I'm a fan of Corinne Bailey Rae's 2006 self-titled debut album, so I picked this CD up without hearing it, based on the strength of that previous release. I wouldn't exactly call this a sophomore slump, but this album isn't as strong as the first. The first had more of a neo-soul flavor throughout and this album sometimes strays from that formula. There a lot of musicians on hand; the arrangements are bigger than I would have liked. Some of the music was recorded after the 2008 death of Bailey Rae's husband, so the music can get understandably bleak at times. The critics liked it: it got a score of 78 from metacritic. Still, I love Bailey Rae's voice and I can tell her songwriting is maturing, so I'm sure I'll pick up her next release as soon as it drops.
Peak on the US Billboard Top 200 chart: #7
Tracks: I like Are You Here, Feels Like The First Time, and the title track. I usually skip Love's On Its Way and Paper Dolls.
Personal Memory Associated with this CD: None
Previously revisited for the blog:
Corinne Bailey Rae (2006)
I had both of her albums, but I loaned them to someone and haven't seen them since. Definitely 2 I should replace. "The Sea" was downright morbid in comparison to CBR's debut, but still enjoyable as you say. :)
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