Music Review: Sara Bareilles shines on 'Blessed Unrest'

Sara Bareilles, "The Blessed Unrest" (Epic Records)

There's a sweet way Sara Bareilles sings about her breakup on her new album. She's soft on the honeyed, piano pop gems that make up "The Blessed Unrest," her voice is solid and her lyrics are strong.

On "Hercules," Bareilles is tough, singing passionate lines like: "This is my darkest hour, a long road has led me out here, but I only need turn around to face the light, and decide flight or fight." She's ready to fight for love on the tender "1000 Times," where she proclaims ""cause I would die to make you mine, you bleed me dry each and every time." And on the upbeat "Little Black Dress," she's cute and bouncy, though she sings "they don't need to see me crying."

Bareilles knows how to craft a great song. She doesn't rely on hooks to grab you in; it's her lyrics - and that rich tone in her voice she lets out near the song's end. "Manhattan" is a slow classic and "Satellite Call" is layered with sounds and vocals, coming off like a Coldplay and OneRepublic mashup.

While Bareilles is getting over love on the 12-track set, she isn't down and out the entire time: "I Choose You," a beautiful song about falling in love, could make anyone's irritating day better. And on the lead single, "Brave," she's encouraging a friend to come out of the closet: "Say what you wanna say, and let the words fall out, honestly I want to see you be brave."

Well done.

Link:

www.sarabmusic.com