Sarah McLachlan - Surfacing 320cbr (Big Papi) 1997 Adult Alternative

Nowadays, the radio plays so many songs by women artists dressed like prostitutes, crooning (rather off-key) about how they like men, like to tease men, like to break hearts, etc., etc. But there exists a different class of female vocalists out there, with a more independent message--the Lillith Fair set, if you will--and Sarah MacLachlan is squarely at the forefront.
With her CD "Surfacing," many longtime fans may feel that she has gone too mainstream or too 'radio-friendly.' Oftentimes artists will have to do this to increase sales. Look at how much New Age recluse Enya has popularized her once arcane, Celtic-spirited style. However, I think that Ms. MacLachlan has lost little if any of her iconic individuality with this release. It's not as if Delilah had slain Sappho, so to speak.

Of course, we cannot keep Sugar Ray fans from singing along when "Building a Mystery" or "Angel" plays on the radio. But there is enough depth to her lyrics, as always, to keep the more emotionally/soulfully attuned listener satisfied. In songs like "Adia," for example, MacLachlan makes the most of her gifted voice range and lyrical sensitivity. I feel that this is one of her best recordings to date, and I look forward to more music of this kind.