In 2008 popster Natasha Bedingfield dropped a finely constructed, hook-filled effort in POCKETFUL OF SUNSHINE. Rootsy and groove-oriented, but with plenty of contemporary R&B studio polish (a combo especially evident on the reggae-inflected standout "Love Like This," featuring Sean Kingston), POCKETFUL manages to be both laid-back and glamorous at once.

Bedingfield is equally adept at breezy, catchy dance-pop (the title track) as she is at heart-tugging love ballads ("Soulmate"). Sharp productions, head-nodding beats, singalong choruses, and Bedingfield's smooth, appealing vocals make POCKETFUL go down easy, and will keep fans coming back to these tracks again and again.

Personnel: Natasha Bedingfield (vocals, background vocals); Toby Gad (various instruments, programming); J.R. Rotem, Dernst "D.Mile" Emile, Greg Kurstin, Rodney "Darkchild" Jerkins (various instruments); Wendy Melvoin, Nick Lashley (guitar); Mike Elizondo (guitars, keyboards, bass guitar, programming); John Shanks (guitars, keyboards, bass guitar, background vocals); Mads Hauge (guitars); Carla Campbell, Mark Robertson, Julie Gigante, Natalie Leggett, Neel Hammond (violin); Hanoh, Keith Greene (viola); Vanessa Freebirn, Sebastian Toettcher, Victor Lawrence (cello); Richard Altenbach (strings); Wayne Wilkins (keyboard, keyboards, programming, drum programming, background vocals); Danja (keyboard); Andrew Frampton (keyboards, programming, background vocals); Charlie Judge (keyboards); Michael Valerio (bass guitar); Trevor Lawrence (drums, cymbals); Jeff Rothschild (drums, programming); Ravaughn Brown, Stee Kipner, Danielle Brisebois, Rico Love, Meleni Smith (background vocals).

Additional personnel: Sean Kingston.

Rolling Stone (p.80) - 3 stars out of 5 -- "[With] some sad-eyed ballads and solid R&B -- 'Piece of Your Heart' is a dark, brassy thing..."
Blender (Magazine) (pp.96-97) - 3.5 out of 5 stars -- "[With] uniformly strong pop and R&B songcraft -- highlighted by the Sean Kingston collaboration 'Love Like This'..."

Average Rating: (4 out of 5 stars) 

 Well rounded sophmore showing
2 Words - Good Show! This recording is a littler different from her debut & it should be but it's still quite familiar in that it's ecclectic compliation makes this too a collection of wordsmith artistry, combined with lilting melodies backed by hot musical tracks that one cant wait to share. Of course there are the tunes that speak to the soul & strike a cord that resonates on almost every life issue but the question is "How does she do it without sounding too bitter or too bubbly?" I mean there are CD's that drop & throughout the whole experience you know that artist was ticked off & there are others that the artist is just sooooo in love. In comparision Natasha Bedingfield's music offers a pleasant balance between the joy of new love, longing for the perfect love, sadness of a lost love & the inspiration of complete self love. Musically, she takes you to other places in the world & beyond. Some as close to as your Backyard or as far away as the stars. From the Pacific west to Caribbean Blue. Making music can be compared to making a sandwich, it's the extras you put in it that make it more than just 'bread & stuff'. I compare this artist's musical offerings to your corner Deli -It's got a little something for everyone!
Submitted by Cayenne142 (INDY USA)
Was This Review Helpful? Yes No