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Rating: 8 tracks for the debut (1998) of a nineteen-year-old Sarah Slean, which showcases all the excellent credentials that will later be highlighted on the subsequent "Blue Parade" and "Night Bugs". It's a Slean who is still a bit raw, but already capable of delivering evocative melodies and moments of rare beauty, quite impressive for her age.
"Angel" features subtle electronic inserts, although its validity is excessively influenced by heavy Amos-inspired elements, just like "Me & Jerome", which despite a brilliant piano approach, lacks the vocal expressiveness that should be credited largely for her recent releases. "Weight" (one of the standout tracks from the aforementioned "Night Bugs"), here present in a primordial version, and the interesting cover of "Climbing Up The Walls" (Radiohead), are adequate, while the spiritual pieces "Pie Jesu" (an acapella rendition of Gabriel Faurè's classic), and "John XXIII" (remarkable backing vocals) do not shine, but rather feel like a forced attempt to take themselves too seriously.
A completely different story is the subdued "I Know" and the magnificent "Universe" (here given an exceptional performance): The piano remains the predominant element, the Canadian feels decidedly at ease with it, and it is precisely these two episodes, entrusted to the infallible simplicity of the voice-piano pairing, that turn out to be the best moments of an overall satisfying work.
Tracklist and Lyrics
01 Weight (02:53)
What did I give to you
What did you give to me
A nothing-trail of silences that warp in the rain
You said I don't really know the reason
It's just not the same
What a vacant breath and when,
When you say my name
And do you know the weight I'm under
When everything revolves around you you you you
Soon the shoulder falls
All forgotten handshakes
Names like falling leaves
Apathy will spread like wildfire
Take you away from me
I'm leaning out the window
Gonna catch the August rain
I'm gonna fill your mouth up
Make you live again
And do you know the weight I'm under
When everything revolves around you you you you
Soon the shoulder falls.
44 Climbing Up the Walls (05:12)
I am the key to the lock in your house
That keeps the toys in the basement
And if you get too far inside
You'll only see my reflection
I am her face when she sleeps tonight
I am the pick in the ice
Do not cry out or hit the alarm
'Cause we are friends 'til we die
And any way you turn I'll be there
Open up your skull I'll be there
Climbing up the walls
Climbing up the walls
It's always better when the light is off
It's always best on the outside
And in the crack of your waning smile
Fifteen blows to your mind
O so tuck the kids in safe tonight
And shut the eyes in the cupboard
Do not cry out or hit the alarm
You'll get the loneliest feeling
That any way you turn I'll be there
Open your skull I'll be there
Climbing up the walls
Climbing up the walls
Climbing up the walls
I am the key to the lock in your house
That keeps the toys in the basement
And if you get too far inside
You'll only see my reflection
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