Sarah Mclachlan's Ecstasy is penetrating and haunting

Author's Rating:

Pros: Artistic, beautiful, introspective and poetic

Cons: Not for those in denial or who do not want to examine personal issues.

Author's Review
It was the summer of 1994 and one of the darkest times of my life. Confused about who I was, where I was going and dealing with my share of personal demons, I needed music beyong top 40 love songs and ballads of lost love. I needed an outlet. I needed some redemption. I needed music like that of Sarah McLachlan.

"Possession" slowly trickled onto the airwaves and immediately I was taken with her haunting and emotionally vulnerable style. The opening organ almost demands for you to open your soul and the lyrics are very charged and effective. From the opening line you know this is not an ordinary song. "Listen as the wind blows, from across the great divide, voices trapped in yearning, memories trapped in time." provokes a lovely vision of emptiness. Every lyric coaxes the mind to feel and every note provokes a response. This is music at its finest. Many different meanings can be taken from the words but the beauty of it is it can be individual.

"Wait" is a landscape of interesting lyrics and invokes a lot of imagery. I feel an essence of loneliness and innocence lost but the song doesn't strike a chord with me personally. I think it is a good song and could be something meaningful to someone else. The same goes for the next song "Plenty". Its a very good song but I didn't connect with it.

"Good Enough" is a beautiful ballad talking about finding trust in another person after feeling inadequate with someone else. There is some debate whether this song hints toward a lesbian type relationship but to me that doesn't matter. Its a beautiful song and has a lot of meaning to it.

The next song is rumored to be Sarah McLachlan giving a voice to the earth and how humans deface and ruin the natural resources of our world. "Mary" very well could be this, but it doesn't have to be. I personally interpret it as a person who is finally realizing her life isn't what she wanted to be. She's reaching out for anyone who can help her find meaning in her life. It changes perspective from a third person point of view to first person so it can be a little confusing but it has a lot of engaging lyrics and is filled with a lot of symbolism.

The next song is a song I love completely and have taken away a lot from the lyrics. "Elsewhere" exposed that many of the truths I had built my life around seemed to be fading at the time and other truths were hidden from my view. Somewhere along the way I had lost myself and this song was one of the one's that helped me find who I was. The lyrics are achingly introspective and almost astonishing in their naked purpose.

"I love the time and in between
the calm inside me
In the space where I can breathe
I believe there is a distance I have wandered
To touch upon the years
Of reaching out and reaching in"


"Ice" is a very dynamic song with fascinating lyrics that deeply jar the soul. I interpret this song as being with a lover so jaded and estranged from emotion but you love them anyway. This person is incapable of giving you their heart but you want whatever you can get because you love them.

"Ice Cream" is a wonderful, carefree song singing about how good love is and relieves some of the tension this album causes up to this point. Gracing us with some acoustic piano and a light rhythm section, Mclachlan gives us a sweet concoction of bliss and caution.

Coming to the end of the album, we have the vocally impressive "Fear" where all the issues dissected in previous songs on this album come to a head and dramatically Mclachlan admits all the emotional baggage and loneliness might have left her scared. She works through this with distorted musical ideas and a very passionate melody. Then comes the gorgeous resolution.

"Fumbling Towards Ecstasy" is the dramatic conclusion of this vulnerable, exceptional album. The first line states "All the fear has left me now.." and she finally resolves the issues plaguing her soul and she is ready to fumble towards enlightenment. The conclusion is emotion is natural and love is inevitable. You take it and enjoy it and not dwell on the fact it won't last forever.

Hidden at the end of this album is an acoustic version of "Possession". This gives it a softer, gentler sound and seems more like a lullaby but the emotional meaning is still lush. This concludes an album full of artistry and authentic soul searching.

McLachlan is a stunning artist and an amazing musician. She paints a picture with her lyrics, her outstanding arrangements and serene voice. When the album is done you almost feel like you have found release. It truly is something to behold. Other tracks on this album include "Hold On" and "Circle".

This album is a wonderful piece of work and I would encourage anyone to buy this album. It is peaceful, turbulent and profound. If you like Sarah McLachlan also try Paula Cole and Fiona Apple.