Today is where your book begins...

Natasha Bedingfield went from being the little sister of a B-list english pop singer (Daniel) to having one of the most popular UK pop albums in no time at all. She did this by putting together the most enjoyable "kid-pop" albums of last year, Unwritten.

Unwritten starts out with "These Words", which is a simple but pleasant ditty about having trouble writing a song. Ingenious! "Single" follows, the first single that was released in England. Bedingfield puts across a theme usually done as the "I don't need a man" but without the requisite pronouns can be used by either women or men.

After that comes Bedingfield's masterpiece, "Unwritten" a self-empowerment anthem which doesn't get preachy and does get inspiring, which is a feat considering her previous internship with her siblings in a religious pop act. The song is still in heavy rotation almost a year later, deservedly so, and I think will be the most memorable song from 2005 when we look back in the future. Between the delicate delivery and the uplifting gospel-like chorus, "Unwritten" is a classic.

Unwritten continues with some able pop (the girl-pop drama of "Silent Movie", the vulnerable "I Bruise Easily") and some trips (the too-trying-to-be-hard "If You're Gonna..."). "Stumble" would make a great single, with its "troubled-love" passion and Bedingfield's best vocal performance on the CD. Also of note near the close of the album is "The One That Got Away", a song about a stalker trying to convince herself to not be a stalker, oddly enough. A great song, unfortunately hidden from radio by the success of "Unwritten" and the promotion of the US release of "Single".

Bedingfield's best talent is crafting a pop record that while being musically current, that has it greatest strength in its lyrics. This alone predicts hopefully a long and fruitful career. If you're looking for a great pop album, forget Mariah and Madonna, and set your sights on Unwritten.

Grade: B+
Best Cuts: "Unwritten", "The One That Got Away", "Stumble"
Weakest Links: "If You're Gonna...", "Drop Me In The Middle"

Listen to the Valentin Remix of "The One That Got Away" not on the album by clicking here to bring of the download window.

Unwritten (the album) made #26 US pop albums and #1 UK pop albums.

"These Words (I Love You, I Love You)" hit #17 Billboard Hot 100, #35 Dance Club Play, #24 Adult Top40, #1 Dance Radio, #9 Pop 100, and #1 on the UK chart.

"Unwritten" hit #5 Billboard Hot 100, #1 Dance Club Play, #2 Adult Top40, #2 Dance Radio, #7 Adult Contemporary, #1 Pop 100, and #6 in the UK.

"Single" made #57 Billboard Hot 100, #38 Pop 100, and #3 on the UK chart.

"The One That Got Away" hit #1 on Billboard's Dance Club Play, and #4 on Dance Radio.

"I Bruise Easily" made #12 on the UK chart.

Buy Unwritten by going here or here.