Customer Reviews

Sarah Slean

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I was totally livid after listening to this, the first track of Sarah Slean's U.S. debut EP. Having played her Canadian indie releases, the Universe EP and her first album blue Parade, I've identified Slean as a songwriter of the finest order, a classy and imaginative arranger, a top-notch pianist, and a singer whose plaintive, ethereal croon is the pinnacle of loveliness. Her self-produced indie releases showed an artist who was ready to soar -- her "Playing Cards with Judas" from last year was possibly the best song written last year.

On this EP, you'll get only half the picture, at best. I can only blame producer Hawksley Workman. Slean had shown impeccable taste on her previous recordings; there is no way that the vibrato-obsessed, unmelodic lead vocal style of "Eliot" and "Book Smart, Street Stupid" could have been her idea. Rather than her old, pitch-perfect croon, we get a ritchety croak that's disturbing at best, irritating at worst. This approach inaccurately paints Slean as a non-singer in the leagues of Gord Downie and early Adam Duritz, the breathtaking beauty of her voice violated. The songwriting is good, but compare this version of "Eliot" with Slean's earlier recording on Blue Parade and you'll see Workman's contribution to this EP is akin to that of a parasite to the body.

Why four stars? Because thankfully, this EP culls tracks from Universe and Blue Parade to give U.S. audiences a taste of Slean's earlier work. And these soar to the heights leaving the first three new tracks in the dirt. "Twin Moon" is mystical and beautiful; "High" is funky yet subtly menacing; and "Me and Jerome" and "John the 23rd" both showcase the fresh sonics, subtly gorgeous vocal work, and spiritually and lyrically complex songwriting that Slean has always been known for up to this point.

Slean is still an artist deserving of utmost respect and attention. I just think, somewhere along the line, while diving into a major-label deal, her distinctive, impeccable sound has been marred by the interference of inferior outside "talent". No doubt, though, I will purchase her upcoming full-length album when it comes out, if only for the hope that Workman hadn't done his ghastly work on all of Slean's new songs.

From the moment Sarah Slean begins to sing, you can tell that she is no one's sound-a-like. Her voice is unique and beautiful and powerful. The sort of voice that - if you see her live - can bring tears to your eyes. She's also an extremely talented pianist, but please don't lump her in with the plethora of piano girls... she's so much more than that. Her lyrics are well written and intelligent, and her sound is all her own. I think of it as a modern take on old-fashioned cabaret-style jazz (which of course puts her squarely into the vaguely defined "Adult Alternative" category; an unfortunate label).

"Sweet Ones" is probably the most accessible song on the album, a catchy, upbeat song that's getting a fair bit of radio play. "Eliot" is absolutely brilliant. I, for one, am in favour of this reworked version. Though I'll agree with an earlier reviewer that this recording of "Book Smart, Street Stupid" is less successful; it's far more melodic when you hear it live. If you can get your hands on her full-length debut album, "Night Bugs" (I gather that it's only available here in Canada), then I highly recommend it. Otherwise, pick up this EP. It's a good introduction to one of the most stunning performers that I've had the privilege to hear.

It's a shame Sarah Slean's releases are very hard to get outside of Canada. This woman has many talents, and should get credit for that outside of her homeland. She writes very clever and interesting lyrics, is an amazing piano player, has a sixth sense for catchy and strong melodies, and is also blessed with a gorgeous voice. Though this release is an interesting introduction to her music (it introduced be to her as well), after hearing it, you will only want more, MORE! I recommend getting her albums in order of release, so Universe first, followed by Blue Parade, Night Bugs and Day One. This EP however, only has songs from the first three. Also: if you have the chance to see and hear her live, grab it! She's a fantastic live performer, and aside from that also a very nice person. ;)

...I recently had the pleasure of seeing Miss Slean in
concert at a lcal university, and though she kept
the audience waiting for nearly two hours, the final
result was well worth it. She gave the best small-
venue performance I have ever seen. Slean is a good
composer, a vibrant vocalist with a potent and
distinctive voice, and a great pianist and performer.
A clinging precocity in her work is all that prevents
her from rising head and shoulders above the other
artists to whom she is most often compared.

This little album's a good place to start, but there
are other Sarah Slean titles available that Amazon
has yet to offer. You'd be wise to seek them out.

As someone who is not easily impressed, I was thrilled when I discovered Sarah Slean. I have all of her CD's and there isn't a song that I don't love. Sarah is immensely talented and has a unique lyrical ability. Her music is melodic and haunting and her voice has an incomparable tone wrought with emotion. The songs Sarah composes are insightful and deal with several issues of importance both to herself and her listeners. Sarah's voice takes on a solid quality in some of her heavier songs like Habit, High and Weight and becomes forlorn and pensive in songs like John the 23rd and Blue Parade. Sarah even has some songs with a choral influence like Awake Soon and Pie Jesu. Her harmonies and intricate and her melodies are memorable. Sarah Slean is without a doubt the best Canadian import in years!

I may be an impressionable youth, but sad to say my idol is not britteny spears. I listen to fiona apple, tori amos, bjork and so on and so forth. But this is truely unique in sound. The piano is very haunting, and she shows her talents in her piano work. I have only heard the samples to this, but I can tell now that this is a gorgeous and brilliant cd. I've been looking for good music lately, and this is definetely what I have been looking for. My "review" is not very inspiring to the nervous buyer. I just thought that this cd was very worthy of some praise.:)

If you like the sisterhood of Kate Bush, Tori Amos, Emma Townshend, Emily Bezar, and Jane Siberry, you'll love Sarah Slean. This EP is a sampler containing four songs from her two previous Canadian CDs (like Siberry, she's from Toronto) and three songs from her forthcoming full-length CD. A young beauty, Sarah Slean is the "it" girl of 2001.

Sarah's newest ep is simply brilliant. Her voice captures you and leaves you felling light and refreshed. Her piano skills are amazing which they should since she's been playing since she was three. This album gives you a lovely reminder of why you fell in love with her in the first place and gives you a nice little preview of what to expect on her next album "Night bugs" which has Hawksley Workman producing. This album is perfect for those who have not yet experienced Sarah and for those who already love her.

unlike many others who've written reviews of this cd, I'm not a gigantic fan of previous 'piano musicians', not that there's anything wrong with it, but none of it has ever really captured my attention before now. Sarah Slean has an amazing voice, great lyrical ability, and brilliant mastering of the piano. Unlike one of the earlier reviews, where someone was accusing Hawksley Workman of butchering Eliot and other tracks while recording them for her album, I prefer them to the older versions, they are much more orchestral and full sounding than her previous version, and the slight speeding up of Eliot, coupled with what I perceive to be an improvement in the sound of her voice on it, I think he did a great job - he captured exactly what Sarah wanted, and I think she's reached an amazing point in her career - she has already reached an amazing level, but we know there is even more beautiful music to come. Unfortunate that Atlantic decided not to release her full length major debut album "Night Bugs" in the US, and lucky for me that I live in Canada...it's an amazing CD, and I suggest you try and get your hands on it :) if you can't...well, I guess you'll just have to do with this EP, and you won't be disappointed :)

Sarah Slean's self-titled EP is a great sampler of both her newer material, as well as old. Many loyal fans of her independent releases -- "Universe" and "Blue Parade" -- may shy away from the newer songs, claiming they are too "pop" and too different; but this EP gives us a clear indication that Slean is anything but pop, and that she is creative in every sense of the word. She is a songwriter -- she writes heart-felt melancholy, melodic material. Yet, she also shows us that she can write something that's fun and playful, such as "Sweet Ones." Along with Hawksley Workman as co-producer, this EP is a great sign of what's to come.