Yes, this isn’t something that I would normally review. But I will be honest, I have a bit of a soft spot for Sarah McLachlan. It all started when I was a freshman in High School (1997) and Surfacing came out. I was big into the Alternative/Grunge scene (as well as Hip-Hop) so I mostly stuck to that kind of music – till I heard “Building a Mystery” and it changed my view on music. Then came the ASPCA ads that featured “Angel”. I’m a big animal activist and it hit me so hard when those commercials played that I actually support ASPCA each month. To this day, those ads still make me cry (poor kitties and puppies). Hell I even loved the the mix she did with Canadian electronic artist Delirium.
Now she releases her first album in seven years, Laws of Illusion. The first track of the album, Love Come at times sounds like a Kings of Leon song. My favorite track off this album has to be “Forgiveness” – it really hits you like a tidal wave. Other stand out tracks include “Awakenings” and “Illusions of Bliss”. Also at times it feels the record has elements of Counting Crows and Band of Horses.
However, the rest of the album is lacking as it sounds very repetitive and bland. Most of the time it sounds like she’s trying way too hard to be like Dido and in some cases . . . Enya. It makes me wonder what happened to her folksy/alternative sound she had during the late 90’s that made her popular. Overall rating: 2 ½ /5
By: Xander Deccio
