Rachel Sage

Public Record

2003-10-23

On Rachael Sage's fifth release, the former ballet dancer and commercial voiceover star leaves no emotional stone unturned, employing a style of music some have termed "folk noir," Sage sings about love and relationships with dense poetic lyrics amid
musical backdrops that careen from rock to classical to jazz to Middle Eastern.  It's gotta be tough to write music to go with lines such as:  "I crocheted secrets like a blanket" and "Am I just black coal your courage is burning" or "I'm so tired from the wrong kind of rest and restlessness" --- but more often than not, she pulls it off.  To me, the most arresting song is "Someone Save Me/The Oil and Water", which Sage wrote the lyrics for as a mere eleven-year-old.  Talk about precocious!  This stuff ain't for Britney Spears fans; get out your thesaurus and psychology textbooks and listen up.

Quick Links:

More reviews tagged #Folk

  • reviewed 03/2017

    Byrd & Street
    This Much Is True

  • reviewed 08/2016

    Lee Bob & The Truth
    The Light LP

  • reviewed 09/2014

    BRIANNA LEA PRUETT
    GYPSEY BELLS

  • reviewed 12/2012

    THE HANGDOG HEARTS
    The Hangdog Hearts

  • reviewed 01/2004

    Dar Williams
    The Beauty of the Rain

  • reviewed 01/2006

    CAT POWER
    The Greatest

Compiled by the WYCE Journalism Club

The opinions expressed in these reviews are those of the individual volunteers that submitted the article and do not necessarily reflect the views of WYCE or GRCMC; nor its staff, donors, or affiliates.