I’m not a big fan of hers anymore, she lost me with Surfacing which I found rather boring so I stopped buying her albums; maybe I should give her another chance through the 30-second samples in iTunes. One close friend blames the popularity she gained in the late Nineties for her material starting to suck. I don’t agree with that and you always hear it with REM, U2, the Cure, etc. Sometimes musicians take a direction you just don’t like. I readily admit there’s a loss of personal connection when a band you felt you had to yourself goes mainstream. Then you want to reach out and slap those poseurs or johnny-come-lately fans. It must be a sign of aging and/or maturity for me since I don’t have such feelings welling up in me over Plain White T’s. I do grouse over radio stations ignoring their better songs.
Despite the shift in style, taste or fame, Sarah will continue to have a special place in my heart for several reasons. Her second album Solace was a favorite in 1992. I only stumbled upon it from the video on 120 Minutes, MTV’s last relevant musical show. WXRT played this single too. Her sad tunes ended up nailing my overall mood at the end of 1992 (Dana, GDW). Then her single “Hold On” for the No Alternative AIDS-awareness CD became somewhat of an anthem for me as 1993 ended; would I leave for Austin, Milwaukee or remain in Central IL? I know, heavy and melodramatic. The final piece brings Sarah into a positive light though. Within a couple weeks of moving to Austin, I won a pair of tickets from KGSR (what we call K-Geezer) to see her at the Backyard (a venue I would never go to again if you paid me). Thankfully, it wasn’t sold out because Doc and I needed a third ticket for Eiko. Sarah McLachlan was a great live performer and she drew all the designs on the concert shirts.
This week, I think I’ll re-listen to her first three and maybe see if there’s any redeeming traits to her 2003 return. Who knows, I’ve been a defender of the later seasons of the Simpsons since the episodes have proven to be funny upon re-watching. Same thing could happen with her later material.