Surfacing [ENHANCED]

Sarah McLachlan

Product Details

• Audio Cassette (July 15, 1997)
• Original Release Date: July 15, 1997
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Enhanced
• Label: Arista
• ASIN: B000002VT7
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (609 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #395,869 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Track Listings

1. Building a Mystery

2. I Love You

3. Sweet Surrender

4. Adia

5. Do What You Have to Do

6. Witness

7. Angel

8. Black & White

9. Full of Grace

10. Last Dance

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com essential recording

There's the requisite number of gorgeously melodic and deeply heartfelt songs here--the addictive "Sweet Surrender," the Hollywood-style ballad "I Love You," the sad, profound "Angel," the flat-out spectacular "Witness." McLachlan's not prolific, but this short, bittersweet album proves again that what she and producer Pierre Marchand do release is cut from the finest of cloth. --Jeff Bateman

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

72 of 72 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars "Surfacing" is a stellar, heartfelt work of art!, February 12, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Surfacing (Audio CD)

Originally, I purchased this album, without knowing much about the artist, because I really liked the song "Building A Mystery. I played "Building A Mystery" over and over for a long time, then I listened to the rest of the disc and was astounded. Every song on "Surfacing" is thoughtfully written and uniquely beautiful. Personally, I believe that the best song on this CD is track #2, "I Love You". With its unique instrumentation, superb acoustic guitar solo (by Sarah), and expressively sung lyrics which I could personally identify with, it quickly became my favorite song. I have played it so many times, I can't believe that the CD isn't worn out! Each track is pleasantly different and has its own charm. "Sweet Surrender" is upbeat and inspiring, while "Angel" is tranquil and meditative. The calming instrumental, "Last Dance" is the perfect choice for the concluding track. "Surfacing" is the one CD I cannot live without. I am now a huge fan of Sarah and have gone on to purchase her older CDs. I love every one of them, but "Surfacing" is the absolute best. It deserves nothing short of five stars. If you don't already own a copy of this collection of musical poetry, do yourself a favor and go order one now! I promise that you will not be disappointed!

92 of 95 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Sarah McLachlan's breakout album, October 30, 2001

By	D. Keating (Bristow, VA United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Surfacing (Audio CD)

This album put Sarah McLachlan in the music spotlight that she definitely deserves. I bought this album because I liked her previous one, Fumbling Towards Ecstasy, so much. Surfacing shows her continuing growth as a song writer and performer. Simply put, she is one of the best female artists making music these days.

Most people will be familiar with the singles "Building a Mystery" and "Angel", both which are strong tracks. But, probably the most impressive songs on the album are "Sweet Surrender", "Adia", and "Witness". Overall, the sound quality of this CD is excellent. I like to listen to this album with headphones to get the full impact of the songs.

I highly recommend this album to any Sarah Mclachlan fun, if you do not already own it. If you are unfamiliar with her work, I would use this CD as a great starting point.

62 of 67 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars serious music from a noted female artist, September 18, 2002

By	PARTHO ROY "Sir Fopling" (Tampa, Florida USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Surfacing (Audio CD)

Nowadays, the radio plays so many songs by women artists dressed like prostitutes, crooning (rather off-key) about how they like men, like to tease men, like to break hearts, etc., etc. But there exists a different class of female vocalists out there, with a more independent message--the Lillith Fair set, if you will--and Sarah MacLachlan is squarely at the forefront.

With her CD "Surfacing," many longtime fans may feel that she has gone too mainstream or too 'radio-friendly.' Oftentimes artists will have to do this to increase sales. Look at how much New Age recluse Enya has popularized her once arcane, Celtic-spirited style. However, I think that Ms. MacLachlan has lost little if any of her iconic individuality with this release. It's not as if Delilah had slain Sappho, so to speak.

Of course, we cannot keep Sugar Ray fans from singing along when "Building a Mystery" or "Angel" plays on the radio. But there is enough depth to her lyrics, as always, to keep the more emotionally/soulfully attuned listener satisfied. In songs like "Adia," for example, MacLachlan makes the most of her gifted voice range and lyrical sensitivity. I feel that this is one of her best recordings to date, and I look forward to more music of this kind.