Laws Of Illusion

Sarah McLachlan | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (June 15, 2010)
• Original Release Date: 2010
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Arista
• ASIN: B00387F6ZG
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (221 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,379 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

DVD track listing:
1. Intro
2. Loving You Is Easy
3. Forgiveness
4. Rivers of Love
5. Love Come
6. Illusions of Bliss

Note: DVD is Region 0 (playable anywhere). --This text refers to an alternate Audio CD edition.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

75 of 80 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Musical bliss, and that's no illusion, June 15, 2010

By 

Liam F. "WLF" (Melbourne, VIC Australia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Laws Of Illusion (Audio CD)

LAWS OF ILLUSION is Sarah McLachlan returning to her finest form, last seen since SURFACING, released 14 years ago. This album took 7 years and perhaps countless ups and downs in McLachlan's life to make - and the wait is every bit worthwhile. McLachlan's discography has always been timeless, such that SURFACING could have been released yesterday and LAWS OF ILLUSION in 1996 and no one would be able to tell. Such is the excellence of musical craftsmanship and brilliance of song-making partnership between McLachlan and long-time producer Pierre Marchand.

There are 12 songs (and an additional bonus track) on this latest album, 2 of which previously featured on GREATEST HITS released 2 years ago. Initially I was critical of this, blaming laziness and lack of effort. Then I became appreciative. "U Want Me 2" is one of the best McLachlan songs ever - lush instrumental, poetic lyrics, ethereal vocals all lending to heartbreaking imagery. I'm glad I have it on here as part of the collection rather than having to keep going back to the GH collection to hear it. It fits in perfectly with LAWS OF ILLUSION like the last piece of jigsaw. And 13 songs on a McLachlan studio album is always a bonus, considering SURFACING and AFTERGLOW only had 10!

LAWS OF ILLUSION is perhaps McLachlan's hardest and edgiest sounding collection - swirling electric guitars are present on most songs. But the sound never drifts too far from what all fans will claim is McLachlan's (sort of what you'd expect if Enya did rock). The album also contains some of McLachlan's happiest sounding songs in a sing-songy, chorusy way: "Illusion Of Bliss", "Loving You Is Easy", "Out Of Tune" and "Heartbreak". Even the instrumentation is fuller, more uplifting, a little bit more bouncy as if it were skipping happily along. But make no mistake, those "happy" songs never end up sounding like cotton candy having been through the hands of this queen of melancholy. McLachlan always finds a way to serve them up as mostly minor-chord songs that transition into a major-chord chorus. "Illusion Of Bliss" is a misnomer, there is no illusion about the bliss contained in this song.

I need to specially mention "Forgiveness", my newest, favourite McLachlan song. The instrumental arrangement is exquisite, the melody is trademark McLachlan. The solitary piano beginnings deceive the listener into thinking this as "Angel" #2, but when the beats drop, background cooing vocals enter and guitar envelope the song, you discover the masterpiece. I think this song inspired the classy and dreamy album cover. I also need to single out "Awakening". It is different, moody, electric-guitar-rock-loud and has a song structure that is not immediately discernible. But it is a stand-out and showcases McLachlan as a rock goddess doing Coldplay. Finally, "Rivers Of Love" and "Changes" deserve attention too, as a throwback to the SURFACING era. This is your 2010 "Do What You Have To Do" and "Full Of Grace" respectively. Check out the saw.

I have deliberately left out the most important ingredient on LAWS OF ILLUSION for last. Shimmering, magical, breath-taking, expressive, soothing and flawless: McLachlan's voice. It is what makes a McLachlan CD a McLachlan CD. It has remained the same from the day I first started listening to her. Her phrasing is unique; her slight cracks are emotion-drenched; and the oft-featured yodel-break is skilfully used throughout.

LAWS OF ILLUSION is pretty much perfect. I'll be spinning this one for however long it takes for the next McLachlan CD to drop. If she takes this long to release music as astounding as this, so be it.

Liam F.

16 June 2010

37 of 42 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A DEEPER, MORE MATURE SARAH, June 15, 2010

By 

NeuroSplicer (Freeside, in geosynchronous orbit) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Laws of Illusion (Deluxe CD/DVD) (Audio CD)

That was some Sabbatical! It has been 7 years since Afterglow, and I for one was starting to demonstrate some pretty pronounced withdrawal symptoms. But I always respect an artist who, having nothing new to add, will refrain from printing and marketing ...proof of this fact.

Sarah McLachlan's strong point has always been her mesmerizing voice and the beautiful poetry of hes songs. That is why in this album instrumental accompaniment is kept to a minimum. This is not a pop album. It deserves to do well because, although personal it is far from esoteric. Sarah sings about universal feelings of a human getting older, surviving heartaches, overcoming adversities and finding happiness once more.

If Fumbling Towards Ecstasy was the voice of a young couple in love about to start off their blissful life, LAWS OF ILLUSION is the voice of the same couple reaching maturity - whether they are still together or not.

Sarah is back. With another timeless masterpiece.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!

62 of 73 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Still fantastic voice, but less-than fantastic songs, June 18, 2010

By 

Justin Elswick (Provo Utah) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Laws Of Illusion (Audio CD)

I started listening to Sarah McLachlan years ago when her debut TOUCH was released. I was a fan long before she ever became an international star. She is maybe one of 3 or 4 artists whose album releases are always an event for me. I would rank her main albums (as far as overall quality) as follows:

1. Fumbling Towards

2. Solace

3. Surfacing/Touch/Afterglow

4. Laws of Illusion

I can genuinely say that in my opinion, she has never written or sung a "bad" song. However, I think there are definite peaks for her (both from a song and album standpoint). After listening to the newest album, I have to be totally honest and say that I feel just a tinge of disappointment; particularly after waiting so many years for new material. Her voice is as breathtaking and strong and perfect as ever, but the overall songwriting has really seemed to have slipped. In listening to the tracks, I noticed (first off) that the majority are slow/mid-tempo numbers that are contemplative and digestible. I definitely feel like Sarah McLachlan did what Dido did on her last album--namely turn into an ADULT CONTEMPORARY-type artist, making music for the 30 + crowd. Furthermore, the chord progressions have a meandering Beatle-esque quality that is not offensive, but not striking at all. While there are a few pleasant tracks (Rivers of Love, Out of Tune, Heartbreak and U Want Me 2) and one stellar track (Bring on the Wonder), that leaves 7 tracks that are mediocre. Mediocre for Sarah is like saying "great" for most other artists, but when I listen to songs like FEAR, BUILDING A MYSTERY, INTO THE FIRE, BEN'S SONG or STUPID, there is hardly anything like that on this new album. The problem is that most of the melodies are just not that engaging or memorable--and that is an uncommon thing for Sarah McLachlan. Where is the energy, fire, innovative harmonies and sweet chord progressions? It is like she's been listening to Phil Collins for the last few years. At any rate, I know she's been through a tough time personally, and we should be grateful she is still making music, but I hope she'll get more edge and creativity back on her next outing (whenever that might be).