Reviewed by John Fisher

This is the first full release from this very talented native New Yorker singer/songwriter. This young lady is not afraid to look at life's highs and lows from a very personal angle as shown on the Sarah Kelly sounding opening number "Free To Be Me". Her honesty continues, eg, "I have been so terrified to trust/So many times I've been reduced to dust" she croons on the title track "My Paper Heart". She deals with the topic of self image on the hauntingly atmospheric Evanescence-styled "Beautiful Beautiful". There seems to be many influences on Miss Battistelli's music such as jazz, rock, soul and R&B but whatever the style she sings in she is more than competent. Add to the mix Dove Award winning producer Ian Eskelin and what we have is a really strong album.

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

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