One of the hardest things to do in the music industry is to live up to the hype of devoted fans, and "Blessed Unrest" finds Sara Bareilles is up for the challenge. Lead single "Brave" ropes in skeptics and dispels any doubt that Bareilles has lost her poppy touch. She soon follows up with a reflection on starting life in a new city on "Little Voice"-reminiscent track "Chasing the Sun."
"Hercules" deviates from the classic Sara B. style put forth in the first two tracks, and exercises some background vocal and rhythm experimentation. The real risks she takes on this album, though, come with slow and sad "Satellite Call," which can really hit or miss depending on a person's mood, and overtly synthy "Eden." "Eden" is definitely outside of Bareilles' comfort zone, but she pulls off the '80s feel with graceful lyricism and well-played build ups.
The true triumph comes with the elegant and heart wrenching ballad "Manhattan." Lamenting the end of a relationship that was intimately tied with the most glamorous of all boroughs reminds listeners that Bareilles is the best at catharsis. The bare emotion put forth in the song is what will make this number a sure radio hit. Essentially, it's what would happen if Christina Perri was any good.
There's a little something for everyone on the album, from depressingly sad to upbeat and inspiring. Bonus track "I Wanna Be Like Me" brings back the can-do attitude of "Brave" for those who felt a little distressed at the slightly downward tone of the rest of the album. Lovey dovey "1000 Times" and "I Choose You" bring back the hopes for love that were previously dashed in Manhattan, and "Islands" brings an incredible mix of originality to Bareilles' musical style while staying almost hauntingly true to the sound she's been delivering since her first mainstream CD. In the end, the tunes are all pleasing and interesting to the ear, but it's the lyrics that will keep people around for a second listen.
It's rare for such straightforward lyrics to be so poignant. Reviews of this album call Bareilles' songwriting "literate" as if that's some kind of rarity, and sometimes it feels like it is. Lines from songs of declared lyrical geniuses like Bon Iver are much more poetic and inaccessible than the plain faced distress of Bareilles on a track like Manhattan where she declares "You can have Manhattan / Cause I can't have you."
Bareilles is a songwriter for the people, and that's why she's so loyally loved. It's also why this album is killer.
Grade: A
Download: "Islands"
Sounds Best When: Walking leisurely in NYC