Bedingfield's second, a super success

If there were an award for the most over-played song of last year it would surely go to “Unwritten” by Natasha Bedingfield. The fresh songwriter had a lot riding on her second album but one thing is for sure, she has not disappointed anyone. Her sophomore album, Pocketful of Sunshine continues with the up-beat, sing-a-long melodies that America has loved.

As a whole, the album is definitely better than her last, however there are some songs I could do without. The most popular hit, “Love Like This featuring Sean Kingston” was released early to give listeners a taste of what the album would be like. The song is by far the best on this album and the collaboration is nothing less than amazing. The album has an aura of freshness and creativity that many songwriters today seem to be lacking.

“Pirate Bones” and “Backyard” are too much like the other tracks. Despite the lyrics, they just do not have the flair that the other songs have. The album would have received an A if it were not for these outliers.

With songs about “apple bottom jeans and boots with the fur” by Flo rida Bedingfield’s speak to a slightly more mature audience. After I listened to the first track, “Put Your Arms Around Me” I looked outside expecting to see a bright sunshine, but was disillusioned to find that the slush was still melting and there was nothing in the sky but clouds.

The title track, “Pocketful of Sunshine” has a slightly soulful tone that is definitely more mature than tracks on Bedingfield’s previous album. The premises of her songs would inspire even the dreariest of souls. “Pocketful of Sunshine” speaks of fighting against the pessimists and rising above the doubts of others. When Bedingfield sings “Do what you want but you’re never going to break me, sticks and stones are never going to shake me, no,” you actually believe it.

How can you listen to “A face without freckles is like a sky without the stars” in the song, “Freckles” and not feel the least bit happy? The songwriting is truly amazing in this sophomore effort. “Soulmate” is a great song and will have you pressing the repeat button the first time you hear it.

The album also comes with acoustic versions of “Unwritten” and “Love like This” that are great. I cannot tell you how nice it was to listen to a real musician for a while. Sure, Lil Mama and Soulja Boy are fun to listen to, but as far as being real musicians I am not so sure.

Bedingfield has the perfect combination of pop melodies that everyone will love, and soulful ballads. There is no doubt that it takes a certain listener to really enjoy her newest album, however, I can say that I was hooked at the first song.

Guys may not go crazy over her tracks but girls will certainly fall in love with them. Bedingfield possesses an unexplainable aura of light-heartedness that was very apparent in this album.

Previously, Bedingfield had mostly ballad-like songs with little backround accompaniment. However, this album has more instruments that add to the overall effect. Even if you have been living under a rock for the last couple of years and have not heard of Natasha Bedingfield, this one is a sure-fire hit. The album speaks to a variety of issues that listeners can identify with. The lyric and songwriting illustrates that of a fifth or sixth album, not the second.