To borrow a line from someone with a very interesting way of words (my friend’s five-year-old daughter, Tangie), Sarah McLachlan’s newly released CD “Laws of Illusion” is “top of the sundae.” Usually when Tangie says “top of the sundae” it doesn’t make much sense. In this case, however, it’s very much on point. Let me explain… the top of a sundae is the rich chocolate syrup, the whipped cream, the juicy cherry… it’s the most satisfying part, the part that makes the dessert interesting (as if the ice cream alone isn’t good enough), the stuff of which we can never seem to get enough.
But enough about dessert… Sarah McLachlan is back, and her heartfelt songs are as delicious and flavorful as they were seven years ago.
Her newest album is cohesive. It’s engaging. It’s beautiful. Laws of Illusion contains 12 tracks (and one bonus track) and is chock-full of poetic lyrics, soulful vocals, and outstanding instrumentation. I’ve always been a McLachlan fan, but this is the only album where each of the songs didn’t have to “grow” on me. Perhaps it’s because now I’m listening to her at 33 years old, and not in my early 20’s as when I first became a fan. Most of the songs are slower and mid-tempo and definitely for the more mature crowd who has been in love a time or two (or three).
I have to make special mention of “Forgiveness” (track 5). It has an “Angel”-like appeal to it that I love, making it my favorite on the album. Sarah’s voice is sexy, beautiful, and soulful. "Loving You Is Easy" (track 3) has all the makings of a classic love song, inclusive of the strong piano accompaniment. Another favorite is “Changes”. It’s simply pretty, and if you put it as the outgoing message on your voicemail, callers will be interested enough to inquire. Pick a song, any song, to call your favorite. With “Laws of Illusion”, you can’t go wrong.
McLachlan is back, and definitely deserves 5 stars!
