Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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20 of 20 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Can't wait for it live!, 9 Nov 2004
This album is quite simply fantastic.. It takes a couple of listens as its definitely mellowed from previous work.. I think Sarah's become yet more introspective since a few more major life changes came along in the birth of her daughter and death of her mother... That said its a GREAT album. Fallen is superb, and if you havent seen it yet the video for world on fire is superb (just like the song). Stupid is the only real rock song on the album and is fantastic, and the album continues in a folksy, jazzy, light rocky sorta way through other standout tracks such as the haunting "Answer" and lovely ballads drifitng, and train wreck... All in all a great if as always too short album from the Divine Mrs M.... Oh on another note I just read a review (the only one of it's kind) that claimed not to like FTE, and if they happen to read back please please please get mirrorball.. I agree FTE was overproduced and sounds a little bit dated now even possibly due to the very gothic orchestration... However if you listen to the greatest hits tour "Mirrorball" or indeed the soon to be released (and i can't wait) Afterglow Live, then I guarantee you will love the up to date versions of tracks such as fear, ice cream, the awesome hold on and possibly my favourite elsewhere (which is on the fantastic dvd version).. The live versions are really completely different from the album and show what a difference there is when she performs live.. I saw the afterglow tour a couple of weeks ago and I have to admit was absolutely blown away. I knew she was fantastic as I had the dvd's, but had no idea how good she really would sound. Her voice was amazing, note perfect, and one particular note she held for topping 30 seconds on a song called witness, was truly one of those moments that make you glad to be alive.. Her band were spectacular, but naturally she stole a remarkable show, I can't wait till she returns...
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16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Stll glowing, 29 Jun 2005
I first came across Sarah McLachlan's vocal prowess on the haunting track 'Silence' by Delerium - if you're unfamiliar with that then it is well worth tracking down and listening to. I then saw he live on Jonathan Ross last year and decided that she was an artiste worth investigating.This is the first CD of hers that I have bought - and I have found it an enchanting, haunting and extremely well crafted album. McLachlan quite simply has a beautiful voice and writes intelligent and poignant lyrics - and this album displays her vocals at their best. It demands to be listened to, and is definitely not background music for dinner parties as many might describe Nora Jones and Dido. The opening track 'Fallen' sets the standard for the album, and other high spots include 'Train Wreck' and 'Answer' - but the other 7 tracks paint a vivid picture and use the full pallet of McLachlan's rich voice. Buy it - you won't be diappointed!
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19 of 20 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Fallen? I dont think so!, 15 Feb 2004
Funnily enough, 'Afterglow's release seems to have finally been recognised in the UK. The Observer Music magazine, I was horrified to discover, have labelled Sarah as 'an American-Dido-rip-off. Those who know Sarah's previous music too, will know the pain when some random reviewer leafs through her album and declares it 'been-done'. I myself has to retrain from throttleing the reporter who wrote such a review. I absoulutely love Sarah McLachlan's music. It is like a good friend. Its warm, comforting, its helps you find things in yourself that you had no idea were there, but mostly, it buries intop your music taste and has a knack of staying there. To describe Sarah's music as 'Chillout' would be quite close, but the word itself seems too cheapen her music, pulling veil over it before people can really listen to it without prejudice for Dido. Hear this now - Sarah has been around a hell of a lot longer than Miss Armstrong. Don't get me wrong, Didos great, but thinking about it, Sarah's last materpiece of an album, 'Surfacing' was out at least two years before Dido made her debut.
Right, first things first - no one truthfully expecting 'Afterglow' to triumph over 'Surfacing' (did they? truthfully?) And although 'Afterglow' does not quite reach Surfacing's abominable heights, it is certainly worth having a listen to.
The album opens with the amzing 'Fallen' a great, hearty song which emphasizes Sarah's voice, to show off its beautiful harmonies, and I believe the track to be built on this one's strength. It possesses all the wistfulness of 'Building a Mystery' while holding its own. The next track 'World On Fire' was written by Sarah and manager Pierre Marchand more recently than others, and though the lyrics are awesome, I was somewhat thrown by the airy-fairy tune. It nice, but a bit whispery. Thirdly comes a sort of rocky, orchestral tune - Stupid. Its another highlight on the album. Following this is a stringy, enjoyable, slightly jazzy track called 'Drifting'. Its a great Chillout one. Another strength on the album. After Drifting comes the nice-but-a-bit-boring 'Train Wreck' which is probably the weakest track. Its just my opinion, but I think its not good enough for Sarah really.
The second half of the album, I feel, is really the best. 'Push' just rocks. Strong lyric writing needs no justification. 'Answer' is my absoulute favourite. I love it. Its so atmospheric, so pure, its quite beutiful. 'Time' is a classic. Its classy, and again, the lyrical talent really shows here. 'Perfect Girl' is another of the album highlights. It opens with a sort of exotic choir, and follows the piano based beat of an amzing song. -Dirty Little Secret closes the album, and leaves you gagging for more. Thats when you press play and play it all over again. Im only going to say this once: 'Buy It.'
Thank you.
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~ Sarah McLachlan
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