Colbie Caillat's "Coco" - Best Stocking Stuffer for 2007

Looking for a good stocking stuffer this year? I suggest the new album "Coco" by Colbie Caillat. Her sweet, soulful voice is sure to delight anyone on your list.

I've listened to the album over and over and I can't get enough of it. With most albums, there are at least a couple of songs that I generally skip over. Not so with Caillat's "Coco". I like every song. That is a first for me.

Positives about Colbie Caillat and "Coco":

1. No offensive/vulgar lyrics.
With so many of the hottest songs right now, you get a myriad of "bleeps" and "dubs" to cover up the vulgar and offensive lyrics. Caillat manages to produce an inspiring sound without the objectionable words from many other artists.

2. Caillat's voice is incredibly soothing and pleasing to listen to.
Smooth. That was the first word that came to mind when I first heard Caillat's voice. I was so blown away with the sweet, yet strong, soulful, flawless sound coming from Caillat's small frame. There's a little bit of folk and a whole lot of soul that makes for an extremely charming sound.

3. She writes her own music.
In this day, it seems as if more and more "musicians" are lacking in true musical talent. Listen to just a couple of tracks from "Coco" and you'll see that Caillat is a talented singer and songwriter. Her songs are not empty. Each has meaning and draws the listener in. There's something we can relate to in Caillat's music. That is endearing.

On her web page www.colbiecaillatmusic.com, Caillat says a "great song should lift your heart, warm the soul and make you feel good." Her music embodies that statement. Songs like Bubbly, the debut track, draw us in with lyrics like: I've been awake for a while now/ You've got me feeling like a child now/ `Cause every time I see your bubbly face/ I get the tinglies in a silly place. Young or old, everyone can relate to that feeling that comes with being in love.

Not just another pretty California girl, 22 year old Caillat definitely has a long musical career in front of her. She stays true to herself and her sound, and she writes and sings what moves her. In a world of musical conformists where it's more about the dollar than the talent, I appreciate that. Add her debut album, "Coco", to the stockings of your family members and they will not be disappointed.