.

Christina Perri

"Arms"

Rolling Stone: star rating
Community: star rating
5 3 0
23
March 15, 2011

Matching the young-adult tumult of Kelly Clarkson with the wind-swept angst of Florence and the Machine, Perri's 2010 smash hit "Jar of Hearts" was bad-boyfriend-crushing piano pop — the kind of thing that you crank as you decide which local cliff to jump off when your high school love dumps you for a Cheerio. Her newest blast of feelings-napalm is a ballad that starts out placid and folky, then picks up intensity and volume, as grand melodic swooshes (and timpani!) imply romantic rapture between Perri and her new man. But watch out: Chrissy's valentine seems to come with a razor blade of crazy: "I can't make you bleed if I'm alone." Dude, run.

Band of the Week: Sudden Star Christina Perri Plays an Acoustic Set

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Gallery: Random Notes, Rock's Hottest Photos

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