37. Rabbits on the Run

Rabbits on the Run by Vanessa Carlton (Razor & Tie Records) 2011

Cover detail retrieved from http://www.allmusic.com/album/rabbits-on-the-run-mw0002118729

Genre

Music: Pop Music

Review

Vanessa Carlton's fourth album comes ten years after her debut in 2011.  The 31 year old sounds much older than on her previous efforts.  The music is spare and subtle.  For instance, on "I Don't Wanna Be a Bride" she sings, "I don't wanna wear white / We both know it's too late for that."  A sly joke that only adults are likely to catch.  With artists like Ke$ha, Katy Perry, and Lady Gaga in the spotlight, this reference to sex feels nearly puritanical and cryptic.  Something that some parents might welcome.

Opinion

In an era of over the top pop songs and even more over the top artists, Carlton's clear vocal and inconspicuous production places emphasis on melody, vocals, lyrics, and piano.  Compared to the vocoder vocals over frenetic club beats and insistently buzzy synthesizer fills of many artists, Carlton's take on classic singer songwriter tropes (think Carol King or, better still, Jewel) might feel like a bit of fresh air. 

Ideas

The album might inspire some children to take up piano.  You could use the album to set a calm atmosphere for other activities, such as crafts projects (should you deem a calm atmosphere appropriate, sometimes crafts are fun because they are frenetic).