Like the title of her second album suggests, Sara Bareilles’s “Kaleidoscope Heart” is full of color, vibrancy and life. When asked about the much-anticipated follow-up to 2007’s “Little Voice”, Sara said that she spent her entire life coming up with and fine-tuning the songs for that album– she couldn’t just magically produce another studio release overnight. Indeed, few artists can. Fewer still create a sophomore album that shines and impresses as much as “Kaleidoscope Heart” does. From the gorgeous a cappella intro to the first chords on the piano filled with vigor and buoyancy, Sara’s songwriting is overflowing with brilliance.
“Uncharted” is the album’s first complete song (after the elegant vocal intro). It’s passionate and catchy and delivers on one tried and true method of songwriting: start with a piano and build from there. It doesn’t have to be unnecessarily complex; most of Sara’s songs follow a familiar pattern of verse, chorus and bridge, but good music doesn’t need frills. Sara succeeds at the basics, for example: writing a slow-tempo song with energy. This should be basic, but so many musicians fall flat with this. Songs that are supposed to be pretty and beautiful are dull, boring and lifeless. You know which ones I’m talking about. You press “skip” on the CD player when they come on because you want to hear something upbeat. On the other hand, Sara’s slow-tempo songs are brimming with drive and vitality. Sara nailed this on her first album and continues the tradition with “Hold My Heart”, “The Light” and “Breathe Again”.
Sara writes melodies and lyrics that are instantly enjoyable while at the same time offer enough depth and diversity to merit multiple listens. I can imagine Sara performing this album acoustically and solo – just her and a grand piano – that would be an incredible concert. I can’t say that about some other albums or bands, because many hide behind sketchy instrumentation that hides the melody or vocals more than it highlights them. Sara’s vocals are magnificent. I think Sara is one of the finest singers around; her range and pitch is phenomenal. Even though her vocals are not showcased with quite the same prominence as on her debut album, they are still outstanding. Perhaps she has less to prove on her second album. Or maybe she has more to prove now, to show her staying power. Regardless, she has succeeded in creating an album that exhibits the maturity and adeptness of her craft. “Kaleidoscope Heart” is rich with color and emotion.
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