Rachael Sage
Ballads & Burlesque

(MPress)

First Appeared in The Music Box, November 2004, Volume 11, #11

Written by Brad Podray

Critics from such big name publications as Billboard and the Boston Globe have been fawning all over Rachael Sage, and for once, the hype is justified. Her latest offering Ballads & Burlesque is a powerful, soul-infused opus that exquisitely highlights her extraordinary talents. In mixing a heavy dose of Lisa Loeb with an adequate amount of Ani DiFranco, adding a pinch of Tori Amos, and simmering it all in a marinating broth of Alanis Morissette, Sage successfully crafts an alluring concoction that perfectly demonstrates her impressive stylistic range. The surrounding instrumentation is supplied with the utmost care by an impressive crew of knowledgeable musicians, and the end result lacks any sign of the type flamboyance that frequently fills such pop-driven, atmospheric efforts. Subtle and revealing, her sweetly soothing voice glazes over the arrangements in such a beautiful and original way that the entire album suitably encompasses the emotional meaning of her lyrics. In other words, while Sage might not be a household name yet, her talents far and away exceed many of those who are. ½

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Ratings

1 Star: Pitiful
2 Stars: Listenable
3 Stars: Respectable
4 Stars: Excellent
5 Stars: Can't Live Without It!!

Copyright © 2004 The Music Box