May 09, 2014

Publication title: North Shore News, vol. -, Iss. -, pg. –
Place: Unknown
Writer: John Goodman

Canadian album of the week: Sarah McLachlan – Shine On

Sarah McLachlan: Shine On (Verve Records, released on May 7).

West Vancouver’s Sarah McLachlan recorded her eighth studio album (her first on the Verve label) in Montreal and Vancouver with longtime collaborator/producer Pierre Marchand as well as veteran West Coast music man Bob Rock.

Marchand has been an important part of her music for many years while Rock adds a new rock energy on the track “Flesh and Blood.” McLachlan worked with Nashville songwriters Blair Daly and Hillary Lindsey on the tune taking her even further outside of her comfort zone. That willingness to try out new things shines through on Shine On without messing with her trademark soulful sound. Other writers she works with on the album include Luke Doucet, Tom Douglas and Matt Morris.

McLachlan told the Wall Street Journal in an interview this week that she “listened to Peter Gabriel, the Smiths, the Cocteau Twins” growing up and there was “also plenty of Joni Mitchell, Cat Stevens and Simon & Garfunkel.” As a singer/songwriter she brings those influences into play throughout Shine On to shape the music.