SMASHING THE SERENE

BALLADS & BURLESQUE	PUBLIC RECORD	THE BLISTERINGSUN	PAINTING OF APAINTING	ILLUSION'S CARNIVAL
MORBID ROMANTIC	Chandelier 'Chandelier' is the eighth album by New York songstress and Mpress Records founder Rachael Sage. Self-produced by Sage, recorded by John Shyloski and mixed by Grammy Wiinner Kevin Killen (Elvis Costello, U2), the album is filled with what MOJO Magazine d	One Cell In the Sea A Fine Frenzy is actually just a fine young singer-songwriter from Seattle, born Alison Sudol. A self-taught piano player, on her debut album she pairs sweeping orchestral arrangements with dreamlike lyrics inspired by the classic works of fantasy writers like CS Lewis, EB White,...	Children Running Through On her fifth studio CD, folk-rocker Patty Griffin employs three timeless themes--childhood, flight, and death--to craft her most musically diverse and accessible album yet. But while moving through jazz, beatnik, classic and modern folk, gospel R&B, Americana, and moody piano...	Courage With her first album in eight years, there seems to be little doubt that Paula Cole is aiming to shake the Sarah McLachlan-wannabe tag that has hung with her since the days of Lilith Fair. Though she rode the alternative wave during those times to her eventual notoriety, this tim...

Sistersong, indeed.
Sistersong has turned out to be somewhat of a feminist anthem since Rachael toured with Ani DiFranco in support of this record. Since then, Rachael has become an indie maven and released a slew of other brilliant CD's. I love seeing her live, but her records are classics for any collection. This is a must have.

A fantastic sophomore release...
Though released nationwide before her 1996 debut ("Morbid Romantic") found a distributor, "Smashing the Serene" is actually Rachael's sophomore album, and it doesn't disappoint. The album marks the first time she recorded with a full band. Highlights include "My Eliza," "Conversation," and "Sistersong," which was written for Ani Difranco, whom she opened for on her 1998 tour.

Great Independent Musician
I bought a copy of "Smashing the Serene" based on the reviews comparing Rachael Sage to Ani DiFranco. After listening to the CD for the first time, I decided that yes, there were a lot of similarities between Rachael and Ani. Their voices and singing styles, for example, are remarkably similar. But I found myself disappointed with Rachael's lyrics. Ani approaches everything head on--she's a fierce poet/warrior/songstress. Rachael on the other hand skirts issues--her lyrics are prettier, sketchier. She also has a curious habit of repeating phrases (like "smashing the serene") in several songs. After a few weeks of listening, however, "Smashing the Serene" began to grow on me. The songs "Sistersong," "Crack of Dawn," and especially "Brave" are incredibly beautiful. I realized how wonderful Rachael Sage's music was in its own right, got excited, and made all my friends listen to the CD. There's a lesson to be learned here, one that I'm ashamed I hadn't learned sooner. Comparisons can only get you so far. And I'm sorry for thinking that Rachael's lyrics were weak and insignificant; after all, how much more candid can you get than "I need to focus on ugly, or I'll try to be so pretty I will bust"?Wow.

One of the Best Artists You've Never Heard Of
Rachael Sage has created an amazing work of music art with this album, and sadly, because of going the independent route, so few people know about her. I, like many others, found out about her after a download of 'Sistersong' [from a download site] - finally, after managing to find another few songs, I was convinced she was worthwhile to purchase, and ordered Smashing the Serene.I was totally unprepared for how amazing the album would turn out to be - but I guess I shouldn't have been, considering she toured with Ani DiFranco, after Ani heard the album.Her style is difficult to describe, because of the diversity of her musical influences - the Irish influences are quite noticable, but the Middle Eastern and Russian ones come through now and again also. Vocally, she's somewhere in a mix of Jewel, Tori Amos, Ani DiFranco, and the Indigo Girls, yet none of them - but fans of any of them should have no problem finding Rachael great to listen to.The album has a variety in her type of music - Sistersong is nice, upbeat, and inviting. Cultivate, Crack of Dawn, and My Eliza offer a slower, more contemplative sound. Overall, I am so glad to have found Rachael, as the CD remains one of my favorites.

Like Lisa Loeb squared!
OMG. I bought this CD on a random whim, after I accidentally downloaded "Sistersong" and loved it. I definitely don't regret it. Rachael's CD has wonderfully written lyrics, and her own gorgeous voice. Her piano-playing is also fabulous. If you like Tori Amos, Lisa Loeb, or anything along those lines... do yourself a favor and buy this CD!