July 2006 Featured CD Review
Substantiated Sighting---Colleen McFarland
Beautiful Lie
"Sorrowfully beautiful songs by an extraordinary vocal artist" Rob Lincoln, cdreviewsonline.com
Colleen McFarland is a performer you do not forget. The first time I saw her on stage it became evident within moments that I was hearing a truly major talent. Her jaw dropping vocal abilities that she displayed that night and on her two highly acclaimed CDs, Speaking In Rhymes (1998) and Three Miles From Odessa (2001) are part of what makes her stand out among many other fine singer songwriters. In Beautiful Lie, her long awaited third release, she takes a more subtle path, eschewing her gospel and rhythm and blues influences and concentrating on a very meditative country influenced approach. The result is her most moving work yet. It is a CD that requires repeated listens, as many of the songs do not come at you right away, (although the lead off track is extremely catchy and deserves serious airplay). This is a CD that is highly intimate and occassionally painful as it mostly deals with the end of a relationship. But it is also cathartic both for the listener (and I suspect the performer) as it moves toward a positive resolution with two of the strongest songs on the CD, the uplifting The Best Is Yet To Come and the catchy country ditty The Perfect Ending. The favorite songs are:
1) Ten Years-This first cut is immediately riveting in its angst as well as its seriously catchy hook. It would fit perfectly on adult alternative playlists as well as alt country stations. It almost sounds like its been around forever---always a sign that a great song has been born.
2) Rain- Like many of the songs on this CD, the singer bares her soul and shares the pain of a relationship that has ended. This one in particular moves me because of its honest statement that may not seem particularly attractive, but completely human...especially for an artist who has a creative outlet to express her hurt. "I want you to see all this rain comin down on me." It also displays her subtleties as a vocalist and her ability to move the listener with a simple catch in her voice.
3) The Best Is Yet To Come- Is the only song on this CD that hints at McFarland's explosive power as a vocalist. There is a bit of gospel feel in this one. The message is clear and universal. It is also much needed after the contemplatively beautiful songs that come before it.
4) Cross The Line- This is a fine country song that one could hear a number performers covering. McFarland sings it with a breathy restraint and the entire song is barely three minutes...simple, succinct and perfect. It sounds like a classic.
5) A Cold Wind Blows- Of many fine songs about the dissolution of a relationship, this one appears to be a different type of loss. I can't tell whether someone she knew was killed in an airplane crash or on 9/11. But it doesn't really matter. This song contains the most memorable line of the cd "I'd like to turn this day right into tomorrow." Anyone who has suffered through loss can understand that.
6) The Perfect Ending- Pure country without the alt. This tune that ends the CD has a very different feel with traditional country instrumentation and a McFarland vocal with some extra country twang. It leaves you with a smile, though you may shed a few tears along the way.
7) The Last Cloud- Contains some of the most beautiful instrumental work on the CD. The song soars once the string section comes in.
I was extremly impressed with the production on this CD. When I looked to see who produced it, it was none other than the artist herself, Colleen McFarland. This was quite an accomplishment. She sang, played acoustic guitar and produced this CD in addition to writing all the songs for this generously long CD--16 songs in all!
I recommend this CD for anyone wanting to hear beautiful songs with a country flavor that are highly emotional and personal. I also recommend everyone who appreciates a great vocalist to catch this performer live, you will not be disappointed.
For more information on this artist go to colleenmcfarland.com.