Mr Bigglesworth
12-03-2006, 12:43 AM
Sarah McLachlan has a long and distinguished career in music. Beginning her song writing in the late 80's, she was able to make a variety of styles, from her vocally haunting songs in her "Surfacing" album, to her earlier work in "Touch" and "Solace" which feature a heavier emphasis on instrumentals. "Afterglow" is a genuine combination of the two, and demonstrates her maturity in song-writing.
Despite the obviously sexual connotations the term has, Sarah McLachlan called her album "Afterglow" in reference to the sun at dusk, when the sky turns orange and red. Its difficult to find any bearing of the name on any of the songs.
The album begins with "Fallen", an upbeat country/pop style song about the ups and downs of life. String intruments feature quite prominently in this number. The next song, "World on Fire", despite its title, is also quite upbeat, with a much greater emphasis on vocals and pop-style. It is my favourite song on this album, and like the first song, it covers the challenges that life presents us. It should be interesting to note that Sarah McLachlans mother died of cancer in 1995, with her subsequent album being the most vocally inspired of all, and also being the saddest. It seems, that with her growth as a person, this has reflected in her songwriting.
"Stupid", the third song on the album, is the best known song of the album, and is about misguided love. It manages to infuse the vocal style of McLachlans music, with rock music and an element of country music thrown in. "Drifting" is an extremely vocal song, reminiscent of her music on "Surfacing", and highlights her exceptionally talented voice.
Besides "World on Fire", my other favourite song is "Train Wreck", which, ironically, I first heard on a train when travelling between Toronto and Montreal. It is best described as a pop song about getting to the point of a nervous breakdown, and once again highlights McLachlan sultry voice. "Push", the next number of the album, is also very vocal with little emphasis on instrumentals, though they do appear from time to time in the song. In it, she proclaims her undying love and her questioning herself on the subject. "Answer" is yet another song in the style of "Surfacing", very downlifting and very vocal. McLachlan uses the piano to great effect here. This song features the best vocals in the whole album.
"Time" manages to regain the upbeat momentum of the album, very pop-oriented and enjoyable to listen to. "Perfect Girl", the penultimate song in the album, is probably the least enjoyable song in the album. I feel that McLachlans voice could have been used to much better effect, which at times sounds more like shrilling than singing. It is a good song which suffers in places. Finally, "Dirty Little Secret" takes from "Answer", with piano accompanying yet another angelic McLachlan number about learning about love and when to quit chasing.
Overall, this album is great, with most Sarah McLachlan material falling into this category. However, I feel that this album shows a new direction that McLachlan is willing to take - taking a stab at adapting her voice (even downgrading it to some degree) and trying her hand at a more pop oriented listener. I thoroughly enjoy this album and listen to it quite regularly, and look forward to McLachlans future work.
Despite the obviously sexual connotations the term has, Sarah McLachlan called her album "Afterglow" in reference to the sun at dusk, when the sky turns orange and red. Its difficult to find any bearing of the name on any of the songs.
The album begins with "Fallen", an upbeat country/pop style song about the ups and downs of life. String intruments feature quite prominently in this number. The next song, "World on Fire", despite its title, is also quite upbeat, with a much greater emphasis on vocals and pop-style. It is my favourite song on this album, and like the first song, it covers the challenges that life presents us. It should be interesting to note that Sarah McLachlans mother died of cancer in 1995, with her subsequent album being the most vocally inspired of all, and also being the saddest. It seems, that with her growth as a person, this has reflected in her songwriting.
"Stupid", the third song on the album, is the best known song of the album, and is about misguided love. It manages to infuse the vocal style of McLachlans music, with rock music and an element of country music thrown in. "Drifting" is an extremely vocal song, reminiscent of her music on "Surfacing", and highlights her exceptionally talented voice.
Besides "World on Fire", my other favourite song is "Train Wreck", which, ironically, I first heard on a train when travelling between Toronto and Montreal. It is best described as a pop song about getting to the point of a nervous breakdown, and once again highlights McLachlan sultry voice. "Push", the next number of the album, is also very vocal with little emphasis on instrumentals, though they do appear from time to time in the song. In it, she proclaims her undying love and her questioning herself on the subject. "Answer" is yet another song in the style of "Surfacing", very downlifting and very vocal. McLachlan uses the piano to great effect here. This song features the best vocals in the whole album.
"Time" manages to regain the upbeat momentum of the album, very pop-oriented and enjoyable to listen to. "Perfect Girl", the penultimate song in the album, is probably the least enjoyable song in the album. I feel that McLachlans voice could have been used to much better effect, which at times sounds more like shrilling than singing. It is a good song which suffers in places. Finally, "Dirty Little Secret" takes from "Answer", with piano accompanying yet another angelic McLachlan number about learning about love and when to quit chasing.
Overall, this album is great, with most Sarah McLachlan material falling into this category. However, I feel that this album shows a new direction that McLachlan is willing to take - taking a stab at adapting her voice (even downgrading it to some degree) and trying her hand at a more pop oriented listener. I thoroughly enjoy this album and listen to it quite regularly, and look forward to McLachlans future work.