These songs are definitely addictive. I think I finally figured out why, after reading Ms Sareo's web diaries. She's SINCERE — innocent, even! — free of irony — sorta like Connie Francis, Patsy Cline, and Arlene Smith. Her voice just sweeps over you (or through you) like a nice big ocean wave, fragrant and fresh, crashing and laughing, but with an undertow that could drown you in its salt tears. This CD is a big advance on her first, in which vocal mannerisms sound a little forced and annoying. But it 'll be a decade and several more albums before we know if Theresa Sareo fulfills the promise of this second CD. If she does, she'll be the Maria Callas of Pop. You can hear it in "Breaking Up with Mary" and "Dunedin" (marred by an awkward rhyme or two but still good). She gives every vowel and consonant the exact vocal timbre that brings the right emotion to every phrase. And she has Callas' combination of innocent soul, sincere heart, huge ego, and a great unique voice. But Callas was also the most intelligent vocal artist of all time, and the question for Sareo is whether her recent accident-induced soul-searching leaves her with a deeper, sharper, more passionate musical mind, or just a taste for blandly helpful spiritual affirmations. Time will tell — and it will take time for her new songs, her stage presence/self-image, and the potential of that voice to emerge and evolve. Okay, so maybe she isn't really gonna be the pop Callas — she doesn't take her tragic heroine role seriously enough to be quite that great in her art or that doomed in her life. But she will be Theresa Sareo, sooner or later. "Embrace" offers hints of a major career to come — but even if not, how many whole-hearted and unpretentious songs have been recorded by anyone (with a great voice) since 1963? For the price of a CD, you can have your faith restored in humanity!

These songs are definitely addictive. I think I finally figured out why, after reading Ms Sareo's web diaries. She's SINCERE — innocent, even! — free of irony — sorta like Connie Francis, Patsy Cline, and Arlene Smith. Her voice just sweeps over you (or through you) like a nice big ocean wave, fragrant and fresh, crashing and laughing, but with an undertow that could drown you in its salt tears. This CD is a big advance on her first, in which vocal mannerisms sound a little forced and annoying. But it 'll be a decade and several more albums before we know if Theresa Sareo fulfills the promise of this second CD. If she does, she'll be the Maria Callas of Pop. You can hear it in "Breaking Up with Mary" and "Dunedin" (marred by an awkward rhyme or two but still good). She gives every vowel and consonant the exact vocal timbre that brings the right emotion to every phrase. And she has Callas' combination of innocent soul, sincere heart, huge ego, and a great unique voice. But Callas was also the most intelligent vocal artist of all time, and the question for Sareo is whether her recent accident-induced soul-searching leaves her with a deeper, sharper, more passionate musical mind, or just a taste for blandly helpful spiritual affirmations. Time will tell — and it will take time for her new songs, her stage presence/self-image, and the potential of that voice to emerge and evolve. Okay, so maybe she isn't really gonna be the pop Callas — she doesn't take her tragic heroine role seriously enough to be quite that great in her art or that doomed in her life. But she will be Theresa Sareo, sooner or later. "Embrace" offers hints of a major career to come — but even if not, how many whole-hearted and unpretentious songs have been recorded by anyone (with a great voice) since 1963? For the price of a CD, you can have your faith restored in humanity!

I like the first five or six songs a lot. They are all slightly different and that keeps me interested in listening. I have not taken it out of cd player since it arrived.

I listened to the riffs on your website from both of your cd's and you are clearly very talented. I am confident you can go as high as you want with your career. I look forward with anticipation for your next cd. I can't wait till my friends here this. Best of luck and keep the music playing!