Michelle Mangio 2008-03-23
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
For anyone looking for some good music these days, look no further than Dark Fades into the Light, the North American debut of Australian music, Sandrine. I was privileged enough to receive an advance copy of the album to review, and it has quickly become one of my current favorites.
Her music is refreshing, ranging from uplifting and inspiring to thought-provoking and insightful. Sandrine's voice is rich and complex, revealing a maturity beyond her years. You won't be bored, either, with her album: different musical styles come together throughout the many songs to reveal her undeniable talent.
I could certainly speak a great deal about Sandrine's journey, from her beginnings singing with her family in her Father's ministry, to her hit release, Trigger, in Australia in 2004. And while it's an amazing journey, the real important thing here is her music. After all, she had problems before, once people saw the willowy blond girl she is, taking her seriously as both a songwriter and singer. They felt certain that such a pretty girl couldn't possibly be writing and singing the music she has penned by her own hand and sung with clear talent and emotion. Surely it was a record label gimmick?
The reality, though, is that Sandrine is an amazingly talented artist, and all good looks aside, she has truly proven that with her upcoming North American debut with Canadian Label Nettwerk Records, Dark Fades Into The Light.
She recorded her album with Grammy award-winning producer Malcolm Burn, the former Daniel Lanois protégé who has produced and/or played with such artists as Patti Smith, Bob Dylan, Emmylou Harris and Rachael Yamagata. "...I really liked the way Malcolm wanted to work," Sandrine says. "He does stuff really live and in a natural way. My first record sounded quite produced, and I didn't love it, so I wanted the next album to be a bit raw."
And while I would agree she achieved that "raw" edge, I also have to saw that the music is very catching, the melodies staying with you long after you've walked away. Her music is a creative blend of diverse elements, from classic sixties pop to a more modern neo-soul. The songs on her album range from upbeat to reflective melodies that tug at the heartstrings.
Dark Fades Into The Light starts with a very catchy song: "Let The Love", which I loved the instant I heard it. Very upbeat and easy to sing along with it, you find yourself already nodding your head in agreement with Sandrine's philosophy. It's a great song to start the day on, to put you in the right kind of mood to face anything.
From there, she eases into "Love & Pain", a seemingly upbeat song with surprising lyrics: questioning, insightful. And paving the way for the slower, introspective, "Immortal" which follows (which I confess is another favorite... the way she creates analogies between self-perceptions and wine is truly genius).
But don't let me tell you about every song! There are 15 total on her album, and each is a great song in its own right. From "Inertia" (and who hasn't found themselves caught in a state of inertia?) to "Late Night Insomnia" (with its incredibly moving vocal entwinement half-way through the song), to the upbeat "Where Do We Go?" that keeps your feet tapping, you won't be disappointed in this album.
So if you're looking for some fresh, new music, I highly recommend racing out to get your hands on a copy of Dark Fades Into The Light when it hits the stores on April 1. And then be the first to share her music with your friends - they'll be glad you did.
