In the early ’70s, Mattel introduced Malibu Barbie, a blonde and
tanned version of the toy that came with several summery outfits. The
litigious Mattel lawyers might have a case against Colbie Caillat. It’s
as if the leggy SoCal-based singer-songwriter is the living embodiment
of Malibu Barbie. The CD’s photos of her frolicking on the beach only
confirm the comparison. The follow-up to 2007’s Coco, a MySpace
sensation turned platinum seller, Breakthrough returns Caillat
to the heartbreak that made her debut such as smash. “This is not the
way it should end/It’s the way it should begin,” she croons on “Begin
Again,” a tune so tepid it makes you wonder if she’s ever truly
experienced a breakup. At one point she’s falling in love (“You Got
Me”); the next she’s falling out of it (“Fearless”). It’s all rather
rote, but a gang of studio musicians and guest producers work hard to
employ pianos, horns and strings to make every tune sound lush and
gorgeous. It’s no wonder Caillat keeps her vocals in check throughout
the entire album. — Niesel
This article appears in Sep 2-8, 2009.
