B l u e P a r a d e - A S a r a h S l e a n F a n s i t e
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By Paul Schrieber
If you're saying "Sarah who?" you won't be for much longer. Toronto-based singer-songwriter Sarah Slean's debut CD, which hit the shelves in May, contains some of the best new music I've heard. Combining the six tracks from her cassette EP of the same name with two hidden bonus songs, Universe doesn't let you down.
Slean demonstrates good range with her clear, piercing voice and flowing piano melodies. She takes it slow and soft in "I know," a sad song about pain and oppression. In "Angel," my favourite track, she picks up the tempo and tells the story of buying her pet angel.
You can hear the emotion in her voice throughout the chorus: "'cause I saw it on TV / and they were selling pieces of heaven / and he thought, well how can this be? / What in the hell are they thinking." The subtle percussion and string accompaniment is fantastic.
"Universe," the CD's title track, again stars her voice. A very relaxing piece, it makes one want to hear nothing but her soft, sweet vocals. The sixth track is completely different from the first five. It's "Pie Jesu," a classical piece by Faure� in which Slean goes a capella. On track 23, she's back to her familiar piano-pop style with "John XXIII." Way down on the CD is the final track, a cover of Radiohead's "Climbing Up the Walls."
Although her music has drawn comparisons to Tori Amos, this singer-songwriter's style is definitely her own. If you're looking for great vocals, interesting lyrics and absolutely killer piano, pick up a copy of Universe as soon as you can.
Sarah Slean is scheduled to perform Saturday, August 8 at the Jane Bond Caf�.
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