Little Broken Hearts

Norah Jones | Format: MP3 Music

Product Details

• Original Release Date: April 27, 2012
• Release Date: April 27, 2012
• Label: Blue Note Records
• Copyright: (C) 2012 Blue Note Records
• Total Length: 44:51
• Genres:
  • Pop
• ASIN: B007T2XC7A
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (287 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #514 Paid in MP3 Albums (See Top 100 Paid in MP3 Albums)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

47 of 50 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Not "Rome II", but doesn't need to be (CD review) May 3, 2012

By A customer

Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase

For fans wanting more from last year's Rome, which was an interesting soundtrack concept album for a fictitious 1970's-era Italian movie (honest!), by Danger Mouse, Daniele Luppi, and Norah Jones, this ain't it. There are a few stylistic teases, and the collaboration partially returns with Danger Mouse's co-writing. But "Broken Hearts" comes across first and foremost as a Norah Jones album, and you get the sense she has now had her break out debut, played the field while sowing her musical oats, and is settling into a style she wants to define rather than the other way around.

This is a solid atmospheric effort that has grown on me. It is not straight up chill by any means, but many of the tracks can put you in a mellow groove as long as you listen to the music more than the lyrics (if "Broken Hearts" is a soundtrack about anything, it is for the story of a relationship's very bad end). Overall has a very vintage sound, but not an outdated one. I wish I had bought it on a LP as opposed to CD, I sometimes got the feeling it may have been mixed more with vinyl in mind.

Other reviewers may be giving the album knocks for not having super stand out tracks, and I agree, I don't see a lot of big hits coming off of this. But I'd still have to say this is her most complete package to date, even though many of the songs are short and you can listen through the entire CD rather quickly. "Out on the Road" and "She's 22" are the only songs I think I'll skip entirely, but it's interesting to wonder what double meaning might exist when she sings on one "I'm holding on to a thing that's wrong...but you like my songs and made me happy". She doesn't sound too happy on "Miriam", a beautifully melodic but lyrically vicious little song that will make you question whether that is a tear drop or a drop of blood on the front cover.

Any detractions based on a comparison to "Rome" would be unfair for a couple of reasons. One, although many may have wanted a "Rome II" with more Norah on it (I know I did), I don't think now that is what she set off to do despite me being fooled by the Italian movie inspired cover and Danger Mouse co-credits. But secondly, "Rome" was really more Luppi's baby than anyone elses. Until Norah decides to pair with him in the future (hint hint), probably the closest we will get would be the more funky, less chill instrumental version in An Italian Story (US Release). She does throw in enough film-noir inspired riffs here and there, and "Take it Back" sounds very similar to Rome's "Black" in parts (her favorite song from that album).

Musicianship is solid, her voice is great as always, and any production being done is for style and not a cover up ("Say Goodbye" for example is reminiscent of The Mating Game). While I don't think "Broken Hearts" will be a breakup album for her current fans, the lyrics do make it sound like she is ready to move on from some people she is no longer interested in trying to please.

In the end I think there is enough here for her traditional audience to like while she attempts to build a new one. Interestingly, or just coincidence, is that she released the album on May 1st (May-Day). A jilted lover's desperate last call for help, or a celebration of the spring festival of new beginings?

In eco-friendly packaging, contains a fold out poster with a picture of the album cover on one side and the lyrics on the other.

47 of 57 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Different Style - Change is hard for some folks May 1, 2012

By davidR

Format:Audio CD

I thought it was a good album and enjoyed most of her tracks. Something different Norah chose to do and I tip my hat to her. Has a vintage sound to it especially on her vocals and the overall ambiance of the record. I think if you are a Norah Jones fan and don't restrain Artists to a limited little box you will enjoy it as well. Grows on you. Give it a chance..

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars FINALLY! The album I have been waitng for from this beautiful soul. September 26, 2012

By Georgio Alfani

Format:Audio CD

Norah Jones new album is an utter masterpiece to me. It is what "Rubber Soul" was to the Beatles; a complete change up in musical direction for the better. I've always respected Norah for her talent and unique voice but I could never find myself being deeply devoted to her albums until I heard this masterpiece. While I enjoyed her first two albums, the farthest I could ever go as far as listening to them is to just check her out occasionally. This is due to the slow tempo of her early work. In other words, I can't see myself listening to Norah Jones on my way to work or as i go on my daily jog because her music was too slow for me. The only time i could listen to her is when I was reading my morning paper and having my coffee in the morning. Before this album came out I always said to myself, "One day this girl has to make an album that rocks." Finally! It has come.

I came about hearing this new material when I was at the the Outside Lands Festival in San Francisco 2012. I went to see Norah perform telling myself, "I'll listen to 4 songs and then go to another show because I know she tends to be a little mellow." Mind you, Metallica and Stevie Wonder were also performing and they were more of the energy I was looking for but when I went to see Norah...SHE COMPLETELY ROCKED THE HOUSE!!!

First she started off her show with the classics from her first two albums then she declared, "We're going to perform some songs from my new album...produced by Danger Mouse." I thought to myself, "Danger Mouse? That guy is an amazing producer and one of the last good hip-hop artist around (contemporary hip-hop is a disgrace to music and poetry). Loved his album with MF DOOM. Can it be? Is Norah going to rock the house?" She opened up the new set with "Say Good Bye" and I was completely rocked out of this world. I was so moved by the music that I wrote down the lyrics to "Broken Little Hearts" and told myself I had to check this new album out.

I told everybody how amazed I was with Norah's new stuff and that it sounded like I was listening to The Doors but with Norah's voice. I was completely breath taken by her new stuff. When I went online to check out the new album I purchased it immediately. She finally did it. She made an album for my kind of crowd. I always respected Norah for her voice but like I said I couldn't get into her like I wanted to because I needed something with more rhythm and edge. I love jazz but I'm not into country so I couldn't get into the albums when she delved into the country side of things but "Broken Little Hearts" is revolutionary in my eyes. It shows her range as an artist and has made me revisit her earlier work with more appreciation. It an industry that is plagued by hacks like Lil' Wayne and Britney Spears "Little Broken Hearts" is a breathe of fresh air and I love it. It sounds so surreal and as stated before reminds me of the Doors but with a female spin on things.

My favorite songs are "Say Goodbye, Happy Pills, After the fall, Broken Little Hearts, All a Dream, and Miriam."

Thank you Norah. Thank you for making an album for me and expanding your horizons...I look forward to your next album. You really are a true artist in the spirit of the Beatles, Stevie Wonder, Sade, Michael Jackson etc. etc.

I also recommend her album "Featuring" as well