Relational frustrations are the rule, and a few of those cuts prove cautionary by suggesting what created the strife. Among the culprits are codependency (“Morningside”), inadequate communication (“Between the Lines”) and a man’s restless quest for fame and fortune (“Vegas”). On “Love on the Rocks” Bareilles’ romantic post-mortem includes, “You love the chase but hate me for the runaround/And we both just tired of the whole thing.” There are lessons here for couples in similar straits. Meanwhile, “Love Song” features a disenchanted woman looking for excuses to stay in a fizzling relationship (“Babe, I’ll walk the seven seas when I believe that there’s a reason to write you a love song today”). One of the few truly upbeat tracks finds Bareilles imagining a day when she will spend time with her “One Sweet Love.”
“Bottle It Up” tells a lover, “You’re s— out of your luck.” Another s-word appears on “Come Around Soon,” which also speaks of drinking too much, needing cigarettes and writing off angels as superfluous.
Sara Bareilles’ career skyrocketed after “Love Song” was offered as a free iTunes single last summer. Individual downloads are definitely the way to go. That way, teens can enjoy her Norah Jones-style pop sound without having to endure Little Voice‘s bigger problems.
