Sarah McLachlan
Fumbling Towards Ecstasy
»
Sarah McLachlan
Fumbling Towards Ecstasy
Arista, 1994
RiYL: Jane Siberry, Natalie Merchant, Aimee Mann |
Music industry bigwigs complained they couldn't find one discernable hit on the Nova Scotia native's album, but Sarah's fans argued the lack of a "hit" made for a more complete album. It was a work held together by a consistent strength that wouldn't diminish after radio executives were ready to toss their latest find aside.
Her fans were right.
Without much initial radio help, Fumbling can be credited as the album that catapulted Sarah McLachlan from Canadian superstar into the American mainstream, drawing audiences in with her raw honesty and sultry whispers that often work up to a deep, from-the-gut belting out of emotion.
Fumbling lures listeners into an ethereal world ruled by the simplicity and strength of the human voice. The album is, in many ways, McLachlan's own coming-of-age story: a woman in her twenties, longing to retain a sense of innocence in "Wait" while exploring themes of jealousy in "Circle," solitude in "Elsewhere," and the multiple facets of love's journey strewn elsewhere throughout the album.
Musically, Fumbling is more self-assured than its two predecessors, 1988's Touch and 1991's Solace. McLachlan's broader worldview amplifies the emotional depth of the material, particularly on "Ice," which looks past her own angst in favor of ruminations on her volunteer work in a third-world country. "Posession" inverts the trauma of being stalked, writing from the perspective of the deranged fan that made McLachlan's life a living hell. Her unique perspective into such a situation graces lines like "I will be the one / to hold you down / kiss you so hard / I'll take your breath away" with an eerie poignancy.
On the other hand, the light-hearted moments are much less forced than on past efforts, evidenced by the pure melodic and lyrical simplicity of "Ice Cream." The track exudes a richness much like that of the song's namesake, making it a sing-along favorite when performed live. Fumbling flows rather seamlessly, and concludes with McLachlan's journey through her "Fear" of falling in love, and the subsequent result of releasing that fear in the album's title track.
Fumbling Towards Ecstasy spotlights McLachlan coming into her own as both a songwriter and a compelling lyricist. Before too long, the rest of the world took note, and McLachlan was suddenly so much more than just a guitarist with a lovely voice, she was a role model for an entire generation of women with whom her message resonated profoundly.
ALISA BLACKWOOD |