Mary Lambert - Heart on my sleeve Album Review

I just got a copy of Mary Lambert's Heart on my Sleeve, this is one of the most heart felt and personalized, put all the cards on the table, albums I have heard in a while.

Brutal and honest, Mary sings from the heart about her ups and downs in life and most of all the emptiness she feels.
Each song is like a page from her diary. A no punches held look at what she keeps inside, and how he anguishes over her inability to properly communicate her feelings to those around and to her love interest.

Though the album is only 11 songs in total, you feel as if you are walking with her as she tells the story of her life. Powerful and moving, many times I was able to relate to her struggles of self worth, and just wanting to be loved.

Secrets - This is a very fun song about how she is depressed, bipolar, and how she really is tired of always having to hide secrets from everyone. She belts it out to tell the world, love me or leave me but this is who I am. It to me is a fun anthem that is likened to Lady GaGa's Born this way. Its a raw, in your face look at how no matter what the world says about you, that you need to be your own cheerleader and take a stand and be happy being you.

So Far Away - Laments the long distance between her and a love interest. How she wishes that they were back together and didnt have to be apart from one another saying "im a better person with you near...but you are so far away." Anyone who has ever had to be away from the person that they love or care about can truly understand this longing. I connected with it remembering a few of my past love interests who I am no longer in contact with.

Rib Cage - This song is about how she is open and exposed and how she feels that people take from her but never give back, and how she doesn't know how to fill the space left behind from people using her and walking all over her.  I myself dealing with depression and being bipolar feel this way more often than I'd like to admit to. The constant struggle of putting yourself out just to make others happy and the empty feeling you have at the end of the day.

Dear One - A personal sonnet to someone who she is in love with and feels at peace being around. It speaks of how she has a 'moth to a flame' need to be with this person but that they act as if she isnt alive. This resounded with me and helped me to connect with her and this song. Many times I have thought about just telling people how I feel only to not do so because of self doubt.

When you sleep - Asks the question so many of us wonder when we like someone, "do you think of me when Im not around?" She sings about the different scenario's in which they have the chance to think about her but if they ever did/do.  She takes it a step further by saying 'I could make a home and marry you and completely disappear" meaning (at least to me) that she would give up her whole self just to make this person happy if they would just only acknowledge her.

Chasing the Moon - A more upbeat song. this song is about escape and wanting to out run the problems and wanting to make the wonderful night last forever by "chasing the moon". This song reminded me of some of the great times that I've had with friends, and how it was so amazing that we all wished that it never had to end.

Jessie's Girl - This is a cover of the original song by Rick Springfeild but done in a more broken hearted, soulful way.

Monochromatic -This speaks about how emphatic she is and how she dreams in color but lives in a monochromatic world of pain. She sees it on the blank expressions of those she passes and feels that she is to vibrant to live in an emotionally dead city. It is a very interesting piece. It to me drums up imagery of walking through the slums.

Heart on my sleeve - The Album Namesake. Again she laments the unspoken thoughts, feelings, and desires she has for a love interest. She states in the song "when you opened your door, you opened what I had closed". To me this sounds like she let down her guard and allowed this person to come in.

Wounded Animal -  An apologetic Ballard of how she is sorry for not being more sympathetic for this persons break up and broken heart. But that basically she saw an opening and went for it and hoped for the best.

Sum of our parts -  In this song that builds to a rampant visualization of having to fight and become 'more than our scars....mare than the sum of our parts'. This is a song about rising from the ashes and not letting something keep you down.  Its about how far you've come regardless the pain of the past.

This album really is soulful and full of pain, regret, and strength. Anyone who has ever felt awkward growing up, or like the 3rd wheel, or just left out can relate to at least one of these songs. It is a close look at the pain she has harbored and a testament to the strength she has in order to push forward.