Beautiful Awakening


Beautiful Awakening is the third studio album by American singer Stacie Orrico. The album was released internationally on August 14, 2006. It was released in the United States on January 16, 2007 in limited quantities but was quickly pulled as her label, Virgin Records folded into EMI.

Background

Orrico wrote the songs for instrumental and acoustic performance: "I want to perform soul music. That is what rings true to me. And truth, honesty, and vulnerability always rise to the top."

Singles

"I'm Not Missing You" was released as the album's lead single on August 5, 2006. Its accompanying music video was directed by Diane Martel. The song charted at number 19 on the Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles chart, an extension of the twenty-five songs that failed to make the Billboard Hot 100.
Orrico re-shot the video for release in the U.S. and Canada. It was directed by the husband-wife directing team Honey. The redone video is about Orrico being happy about not being attached to anyone. Unlike the original version, Orrico provided all of her own wardrobe. The video premiered on Yahoo! Music on December 6, 2006. The song, as well as Stacie, is featured as one of iTunes' 39 Girls of Summer.
"So Simple" was the second single for Europe and Asia released on January 26, 2007 in Europe and Australia at around the same time having been released in Southeast Asia in October 2006. The video for "So Simple" was directed by Ray Kay and was shot in Calabasas, California between the 8 and 9 of September 2006. Kay premiered "So Simple" online towards the end of October 2006 on YouTube.

Critical reception

AllMusic's Stephen Thomas Erlewine gave a positive review; Beautiful Awakening finds vocalist Stacie Orrico not only delivering more of the R&B soaked pop she perfected on her 2003 self-titled sophomore effort, but also maturing as an artist and a woman. Only 17 when she released her previous album, Orrico owns her womanhood here, focusing on such subjects as falling love and keeping true to yourself. Although there is not as heavy a Christian aesthetic evinced here as on her debut album, by no means does she seem to be dropping her spirituality. In fact, tracks such as "So Simple", "Dream You" and "Take Me Away" reveal Orrico's knack for a fresh and melodic neo-soul sound with a bent toward lyrics about inner beauty, true love and happiness. In that sense, Orrico often seems like a balanced mix of such contemporaries as Corinne Bailey Rae and Christina Aguilera. These are heartfelt, hummable and sometimes funky tracks that truly showcase Orrico's growing vocal talent and pop charisma.

Track listing

  1. "So Simple" – 3:48
  2. "I'm Not Missing You" – 4:12
  3. "Dream You" – 3:27
  4. "Easy to Luv You" – 4:29
  5. "Save Me" – 4:06
  6. "Take Me Away" – 3:17
  7. "Babygirl" – 3:37
  8. "Wait" – 3:29
  9. "Is It Me" – 4:01
  10. "Don't Ask Me to Stay" – 4:17
  11. "I Can't Give It Up" – 4:32
  12. "Beautiful Awakening" – 4:25
Japanese edition bonus tracks
Released:August 14, 2006
  2. "Frustrated" – 3:53
  3. "Brush 'Em Off" – 4:20
iTunes UK/Europe/Australia/Canada bonus track
Released: August 30, 2006
  2. "Addictive" – 4:03
Wal-Mart bonus download
Released: January 16, 2007
  2. "Tantrum" – 4:51

    Sampling credits

  3. "So Simple" contains a sample from "Doo Wop " as performed by Lauryn Hill
  4. "Take Me Away" contains a sample from "On My Way Home to You" as performed by Michael Franks
  5. "Is It Me" contains a sample from "A Garden of Peace" as performed by Lonnie Liston Smith and "Dead Presidents II" as performed by Jay-Z

    Production

Credits adapted from AllMusic.