Customer Reviews

Breakthrough (includes 5 Bonus Tracks)

5 star:		(23)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Probably the best way to evaluate this CD is to break it down. VOCALS -- What can we say? Her voice is distinctive, soooo smooth, calming, and her singing style enhances the message of each song. PRODUCTION AND ARRANGEMENTS -- sonically clean and nicely textured, although a bit "busy" on some tracks. On some of the more upbeat songs, it was almost like listening to something by the Beach Boys, circa 60's. Most of the songs are acoustic guitar driven, and that's a big plus for me. There's also some piano and one really n-i-c-e horn arrangement. Hopefully, we'll hear more brass backing her in the future. Her greatest strength on this CD is the ballads. On every ballad, she really excels. Plus, even as she sings the songs she's written that deal with heartbreak and longing, she does it in a positive way and graciously avoids using expletives. OVERALL IMPACT -- nice, very listenable, probably the song sequencing could have better spaced the ballads and upbeat songs. If I could, I would give it 4.8 stars and "Coco" 4.9 stars. Almost as stellar as her debut, very close and certainly well worth downloading and/or buying. She's a very promising singer/songwriter and deserves our support!

Some complaints that it's not like Coco... that is true. There don't seem to be as many radio-ready numbers, perhaps only one beyond "Fallin'". But, this is a great collection of songs, nonetheless. If you like Colbie, buy this CD. Her sincerity is once again in evidence.

And, if you're going to purchase this CD, get the Deluxe edition - the five additional songs are very, very good; they're not just throwaways.

colbie says that this album is about her growing up and picking herself up breaking through laziness to offer up enouragement to her fans. I was listening to this album while painting my son's room today. I couldn't really tell one song from the other, but that mattered little to me. That would be my only complaint other than at my life stage I am in a different season than Colbie (I am much older. No matter though...her writing is very nice..doesn't always connect, her arrangements are right on. This is a great second album from a beautiful voice. This album is very friendly to the ears and heart..no cursing..disrespecting...no hating on others here. That is important to me. Thanks for a sincere and clean album!!!

Not as good as her first CD but that one is hard to top. Still really good and relaxing, has tons of songs. I am listening to it a ton so it must be good :) I would recommend it if you enjoy Colbie Callait.

Colbie Caillat's second CD allowed her to do the unlikely - top her first-time-out CD. If you liked the first one, you'll love this one. The music and lyrics are creatively written, while her sound is unique, her songs are of a great variety. I opted for the extended CD with the five extra tracks, which allowed me to enjoy more of Colbie's talent. She'll be performing in my city later this month - no doubt I'll be there.

After seeing a TV interview with live songs from the CD, i had to go and pick one up. Top #1 right off the shelf, at least 6 #1 ones. I even purchased the COCO CD which is less heart felt to me. Still OK. Very smooth and excellent vocals. Her Dad did sound for one of fleetwood macs CD's and is her i think manager? Anyway this a classic, well done.

Colbie has an effervescence about her that just makes you happy. What a gift she has. Here is a beautiful album that is honest and pure, which is Colbie's stock in trade. HOW GREAT IS THAT?! There is both an inocence and maturity at work here, in this well crafted album. With all the noise in the world it's nice to find a refuge, and Colbie has given us another with Breakthrough.

Colbie continues writing & singing great songs! The first couple songs are ok but starting with, "Fallin' For You" from then, it's all up hill! The whole album's pretty consistent in terms of great content. If I had to pick then so far my 3 favorite songs are, "Runnin' Around", "It Stops Today" & "Fallin For You". Mos def worth purchasing especially the mp3 album version since you get it asap. Only thing I'm miffed about is that the version on iTunes has 2 additional songs. Not sure if iTunes still includes DRM on each & every song so I just went ahead & got it on here. I'm looking forward to her concert here in Dallas in October! She was great the last time she was here at the House of Blues!

I absolutely adore Colbie Caillat. Her debut album `Coco' has frequent rotation on my car stereo, and her sophomore album `Breakthrough' is nearly just as good. In fact, the only complaint I have here is that the album is a tad long. When you consider the style of music that Colbie crafts, it is best served in small doses. In those doses you can really appreciate her style and skill. When you drag the album out seventeen tracks then you run the risk of becoming rather repetitious. Some of the tracks tend to run together and this takes the albums appeal down a notch.

I like all of these songs, and I downright love quite a few of them, but I would have preened a tad.

I probably would have started with `Stay With Me' and `Breakin at the Cracks'. They are very sleepy numbers that are soon forgotten. They don't sound bad, but they lack any real spark. They can come across as almost lazy. Speaking of lazy, `Never Let You Go' and `Don't Hold Me Down' seem that way as well. There really isn't much thought there. They are generic and accessible and nicely crafted yet highly forgettable and uninteresting songs.

`Runnin Around' is bouncy and fun and very `surfer girl', which is why I love Colbie so much. It's far from the best on the album, but it has spunk and is totally engaging.

I love the slowed down vibe of `Out of My Mind', a song that sweetly captures Colbie's soul. Unlike tracks like `Stay With Me', this song has a sparkle in Colbie's delivery that makes it relatable and enticing. The same can be said for `What I Wanted to Say', even if it lacks a little bit of the emotional relevancy of `Out of My Mind'. The track couples the bouncy adorableness that defines Colbie (think a female Jack Johnson) with the emotional earnestness of her `singer/songwriter' side.

I really like the title track. It just bleeds with such honesty. Her vocals on the chorus are simply haunting. `Droplets', which she sings with Jason Reeves (check this guy out, he is really good) is another great example of her at her finest. The song doesn't necessarily JUMP out as special but it really captures why she is so likable.

Again, these are all good songs, but when you string together seventeen songs that sound similar, they may all be good but they start to run together and become undistinguishable and a tad monotonous.

But then there is the rest of the album, which consists of eight songs I just plain LOVE.

8) `Rainbow'. The song is swift and bouncy and so sunny in texture. I love the playful lyrics too. It just seems like the perfect `date'.

7) `I Won't'. The opening track is a great example of how vocal flaws can be so impressionable. The way she cracks during the chorus is simply stunning.

6) `Fallin For You'. The first single on the album was a great choice; definitive Colbie. This song just makes you want to lounge out on the beach with a margarita. The playful lyrics are sweet and genuine and relatable.

5) `Begin Again'. I just love the way she constructed the chorus here. It is just so engaging and happy, with a story that seems close to home.

I do love the fact that Colbie's music can be defined as `happy'.

4) `You Got Me'. We're reaching OMG I LOVE THIS territory. The bouncy texture to `You Got Me' is just so infectious. This is the type of upbeat track that you want to run through the streets singing!

3) `I Never Told You'. This is one of the two best `emotional' tracks on the album. The song just feels so earnest and so reflective and her vocals convey such emotional honesty. I love the message, because many relationships are very much like this one (I love you but I hate you and I hate that I miss you).

2) `It Stops Today'. This little ditty has grown and grown and grown in my eyes. It is fun and completely reflective. I love the lyrical content, and the way she weaved her effortless `flow' into the song. The catchy chorus is beautifully composed.

1) `Fearless'. This wasn't even a contest really. I will be the first to admit that the whole bridge part is a tad overdone with the "I believe in love" thing, but this song is so `felt' by Colbie that it gives me chills and nearly brings me to tears. The end of a relationship can be hard, especially when it takes you by surprise (and when the person ending things does so in a way that is unexpected and hurtful) and she makes that emotion evident on this track. It is so rich with heartfelt feeling and it is so relatable that I can't help but consider it her finest song to date.

So, in the end I totally recommend this one. I love her and I love her style and I can't wait for her to give me more. I'd like her to take more risks next time and maybe shorten her play list in order to hone her craft and deliver a very strong and unique set of tracks.

She has it in her.

If you liked bubbly and colbies previouus songs then you will love this CD! it is calming and relaxing but it is still fun to listen to while your in the car or getting ready to go out. if you buy this CD im sure you wont be dissapointed.