Sarah McLachlan
Mirrorball
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Sarah McLachlan
Mirrorball
Arista, 1999
RiYL: Tori Amos, Jewel, Natalie Merchant |
The first two tracks, "Building A Mystery" and "Hold On" are deceivingly original, falsely suggesting the album will be a unique addition to the McLachlan collection, as McLachlan's band adds some spunk to the songs. "Hold On" is given strength by McLachlan's male and female backup vocalists, who join in beautifully at the chorus. "Good Enough" sways with the added flavor of Camille Henderson's vocal harmonies. McLachlan shows off her soprano vocals in "Fear," and although her range impresses, the rendition treads a little too close to a church choir solo.
McLachlan does impress with her sexy version of the loveable "Ice Cream" and a heartfelt performance of the heavenly "Angel." Indeed, the album could be a "Best Of" series. With the exception of the lovely "Do What You Have to Do," McLachlan only includes her popular tracks.
Yes, she includes "Possesion" and "I Will Remember You." But despite the added guitar, the latter sounds the same as the previously-released recording from the movie "The Brothers McMullen. "Adia," "I Love You," and "Sweet Surrender," are equally blase, with "I Love You" coming off like a bad '80s b-side.
McLachlan might have done well to consult with her Lilith Fair cohorts the Indigo Girls, who released a two-CD set 1200 Curfews after their 1994 Swamp Ophelia tour. The CD included covers, non top-40 music and live performances which were compelling instead of repetitive. Why hold up a Mirrorball to McLachlan's discography when you can just listen to the originals?
SHARNA MARCUS |