Little Broken Hearts
Little Broken Hearts Reviews
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 Overall has a very vintage sound, but not an outdated one.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.. this is my Little Broken Hearts reviews
Little Broken Hearts Specs
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- Price for all three: $29.86
- Buy the selected items together
- This item: Little Broken Hearts ~ Norah Jones Audio CD $11.88
- The Fall ~ Norah Jones Audio CD $8.99
- Come Away with Me ~ Norah Jones Audio CD $8.99
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