Amazon.com Customer Reviews
Addictingly Refreshing For Sure! - Review written on August 30, 2008
Rating: 5 out of 5
Even though I am sooo late in getting Coco, I am sooo glad to have it now. With my first listen and each listen since then, I have been loving the kaleidascope uniqueness found in each of these songs. Bubbly is the song that caught my attention first, hearing it on the radio, and then with hearing Realize, I knew I wanted to hear more of Colbie's magic. There isn't a bad song in the bunch. Colbie has such a fresh way of bringing these songs to life. Her vocals, lyrics, and acoustics are crisp clear, sentimentally alive and even sensual. Battle, Magic, Little Things, and Tailor Made, are wonderful gems, they show the depth of Colbie's talents. I think it is sooo neat that her Dad worked with her on these songs with her. It is very easy to hear the inspiration and right back at you gratitude, as these songs unfold over and over in my headphones. Sooo if you are reading this, and you don't have this cd yet, I say go ahead and order it, I am sure you will be caught up in Colbie's magic in no time at all. I always say Better Late than Never! I hope to hear more from Colbie! Take care, Nancy Holtz :)
Hot Coco - Review written on July 07, 2008
Rating: 5 out of 5
Colbie Caillat is not your average valley girl. OK, she did work as a receptionist in a tanning salon and she was no stranger to Malibu surf, but Colbie was not going to limit herself to the boundaries of Thousand Oaks, California. She knew the world had more to offer and she wanted to explore it. At 19 years old, Colbie began to write songs and learned to play guitar. She was really good at it.
Her Dad is a renowned recording engineer and record producer and an inspiring coach. As Colbie learned the basics, she got a chance to do some demo work for some of her Dad's clients. She also took voice lessons from Michelle Mindel and auditioned her compositions to her friends. With a little experience and refinement, it all started to make sense. Maybe Colbie really could make a living with her music.
It was time to switch gears. Instead of recording other people's songs, she started to record her own material. In between takes for demos, Colbie would casually sing her own tunes. A couple of times recording engineer Mikal Blue, on the other side of the glass, rolled on Colbie's warm-ups and an informal demo reel of her own was formed. Her Dad heard some of these takes and was taken! She really had a lot of potential!
Word of mouth can be a wonderful thing. Colbie's friends also loved her songs and helped her post them on-line. Her quiet MySpace Music site began to attract a lot of attention. First, dozens of people dropped by every day, then hundreds and then thousands. Do you think people like her music? The last time I looked, Colbie was approaching 30 million total hits! Her first CD, entitled 'Coco' will soon reach double platinum in sales. In her words 'it's a diary of my life and all my emotions put to music.' It's also really sweet listening.
Two songs already are memorable radio standards. Colbie's playful 'Bubbly' is a delightful expression of new love. If you realized how 'Realize' was written, you'd have to laugh. Colbie had the basic riff and needed to build up the song. She handed it over to her friend who actually wrote the core of the lyrics. Colbie did not realize until later that the song was addressed to her! I especially enjoy the syncopated groove of 'Feelings Show.' You are bound to find your own favorite. Colbie offers refreshing diversity in her fresh well recorded debut. 'Coco' has been high on the charts since it was first released a year ago. Her fame is deserved. You simply can't miss.
Not only is it a big seller, 'Coco' is also very important from another aspect. Colbie's CD reaffirms that the traditional music industry, ruled by large media corporations, no longer has a monopoly on America's music. Thanks to the open public access of the Internet, Colbie truly is a star created by her peers. We have been waiting for this liberating revolution for decades. Finally, new acts have a chance to emerge based on quality instead of promotion dollars.
Colbie has a busy year or two ahead. She'll be touring America this summer opening for John Mayer and also performing as a solo act. In September, she'll earn more frequent flyer miles visiting many cities in Europe followed by a four gig tour in Japan. In the studio, Taylor Swift is teaming up with Colbie to write and perform a song on Taylor's new album. Colbie is also readying her own second CD for release in the summer of 2009.
Can't wait? Check out Colbie's pure fun cover and video of the Little Mermaid classic 'Kiss the Girl' recently released by Disney. Colbie has also leaked a couple of versions of a fresh song called 'Droplets' to be released as part of her new CD next summer. It's a duet with her songwriting pal Jason Reeves that is so genuine it's bound to be embraced. You'll also hear Colbie on the best-selling Christmas song of 2007 called 'Mistletoe' available digitally on-line. Listen carefully to Jason Mraz' third album 'We Sing, We Laugh, We Steal Things' and you'll hear a familiar voice on track three called 'Lucky.' I'll know what I'll say when 'Coco II' is ready for pre-orders: "Will you count me in?'
Pleasant, Warm Debut From Caillat - Review written on June 23, 2008
Rating: 4 out of 5
1 customer found this review helpful, 1 did not.
Coco from Malibu, California-born Colbie Caillat is a sweet, sugary diversion that is enjoyable because it accomplishes a lot without trying too much or seeming to work too hard.
That's not a knock on the production. Everything is solid here, and while no new ground is broken, it does what it sets out to do - present Ms. Caillat as a sweet, romantic, lovable presence whose voice glides through one romantic song after the other.
Her hit single "Bubbly," "One Fine Wire," "Midnight Bottle," and "Oxygen," are enjoyable without the listener having to work to hard. This record is full of unadulterated sweet music that is relaxing and soothing. There is more than enough room for singers like Ms. Caillat, who don't beat us over the head with layers of meaning, or challenge us with their opinions. Coco is a welcome diversion for those of us who want something soft and sweet without any rough edges.
Hot coco - Review written on June 09, 2008
Rating: 4 out of 5
2 customers found this review helpful, 1 did not.
Colbie Caillat is another example of where I say this: when you have a name like that, you just HAVE to get into show business. Anyway, instead of reaping the success of her father Ken, Colbie started her career on her own and thus became another internet phenomenon. But unlike other no-talents that got their start via MySpace (*cough* Soulja Boy), she is actually worth the hype.
The first three tracks off her album are fast-forwardable (well, actually, only the VERSES to "One Fine Wire" lack feeling) but fortunately, things pick up with "Bubbly", which, as I'm sure everyone knows by now, is just that. From there you'll find other quality tracks like "Battle", "Realize" and the gentle "Capri" (no, it's not about the pants). Standouts continue with metaphorical tales like "Tailor Made" and "Midnight Bottle".
When it comes to vocals, Colbie is no Celine Dion, but that hardly matters because she's got talent and she knows how to use it. I don't see the blue-eyed soul that other people see, but whatever the case, if you haven't picked Coco up yet, there's still time because then you'll realize how bubbly she is (sorry; I couldn't resist).
Anthony Rupert
New favorite album - Review written on May 19, 2008
Rating: 4 out of 5
1 customer found this review helpful, 1 did not.
With MP3 players, it is very rare these days for me to listen to an entire album start to finish (I usually jump around so much). Colbie Caillat's new album, Coco, however has been in my car's CD player non-stop since I got it a few weeks back. My favorite track is "Magic" and I listen to it by far the most. "Bubbly" and "Capri" are also close seconds. Honestly though, all the tracks are great, and there isn't a single one I skip over - as so often happens with most CDs.
I would also recommend buying / downloading her other titles that are available but do not appear on this album "Mistletoe," "Dreams Collide," "Older" and "Circles."
The only possible negative I would give to this album is the background vocalist. He does not have a very good voice, and when his track is turned up too loud, he can really detract from Colbie's voice. She is best at her purest (ie - no background vocals) - like in Capri.
Lovely summer album - Review written on April 25, 2008
Rating: 5 out of 5
1 customer found this review not to be helpful.
For those of you looking for a summery, fun, and immensely catchy acoustical pop album,look no further. Colbie Caillat's "Coco" is the perfect choice for those sun-warmed days when you feel like dancing or skipping to something light and upbeat to match your carefree mood. I also found the songs very easy listening. Her style is reminiscent of Jack Johnson, but a bit more refined,and I couldn't help noticing hints of Michael Buble in her entrancing voice.
If you heard "Bubbly" and said, "Oh brother, this is shallow!" don't prejudge the rest of the album. Granted, some songs may seem a bit cliche, but most of the songs are well thought-out emotions that are put accurately and compellingly to music. I'd rank "Bubbly" about #5 on the album. My top favorites are "The Little Things", a semi-angry breakup song; "Magic", a tender love song that will melt your heart;"Realize", my favorite, it's an extremely well writen song about when you first confess your love to someone; and the bonus track, "Older", about getting older and all the confusing emotions age and time bring.
I would say this is the catchiest album I've ever heard, and thank you Colbie for not leaving it at that! It's a simple equation: catchy tunes + heartfelt lyrics + summer = an unforgetable album. My friends, don't miss out!
An old guy's take on Coco - Review written on April 12, 2008
Rating: 5 out of 5
1 customer found this review not to be helpful.
I'm 64 years old, so I probably shouldn't LIKE this music, but I do. I LOVE it, in fact. I mean I know Colby is a beautiful young girl and all, but I am NOT a dirty old man. I just like the upbeat, "Bubbly" quality of this music. I love that particular tune from the first time I heard it on the radio. It reminded me of the first time I heard Britney Spears in the aisle of BestBuy some years back, when her first CD came out. Loved that happy, bubble-gum sound - beFORE she broke big on the pop charts. Hopefully, Colby will conduct herself a little better. She is a very talented and gifted performer and writer; there's not a bad track on this record. Any time I want a psychic boost, I will put on her Coco CD. (And maybe Britney's first CD too.) Rock on, Colby. - Tim Bazzett