Customer Reviews

Touch

5 star:		(35)
4 star:		(17)
3 star:		(8)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Sarah McLachlan's debut album, the 1989 release "Touch," confirms my working hypothesis that the best artists do not make a giant splash with a debut album who critical and popular success is never again equalled, but instead offer up a first album that showcases a distinctive sound and evidences musical talent. McLachlan was only 19 when the album was recorded, yet she was already showing a sense of maturity well beyond the current crop of singing Lolitas that are strutting themselves in music vidoes.

If you had to hang on label on McLachlan at this point in her career it would be a young Kate Bush (a reference that is hopefully not lost on everybody). In addition to writing and singing the songs, McLachlan plays several types of guitars, piano and keyboards, and also does teh cover design and photo tinting. However, her producer at this point is Greg Reely and not Pierre Marchand, which probably is why this album does not sound like the McLachlan from the rest of her albums, with Reely overlaying her vocals with lots of lush keyboards. This is why the piano ballad "Ben's Song" stands out so much on this album; its simplicitly is in stark contrast to the rest of the tracks.

McLachlan's music is ahead of her vocals at this point. "Vox" and "Steaming" offer up some beautiful melodies (and I like "Sad Clown") but the singing is more of an additional instrument; this is not the sultry vocalist that we know today. Here you are impressed by her vocal range, rather than what she is actually doing with her voice. Two years later McLachlan took a quantum leap forward with "Solace," which evinced much stronger songwriting and was the foundation for McLachlan's initial pre-Lilith Fair cult following. Her debut album is not the first album most of McLachlan's fans are going to pick up, but when they get around to checking it out they are going to find it an interesting look backwards at the first efforts of a young singer, fumbling towards finding her sound.

I was prompted to write this review after reading through some of the existing reviews from people who were introduced relatively recently to Sarah's work and were "disappointed" with this album when they worked their way back to it through her catalogue of work. Ironically, I feel the exact opposite. Touch was the very 1st Sarah album that I bought--back in 1990--after hearing the remix of Vox on several club tapes that a d.j. friend from Houston sent me while I was away at college. I became an immediate fan and continued to buy her new albums as they were released. However, each successive album became more and more "pop" oriented and less and less unique and individually beautiful--like Touch is. Sadly, this is true of a lot of talented artists--like Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey, Celine Dion, etc. Record companies can't afford misses from their stars so they bring in all the same big named writers and producers and ultimately end up with a homogonous, watered-down product that the masses have proven, time and time again, that they will buy.

Touch has none of that adulteration. It's clean, simple, pure, and sometimes raw. But that's the beauty of it. It's creativity in a much purer form than her later albums. Songs like Steaming, Uphill Battle, and Ben's Song possess a power and purity lacking in her more recent efforts--all of which I own and enjoy from time to time. The album is dusky, sultry, and meant to be played after dark. It's moody and yearns for candlelight and musky scents. It's great mood music for a rendezvous or to unwind with a good glass of wine and a comfy couch.

My encounter with Sarah McLachlan came in the summer of 2004. I'd heard her music before but didn't really think of listening to any of her music, until I watched the final episode of Buffy The Vampire Slayer's Season 2, "Becoming Part 2." The overwhelming emotion of that episode combined with Sarah's "Full Of Grace" made me buy two of her albums, "Solace" and "Fumbling Towards Ecstasy." I was so glad I did because those are both two amazing, beautiful recordings. For Christmas I also got "Touch," "Surfacing" and "Afterglow." Whilst I regard the latter two to be the best, "Touch" is also a noteworthy debut and should not be dismissed as it is by some fans.

Released in 1989, Touch was a relatively obscure debut from the talented McLachlan. She wasn't a well known singer and this album didn't exactly set the charts alight, but the promise was there. This album, more than anything, showcases a blossoming talent that was in the early stages of blooming - a blossom that wouldn't be fully realised until two albums later. Solace was a big step forward from this debut, which she took further and finally blossomed on Fumbling Towards Ecstasy. It's interesting, however, to see the development of her confidence in her music from such an early stage.

The album opens with the beautiful "Out Of The Shadows." This song has soft percussion and gentle, swaying vocals from Sarah. The way she sings the lyrics is very memorable and a great way to open the album. I am also very fond of the long, mournful wails in the background that seem to echo over the hills. A very beautiful and atmospheric composition. "Vox" is an amazing song and definitely one of my favourite Sarah McLachlan songs ever! It's just a fun, upbeat pop number with a very cheerful chorus and a beautiful section where Sarah wails with her excellent voice which seems capable of anything. "Strange World" is a rather strange song where Sarah is joined by a male vocalist. Together they sing of this strange world which creates an ominous feeling of something yet to come. "Trust" opens beautifully before breaking out with a slamming drum break. The guitars are in full effect here, and whilst it's hardly a heavy metal song it's rather more rocky than anything else on the album. The chorus changes this, however, as the piano lightens things up.

"Touch" reminds me a bit of an Enya song because there's not much actual singing in this song, but more wailing and Operatic-vocals. It's not really one of my favourite songs, so it's a good thing when the next song starts. "Steaming" has a very strong beat to it, with some very memorable lyrics in its chorus, "All the way my love. Over the hills I'll ride on through you." It's not the actual lyrics, but the way in which they are arranged, which creates a very sweet melody. Overall, this is one of the album's best songs. "Sad Clown" is another one of my favourites, yet the focus is more on the music rather than Sarah's voice. The intro is rather dramatic with a little bit of everything and some subdued strings adding a great atmosphere to the song. "Uphill Battle" is a good song but not one of the best on the album. It creates a feeling of loneliness and sadness whenever I listen to it. Again, there's no singing here, but it is a nice instrumental piece. Some might see it as a pointless waste of album time at nearly 5 minutes long, but I actually regard it as a strong piece on the album. "Ben's Song" is the last song on the album and is so strong because it is the only true ballad. All the other songs border on mid-tempo, 'safe' pop songs, but this is truly something different. "Vox (Extended)" is a bit of a disappointment in my opinion. I don't think there was anything wrong with the original and this version is pretty rubbish. Also, it's nearly seven minutes long which I think is too long!

OVERALL GRADE: 7/10

I experience a similar feeling whenever I listen to a Sarah McLachlan album: a feeling of pure beauty and content. It doesn't matter which album it is, because her voice is so versatile. She can sing anything (as witnessed by the 2000's UK dance smash hit "Silence" by Delerium which she sung the vocals for) and this album shows a natural early start to a beautiful music career that would blossom and still hold up even 15 years after its release. The woman has longevity and will be going strong for years to come.

I bought this CD after "Surfacing", "FTE" and "Solace" so you can understand that "Touch", in my opinion, doesn't have the same calibre as her later works. But this is Sarah's debut CD and considering that she had never written a full song before in her life, "Touch" is certainly a good effort.

The sounds of "Touch" are very Celtic-inspired but also somewhat outdated because this is a 1988 release. However, Sarah's strengths are always in the melodies of her songs and of course, her voice. The lyrics, on the other hand..well I don't understand what she's saying. There are lots of pretty words but with no real meaning and they don't contribute to the song as a whole. I'm no expert in songwriting but I know that I, as a listener, can't relate to anything that's written in "Touch".

Despite the lyrics, I really like the melodies of "Out of the Shadows", "Vox", "Steaming", "Uphill Battle" and the utterly haunting "Ben's Song".

"Touch" is for Sarah die-hards and for those who are interested in her early beginnings.

Iv'e read the reviews here for this album.Somehow I don't hear the 80's thing at all.Personally,I also wouldn't call this an "inmature" effort by any means.For being just 20,Sarah is lyrically and musically brilliant on her work...I would say a very mature effort. The only thing I feel this album is lacking is the top 40,every hour on the hour radio playlist appeal(which in my opinion,is a wonderful thing).The songs are soft and moving.I don't just hear these songs,I feel them...every note and lyric.She's come a long way in popularity since this album,but still performs some of these songs during her shows.They are part of her growing experience as a truly unique songwriter and musician, and should be experienced by anybody who "feels" when they listen to her.This album may fall short as a big money making effort,but these songs are the groundwork of who she is today. Just listen to "Out of The Shadows" and "Steaming" and tell me you wouldn't be proud to call this your earliest work. I know I would. ~Peace~

Sarah McLachlan's debut "Touch" is a whimsical and ethereal one. This was the first time she composed full-length songs (and what a great start). In comparison to Sarah's later works, "Touch" is a far cry from them. However, this album does have its strong points. Her voice is beautiful and she shows some superb guitar playing. The lyrics are confusing yet show a young woman trying to find her place in the world. Any teenager with an open mind could relate to this record. "Out of the Shadows" and "Vox" are beautiful songs and I wish Sarah would give them more attention. If you love Sarah McLachlan and are aware that she has more albums than "Surfacing", this album will surely satisfy you.

Unlike many of the other reviewers, this is the first Sarah Mclachlan album that I heard, it was in 1990. I happen to like this CD the most of any of her CD's. There is no song that I feel compelled to skip through. Yes, it doesn't sound like her other CD's and there is nothing wrong with that. I would give very few CD's a five rating. This one gets one because:
1) Every song is easily listenable.
2) You can listen to this CD many times, not get bored and hear new things.
Music is a matter of presonal taste and this fits mine.Consider this CD on its own not in comparison with her other CD's.

When I first purchasd this C.D. I didn't care for it too much. I sort of stuck with FTE and Solace, but then I decided to give it another chance. I was blown away at how much I had truly missed the first time around. The thing that struck me the most was the sheer brilliance that went forth into her first album. The songs (all of them) touch me in different ways and strike a different chord with each word and note. I hope there is someone like me, who will agree with me. I like the song "Trust", because it is just so beautifully sang, and the male vocals are great too. I have alays loved Sarah's music since "Possession" and I was hooked to her like a magnet. Her music is sentimental in some ways and anger in others, but with the talent of giving an otherwise nonesense song, she gives it a whole new meaning. I hope her career will continue for a long long time and her well of ideas will never run dry.

I hope that Sarah will someday have the privelage to read this, and if she does: Thank You for the wonderful and timeless music you put out. It belongs in a class all by itself, if not for anything but vocal beauty. Your music has not only touched the lives of the adult media and adult attention, but has toched the lives of teens as well,( I should know I am 15!) once again thank you!!!

Don't get me wrong - Touch is a wonderful album. Really. It is. But it's also a first album - the first ever recorded by a (then 20-year-old) Sarah McLachlan. So though it's great, it's clear that with Touch, McLachlan hadn't yet realized her full potential, either as a musician, or a lyricist. And there IS also the fact that the album was made in the '80s, which gives some of these songs a decidedly dated feel. Yet, though the album lacks the lyrical complexity and emotional depth of McLachlan's later albums, and has some decidedly "'80s-ish" songs on it, Touch DOES have a lot to offer. "Ben's Song" is a beautiful ballad, with lovely vocals, and haunting, heartfelt lyrics. "Vox" and "Steaming" are catchy dance tunes which WILL play in your head 24-7 after you listen to them - but trust me, they're so good, you won't mind :) And of course, the whole album boasts McLachlan's beautiful voice, and her amazing work on guitar and piano. Yet, in my opinion, Touch would probably be best enjoyed by hard-core Sarah fans, and also by those who enjoy '80s music. Touch is so different from Sarah's other albums that liking her later albums isn't really a guarantee that you'll like Touch. But if you absolutely love Sarah, and can't get enough of her amazing voice, then Touch is a must.

Most people know of Sarah McLachlan due to her success with such hits as "Building A Mystery", "Adia", "Possession" and "Hold On". I discovered her by buying "Touch" back in 1992, and I bought it on cassette because at the time I had no CD player. Despite the lack of quality in the sound of cassette (vs the sound from a CD) I knew then that this was a woman of extraordinary talent.

It is true that this album is different from all of her others, in that it is almost over-produced. I think this can be overlooked considering the beautiful result. The purity of her voice shines through in most songs, although her talent at the piano in "Ben's Song" is overshadowed by the other songs. However, if the extremely catchy "Vox" doesn't make you want to hit repeat on your CD player I'd be surpised.

The songs have gotten better over the years and the sound has matured as Sarah has learned to go with a more natural sound and sing the majority of her songs in the mid to lower portion of her range. But if you are a true fan, this album is one that you shouldn't pass up.