Dedicated fans of
Sarah McLachlan had a lot to buy in 2008, when the Canadian songwriter issued three retrospective albums.
Rarities, B-Sides & Other Stuff, Vol. 2 led the pack in April, followed by a deluxe edition of
Fumbling Toward Ecstasy several months later.
Closer: The Best of Sarah McLachlan brought up the rear, arriving in October and compiling
McLachlan's greatest hits along with two new songs. "Don't Give Up on Us" and "U Want Me 2" are standard
McLachlan tunes, mixing adult contemporary songcraft with the soothing, evergreen vocals that helped her rise to prominence. As always, producer
Pierre Marchand helms both of those new songs, and his presence throughout this compilation -- not to mention
McLachlan's steady songcraft -- helps make
Closer a consistent, unified work. Casual fans will find what they need in the regular 16-track version, while diehards might want to look at the two-disc version, which includes additional songs and several remixes. [A deluxe edition was also released.] ~ Andrew Leahey