Categories : Music Reviews, Rock + Pop.
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Rating: 3/5 Released: November 14, 2006 Reviewer: Delaney Seiferling |
Many of the songs on Sarah Slean’s new album, Orphan Music, were recorded from live performances, accompanied by a grand piano and a string quartet, making Slean’s voice sound as if it’s filling up an entire concert hall. The effect is wonderful when she is showing off her lovely grasp of gravitating deep notes. However, the high notes are far too many and far too oddly-pitched; at times even a little country twang-ish (I swear you can hear elements of Dolly Parton at times). By the second listen though, the original sound of her voice becomes endearing, almost like she is telling fairy-tales to grown-up children.
In the realm of bubble-gum-pop music, Slean’s originality and musical integrity shine through. There is no lack of poetry in her songs. For example, the spirited ‘Pilgrim’ is dense with carefully constructed language: “If the ancient wisdom came in bottles / I would tell my terror where to go / but I don’t know who would do the dishes / ‘cause I’d be lying wasted in the road.â€
If poetic lyrics don’t do it for you, there’s always the rich piano playing, and once you’re accustomed to her unique voice, you’ll feel like you’re listening to pleasant musical folklore.
Buy Orphan Music from iTunes >> 
