The Essential
Sarah McLachlan · 2013
151 min · 36 tracks · pop rock · soft rock · adult contemporary music
A collection of haunting melodies and introspective lyrics that showcase McLachlan's ethereal voice and emotional depth.
Why this album works
'The Essential' solidified Sarah McLachlan's legacy by achieving significant commercial success, reaching No. 4 on the Billboard 200 chart. The album not only compiles beloved hits but also introduces new audiences to her work, reinforcing her influence on the adult contemporary genre and inspiring a generation of artists with its emotional resonance.
- Best for
- wave-like pacing with emotional depth introspective moments for quiet reflection haunting melodies for late-night solitude
- Context
- Released in 2013, 'The Essential' serves as a comprehensive anthology of Sarah McLachlan's career, capturing her evolution from the early '90s to her status as a major figure in adult contemporary music. This compilation highlights pivotal tracks from her discography while marking a period of reflection after her previous studio album, 'Shine,' released in 2008.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Gordon Lightfoot· Shania Twain· The Guess Who· Barenaked Ladies· Crash Test Dummies· Sum 41· The Tragically Hip· Garou
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
Disc 1
- 1 Vox 4:52
- 2 Steaming 4:44
- 3 Ben's Song 4:55
- 4 The Path of Thorns (Terms) 5:51
- 5 Into the Fire 3:30
- 6 Drawn to the Rhythm (live) 5:17
- 7 Back Door Man (live) 5:03
- 8 Possession Standout 4:40
- 9 Good Enough 5:04
- 10 Elsewhere 4:45
- 11 Fear 4:00
- 12 Ice Cream (Freedom session) 2:35
- 13 Hold On (Freedom session) 6:45
- 14 Dear God 3:55
- 15 I Will Remember You (studio version) 4:52
- 16 Building a Mystery Standout 4:08
- 17 Sweet Surrender 4:02
Disc 2
- 1 Adia 4:04
- 2 Angel Standout 4:30
- 3 Silence (radio edit) 4:07
- 4 When She Loved Me 3:04
- 5 Blackbird 2:21
- 6 The Rainbow Connection 3:31
- 7 Fallen 3:48
- 8 Stupid 3:25
- 9 World on Fire 4:24
- 10 Push (live) 3:47
- 11 Witness (live) 5:27
- 12 Time After Time 4:18
- 13 River 4:02
- 14 Ordinary Miracle 3:04
- 15 Don't Give Up on Us 3:39
- 16 U Want Me 2 4:08
- 17 Loving You Is Easy 3:04
- 18 Forgiveness 3:50
- 19 Illusions of Bliss 3:52
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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