nice, little ballad, when you least expect it, she'll drops some seriously surprising language; almost as an appeal or plea to be taken seriously; proof that she's a grown up and more mature than your average T. Swizzle song... just doesn't really fit.
Then there are other elements I'm still on the fence about; her vocals being the main thing. The music and arrangements behind her are fabulously layered and mixed and catchy as all get out. And like I said before, she is also no slouch. She's amazingly talented. She can play and CRAP she can sing. On record and live. But I think what rubs me wrong on her albums is her vocal arrangements. She's her own backing vocals and her college ACapella roots really show. It's almost like accompanied A Capella. The two weren't really meant to be together. And it's not on all her songs. Just some. And that probably wouldn't be a problem for some but myself not really liking A Capella (at all)... I just can't unhear it, ya know?
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| She really knows how to BELT |
The way I thought to explain it is it's kind of like when you go to a party and they've got pizza but you got there a little late so there's not enough plain pepperoni left and no one wants to be the jerk to take the last piece. There are other pizzas there but it's a weird one where half is sausage, pepperoni and anchovies and the other half is some vegan monstrosity that shouldn't actually qualify as pizza... There are parts that would be full on AWESOME without the A Capella anchovies (some people like 'em but let's face it, they're weird) and there are other parts that are just weird combinations that should just never...be...
But don't let me spoil it for you. One man's anchovies are another man's deep dish. (But like I said, they're weird). Give the rest of her stuff a listen. Because although I wouldn't rate her as awesome, she IS amazing. If you do listen to all of "Little Voice" be advised there's swearing in Come Round (several words) & Bottle It Up (one). Minimal or none on Kalidescope Heart. I put my favorites on the playlist; though I'm still on the fence about Morning Side. Also, I think the version of Gravity from Careful Confessions is better than the newer one on Little Voice. The backing band really helps the song build. Tomorrow I'll post a re-creation of her show if I can find the set list I wrote on the back of one of my wife's Real Simple Magazines.
Comment! Pass it on! Feel free to tell me how much you love A Capella and let me know how much I'm missing out on a good thing. Share your favorite song. Tell ya what, I'll even throw this out there, if you can show me an A Capella group that has consistently amazing songs (we're talking Pitch Perfect closing numbers) not just one or two, I'll eat an anchovy and post the video on here. Enjoy!!
PS- A Capella Anchovy would make an awesome band name.
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