published: 10 /
9 /
2009
Label:
Slicethepie
Format: CD
No holds barred and frankly honest debut album from dynamic-voiced Scottish singer-songwriter, Sarah Grace
Review
Scottish singer-songwriter Sarah Grace manifests a Renaissance woman with her well-chiseled lyrics, celestial vocal delivery and classic, but versatile guitar playing.
Her debut, 'On the Fence', serves as a confluence of variegated melodies and emotionally accessible themes. What ties these themes together is the celebration of love and all its ambiguous strands.
'Come Fly With Me' begins with a positive spirit. Grace sings, “Put your trust in me and we won’t hit the ground”, as she cracks open the rhythm guitar then segues into the soulful bridge, “I know that it’s safer to walk than to run.” The gentle acoustic trickle heralds Grace’s melismatic skill. She waxes, “I will lay me down” rhapsodic.
Another ballad, 'Cry Me To Sleep' describes a failed fairy-tale – touchingly replayed against poignant arpeggios. Grace is unafraid of the “white space” that some artists are compelled to fill. That said, this tune is pretty, but sincerely stated.
'My Way' starts out with, “It’s okay if you want to sleep a little bit later….” Grace plays the understanding lover, but mid-song she confesses, “I’m tired of these foolish games we play” as she elaborates on her lover’s incapacity to give back. The mood is embellished by trails of tender keyboard flourishes.
The tune 'Break' is an infectious Calypso-turned Burlesque ode to romantic abandonment. “I might as well cut my losses now, there’s no way he’ll hang around.” This is a smart, sassy response sure to get some kindred souls riled up.
'Sing Me On My Way' adds to the balladry, this time with a direct insistence. “I’m tired of all the things I want to be, feel like running away but I got bills to pay.”
The solitary R & B contestant, 'No Win' examines a moral dilemma. “There’s someone else beside you now telling me things I haven’t heard in a long time.”It’s that critical fork in the road moment that Grace zeroes in on that creates an edgy suspense and allure.
'How Many Times' explores the cantankerous frustration and the lengths we’ll go to trying to forget and move on. “I joined the gym, I dyed my hair”, she assures us. Then she sets us completely straight by lamenting, “I don’t want those memories back.”
Grace really lets loose her dynamic voice amidst blatant blues harp and enthralling percussion in 'Give It To Me'. Hopefully, in her next release, we’ll hear more blues-inflected tunes like these.
The closer, austere 'Don’t Matter', backed by plaintive acoustic guitar, underscores her dynamic vocal texture. The bare bones – simply Sarah and six strings – do wonders for the soul.
In essence, 'On the Fence' is a no holds barred debut that explores the paradigm love so often presents through exceedingly introspective and honest lyrics, pulsatingly rich guitar progressions and a voice that tearfully and joyously commits to tearing apart the facade - unwrapping and revealing the entire – sometimes flawed – interior.
Sarah Grace may be hinting that she’s “on the fence” where matters of the heart are concerned, but her street-savy vocal delivery, universally appealing song-writing and plucky instrumental capabilities belie any suggestion that she’s a less than stellar artist
Track Listing:-