Although 1991's Solace made Sarah McLachlan a star in Canada, her international breakthrough arrived two years later with Fumbling Towards Ecstasy, a softly assured album that combined the atmospheric production of Pierre Marchand (a former apprentice -- and evident disciple -- of Daniel Lanois) with some of McLachlan's strongest songwriting to date. At the center of everything was her voice, an ethereal, lilting soprano that helped pave the way for Paula Cole, Lillith Fair, and a decade's worth of successful female ...
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Although 1991's Solace made Sarah McLachlan a star in Canada, her international breakthrough arrived two years later with Fumbling Towards Ecstasy, a softly assured album that combined the atmospheric production of Pierre Marchand (a former apprentice -- and evident disciple -- of Daniel Lanois) with some of McLachlan's strongest songwriting to date. At the center of everything was her voice, an ethereal, lilting soprano that helped pave the way for Paula Cole, Lillith Fair, and a decade's worth of successful female songwriters. McLachlan utilized the crack between her chest and head voice, emphasizing the changing tones as her melodies climbed into the vocal stratosphere. She was also comparatively young at the time of Ecstasy's release, and her combination of vocal hooks and commercial appeal wouldn't be fully mastered until 1997's Surfacing. Even so, McLachlan's work was rarely as raw or honest as it is here, where tales of sin, lust, and love are delivered alongside piano arpeggios and electronic flourishes. "Possession," the album's lead-off single, is a jarring love ballad with lyrics inspired by a stalker's correspondence. There's a double-edged quality to the song's eerie lines -- "I'll take your breath away," "I won't be denied," "Just close your eyes, dear" -- and Marchand underscores that tension by setting McLachlan's melodies to a nocturnal trip-hop beat. Elsewhere, the two lighten up with "Ice Cream," which likens love's sweetness to decadent deserts, yet Fumbling Towards Ecstasy takes most of its strength from the lush, rhythmic dreamscapes that dominate the album. Alternately dark and shimmering, intimate and ornate, soothing and slyly unsettling, Fumbling Towards Ecstasy launched McLachlan's international star power while setting a high bar for her future albums, many of which approached -- but not never quite eclipsed -- this career highlight. [An extended "legacy edition" of Fumbling Towards Ecstasy was released in 2008, commemorating the album's 15-year anniversary with a three-disc package comprising the original album, the gold-certified Freedom Sessions, and a live DVD filmed in 1994.] ~ Andrew Leahey, Rovi
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Add this copy of Fumbling Towards Ecstasy (Legacy Edition) to cart. $11.82, good condition, Sold by Dream Books Co. rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Denver, CO, UNITED STATES, published 2008 by Arista/Legacy.
Add this copy of Fumbling Towards Ecstasy (Legacy Edition) to cart. $12.81, fair condition, Sold by Goodwill of Orange County rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Santa Ana, CA, UNITED STATES, published 2008 by Arista/Legacy.
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Seller's Description:
Fair. This item has very light surface scratches that do not affect the use of the disc/s. This is a USED item. Case and cover may or may not have wear or damage. All items unless otherwise noted will include disc, case, and artwork. Codes have been used. Other contents such as booklets may vary, please inquire for details. All items ship Monday-Friday within 2-3 business days.
Add this copy of Fumbling Towards Ecstasy (Legacy Edition) to cart. $12.82, good condition, Sold by Goodwill rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Brooklyn Park, MN, UNITED STATES, published 2008 by Arista/Legacy.
This album marks the first success for this extraordinary artist and is an essential part of her discography. Her songs are passionate and touching and she performs with a band at the top levels of musical performance.
In this package you find the original CD, the Freedom Session CD (alternate takes and bonus tracks) and a DVD with the taping of a show and interviews. This DVD is also very interesting to explore the artist's personality. As bonus-in-bonus there are also the music videos of the albums singles. A hard to find item definitely recommended.
![Fumbling Towards Ecstasy [Bonus CD/DVD]](https://www3.alibris-static.com/images/elements/image_coming_soon.png)
![Fumbling Towards Ecstasy [Import Bonus Track]](https://www2.alibris-static.com/fumbling-towards-ecstasy-import-bonus-track/cover/d73706kwy7h.jpg)
