Maps of Music
The Blessed Unrest (2013)
Where the lyrics of The Blessed Unrest take you, and where it was really made.
Sara Bareilles first revealed the record in February 2013 with a YouTube video saying she was making a record, then showed the sessions in a video series before release.
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Electric Lady Studios, New York City (2013)
Recording site Electric Lady Studios — Electric Lady Studios was used to record the album's tracks in New York City. The album was recorded in New York and Los Angeles in early 2013. Google Maps · Apple Maps
How to get there: See the map for directions.
Album story
Overview
- The Blessed Unrest is the fourth studio album by American singer-songwriter Sara Bareilles
- Released July 16, 2013 through Epic Records
- Lead single Brave was released digitally on April 23, 2013
- Debuted at number two on the US Billboard 200
- Sold 68,000 copies in its first week in the United States
Background
- On February 26, 2013, Bareilles posted a YouTube video saying she was making a record
- A video series of six 2-minute installments followed, showing her recording the album
- On July 9, a week before release, the album was made available for free streaming on iTunes
- Songs reflect her experiences, such as going through a break-up
Recording
- Recorded in New York City and Los Angeles in early 2013
- Co-producers John O'Mahony and Kurt Uenala
- Electric Lady Studios was used to record the tracks in New York City
Sources: en.wikipedia.org · pt.wikipedia.org
Tracklist
| 1 | Brave | 3:41 |
| 2 | Chasing the Sun | 4:29 |
| 3 | Hercules | 4:22 |
| 4 | Manhattan | 4:39 |
| 5 | Satellite Call | 4:51 |
| 6 | Little Black Dress | 3:32 |
| 7 | Cassiopeia | 3:33 |
| 8 | 1000 Times | 4:30 |
| 9 | I Choose You | 3:39 |
| 10 | Eden | 4:05 |
| 11 | Islands | 4:21 |
| 12 | December | 5:01 |
Sources: musicbrainz.org
Artist
Early life
- Born December 7, 1979 in Eureka, California.
- Studied communication studies at UCLA and sang in the co-ed a cappella group Awaken a Cappella.
- Taught herself several instruments, including piano.
Career
- Self-published the debut album Careful Confessions in 2004, then signed with Epic Records in 2005.
- Breakthrough album Little Voice (2007); lead single "Love Song" peaked at No. 4 on the Billboard Hot 100.
- Kaleidoscope Heart (2010) debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200; The Blessed Unrest (2013) earned a Grammy nomination for Album of the Year.
- Composed music and lyrics for the Broadway musical Waitress (2015), earning Tony and Grammy nominations.
- Known for television work, including Mary Magdalene in NBC's Jesus Christ Superstar Live in Concert (2018) and the lead role in Girls5eva.
- Won two Grammy Awards, and was nominated for several Primetime Emmy and Tony Awards.
Sources: en.wikipedia.org
Reception
At release
- AbsolutePunk: Craig Manning praised the nuanced arrangements that lift the songs beyond traditional singer/songwriter fare
- AllMusic: Stephen Thomas Erlewine described the mood as warm and inviting
- Billboard: Jason Lipshutz said the album grew out of unrest, which Bareilles embraced to grow as an artist
- USA Today: Elysa Gardner called it Bareilles' most mature and satisfying album to date
- Entertainment Weekly: described it as a lovely collection of confessional sketches
- Rolling Stone: Stacey Anderson wrote that the songs feel groomed for rom-com soundtracks
- The New York Times: Jon Caramanica said Bareilles was hiding behind styles that were not her own
- PopMatters: Brett Faulkner called it a well conceived effort, but not sans flaws
Reappraisal
- Metacritic: Metascore of 68 based on seven reviews, generally positive
- Rolling Stone: Anderson said the album hinted at more adventurous paths left unexplored and called Bareilles just too diplomatic
Records
- Debuted at number two on the US Billboard 200 with 68,000 copies in its first week
- Fourth consecutive US top-ten album for Bareilles
- Ranked number 134 on the Billboard 200 year-end chart for 2013
- RIAA gold certification on June 2, 2016, for over 500,000 units in the United States
- Nominated for Album of the Year at the 56th Annual Grammy Awards
Sources: en.wikipedia.org · es.wikipedia.org
Trivia
- The solo acoustic Brave Enough Tour was announced on March 27 as an 18-city US tour, and its tickets sold out in three minutes.
- Brave re-entered the Hot 100 after widespread comparisons to Katy Perry's Roar and eventually reached number 23.
- The second single I Choose You was announced on January 17, 2014 through Bareilles's Twitter account.
- Entertainment Weekly said Bareilles was channeling Fiona Apple and Florence Welch.
- The album's year-end ranking on the 2013 Billboard 200 was number 134.
Sources: en.wikipedia.org · es.wikipedia.org
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