I've been a huge Sarah McLachlan for years, so I was really excited to hear her new album and to see if she stayed true to her original sound or if she seemed to stray. Either way, I was just looking forward to hearing something fresh from her.
If one thing is certain, it's that Sarah's soothing and like-no-other voice is just as powerful as it's ever been. The lyrics are thought-provoking, and the music is very soothing and relaxing.
One major difference between this and some of Sarah's other albums is that this one does have a few tracks that are definitely more upbeat. I'm a fan of all of her albums, but it's no secret that some of her past songs have seemed a bit depressing or sad - still amazing songs, just not all uplifting.
I would say Laws of Illusion is a nice blend of some more upbeat selections along with the slower, more relaxing songs that also have some heavier lyrics.
While this CD would be perfect as background music for a romantic dinner or be great while relaxing in a bubble bath, I'd also like to say that, as the mother of a two-year-old, this is a great CD for calming your nerves while driving your car with a toddler in the middle of a whine-fest.
All in all, 4 out of 5 stars. I really liked this CD, but at the same time, it didn't totally knock my socks off, either. But, I'm certainly not disappointed.