Album: Coco / Artist: Colbie Caillat / 12 tracks: 43:33 / On The Streets Now / Universal Republic Records
Colbie Caillat’s CD Coco is a beautiful booklet of word pictures showcasing the young artist’s laid-back style of pop music, and obvious vocal talents. Although Jason Reeves and Jaco Caraco appear on electric guitar and Mikal Blue plays synthesizer on one of the songs (“Bubbly”), Coco, is for the most part an organic pop album.
The
twenty-two year old Californian and her co-writers, Blue and Reeves’ lyrics
clearly demonstrate a poet’s touch. The trio creates tunes that rely less on
hooks, and more on contagious melodies to carry their songs. Songs such as the
opening track, “Oxygen,” and “Bubbly,” invite the listener to sing along with
the tune.
Although Caillat has a sound that is distinct and her own, her music is in the vogue of artists such as Carly Simon, Shawn Colvin, Jack Johnson and James Taylor. The music is stripped down and relies on excellence in songwriting, musicianship and vocal performance instead of tricks, gimmicks and programmed beats.
“Bubbly,” the fourth track from Coco, originally posted on Caillat’s myspace site generated thousands of hits per day. The song “Bubbly,” evokes a warm glow inside. The words are simple, the melody easygoing and Reeves’ acoustic guitar accompaniment sets a tempo that enables the listener to sing along. For four consecutive months Caillat was the number one artist on myspace, garnering in excess of ten million plays. As a result of her internet notoriety, Caillat was courted by numerous record labels, eventually signing with Universal Republic Records. Now that is a label with a sharp A&R person!
Thematically the CD Coco explores subjects such as, feeling on top of the world (“Bubbly”), losing oneself in depression, with some not so desirable solutions (“Midnight Bottle”), and the love letter that is “Realize.” Caillat’s missives are never lost in abstract imagery, nor are they hard edged to the point of invoking cynical or negative emotions. The gifted singer/songwriter simply is being vulnerable and sharing her thoughts, while setting them to simple but pretty melodies.
The CD picks up the pace with “Feelings Show,” which possesses very subtle hints of an R&B rhythm. “Tailor Made,” has a more up-tempo, body swaying rhythm. Although her vocals are always great, “Tailor Made” is the one song on the album in which the real gems are provided by Jason Reeves’ electric guitar chords and Mikal Blue’s doubling on bass and acoustic guitar.
“Tied Down,” has a cool syncopated beat that may be the most musically creative song on the CD. Jason Reeves (ukulele), Mikal Blue’s B-3 organ, Luis Conte’s percussion and Cecil “Censi” Francis’ steel drumming are brought in to add to the other instrumentals. This is a song would could envision Jack Johnson spinning or listening to on his MP3 player.
There are twelve songs on Colbie Caillat’s CD Coco, and each of them could easily be a hit. There is not one wasted track or hint of imperfection with either the singer or the musicians that accompany her on this splendid album.
Reviewed by Joe Montague for Riveting Riffs (www.rivetingriffs.com)
Reviewed September 2007
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