Sarah McLachlan: Afterglow (2003)

Canadian singer, songwriter and three time Grammy-Award winner Sarah McLachlan released her fifth studio album- Afterglow in winter 2003. The record sold close to 5 million copies worldwide, receiving a massive 5x platinum status in Canada alone. The album topped the charts in both the US and Canada whilst here in the UK, it entered the top 40 making Afterglow McLachlan’s most successful UK entry to date. Although McLachlan has achieved international success over the last two decades, she still remains an unfamiliar musician among many Brits. On her side of the pond however, she is a household name having sold over 26 million records worldwide since her recording career began in 1988 with her debut album Solace. As for not repeating this success here, could it be that she is yet to be discovered on this side of the Atlantic?

Sarah’s is the kind of music you would hear in the movies, romantic-dramas especially where songs speak the language of the emotionally wounded when love is unrequited, lost or in yearning. Her single Angel received immense popularity after being used in this respect for many soundtracks and quite often for tributes. It was respectively used in mourning for those lost in the 9/11 tragedy. The song was famously featured in Brad Silberling’s City Of Angels (1998) which earned the soundtrack to the film a quadruple- platinum status and made Surfacing (1997), the album to which the song belonged- her biggest selling album to date. I was impressed enough with City Of Angels to call it one of my favourite films of all time and while the entire soundtrack was easy on the ears, it was the track Angel in particular that has just stayed with me ever since.

After having discovered the enchantingly mellow sound of McLachlan, I quickly became a fan of the songstress and now own most of her albums. Afterglow is one of my favourites from the collection for its uniquely comforting qualities. I believe that McLachlan has always had a voice touched by the heavens and Afterglow flaunts the versatility of her euphoric vocals once again. Arguably, her voice is her most powerful instrument. It is gentle yet full of such strength that it compliments the wonderfully orchestrated sound of each track. Her soft undertones are truly sublime and could leave anyone speechless. Answer and Time are tracks that particularly illustrate how her vocals can almost become one with the atmospheric classical-folksy sound of her music.

Fallen was the first track to be released from the album whose initial popularity sent record sales flying in the far west. The song is essentially about the acceptance of defeat. It’s about loss and the desperate desire to escape from a situation with no doors and while this means the lyrics are a touch pessimistic, the upbeat sound of the song is elevating and applies reassuring optimism. The tracks World On Fire and Stupid are also from a similar vein to Fallen. Both are extremely catchy and are most likely to become some of the firsts to grow on you. The rest of the tracks are like hidden gems, the more you uncover them, the more they will shine. For me, these gems are undoubtedly Perfect Girl and Train Wreck.

Perfect Girl translates as a goodbye song- a sincere, heartfelt goodbye song that takes the strain out of a bitter ending. It's extremely sophisticated and sung with such beautiful clarity that it is deeply enthralling. The song is certainly a grower so give it time and let it's breathtaking melody ripen in your ears for it could soon become your personal favourite too! The track is perfectly arranged and reveals McLachlan as an outstanding pianist, especially during her piano solo in the last minute of the song. The easygoing Train Wreck is wonderfully poetic and lyrically one of the strongest tracks of the album. The song seems to be in yearning for a love that would soon erase the pain of a broken heart. It’s a feel good feather-lite rock song that is possibly the most romantic track of the ten. World On Fire is a political track that demonstrates McLachlan’s philanthropic ways. This inspirational song suggests how for some, a little can mean a lot- especially for those living in third-world poverty as the video to the track illustrates.

Dirty Little Secret takes me to a place very close to home. It’s a song about regret, the regret we carry with us when the things we wanted to say the most weren’t said... and then it’s too late. Surprisingly enough, the song isn’t as heavy on the heart as you would imagine. It’s strangely nurturing and takes you to a place of comfort through your pain, and if you’re not in pain, it’s simply a great chill-out track to unwind to. Drifting, Time and Answer are tracks that will radiate a sense of warmth around you. They’re like lullabies for the experienced and an incarnation of the truth that lies within your heart. They’re decadent and raw- And this is part of what makes this album so unbelievably magical.

Afterglow is McLachlan’s most ethereal album yet. Every track tells a story- a story about a time and a place where we all have been (or will be at some point in our lives). It achieves a strange sense of optimism through its pessimism that flows with eloquence, song after song. With a voice that could melt steel, McLachlan delivers a unique blend of chill-out music that resonates and like time- is a great healer. McLachlan is due to release her greatest hits album Closer: The Best of Sarah McLachlan early this October, while the European release date has been pushed back to February ’09. The album would be a great introduction for those who aren't familiar with Sarah McLachlan and will feature two tracks of new material- Don’t give up on us and U want me 2 which reflect the strain of McLachlan's recent seperation from her husband.

So until then, be sure to grace your stereos with the blissful sound of Afterglow. The album is produced, engineered and mixed by the visionary Pierre Marchand who has truly managed to ignite the magic created by McLachlan- and while this isn't the first time the two have collaborated for the production of an album, Afterglow seems to be one of their greatest efforts yet. There is not one dull song in the entire album, each tells a different story that carries a suited melody. The album paints an honest picture of the experienced and of all the feelings we like to hide- it is truly amazing, so be sure to listen to it if you haven't already. McLachlan is, without a doubt, one of the greatest musicians of our time. Hers is the kind of music we can all relate to and Afterglow... could be the soundtrack of your life.

'Music is my escape. Music is my refuge. I could crawl into the space between the notes and curl my back to loneliness. Music is the soundtrack to life; it explains perfectly what can not be put into words'

- Maya Angelou: Gather Together In My Name.
(First edition published in 1974)

Sci Fi Day: (Part Two) Transformers (2007)

Unlike the rather complex Donnie Darko, you only need half a brain to enjoy our last film of the day. So if you’re thinking of watching Transformers then turn on your TV and switch off your brain for some mindless robot on robot action. The film follows a high school student whose mediocre life becomes fantasy when his old Camaro transforms into Autobot Bumblebee: The boy’s guardian in a war against the evil Decepticons.

The film is non-stop entertainment from start to finish with some very cool robot fighting footage seen throughout this action adventure. The graphical imagery was all pretty impressive and it all seemed very real. It's amazing how much attention to detail they have put into making it look this good. Although most of it was composed with CGI (Computer-Generated Imagery), Spielberg encouraged Bay to restrict the use of CGI to the robots and background elements in the action sequences which, I think, gave the film more of a realistic feel. At times the robot fight scenes were extremely close-up and in your face which made the super-sonic action a bit difficult to keep up with. I hope Bay will hit the minus button a few times on the 'zoom' front where the next film is concerned!

My favourite performances of the film are delivered from the Autobots themselves. They all have their own personalities which make them all the more loveable and amusing to watch. It avoided any opportunity where you would be calling any one of them an “it”. Peter Cullen, the voice behind Optimus Prime's character was wise and worldly and he was quite paternal which made him appear extremely comforting and an all round good leader. Did you know that Cullen once was the voice of Eeyore in Winnie the Pooh?

Bumblebee was just a gesturing genius. Despite having lost his voice during battle, his actions throughout the film suggest more than words ever could. He is a man's best friend and is there definitely more than what meets the eye through his yellow and black exterior (don't forget to notice the bee hanging on Bumblebee's windscreen which reads "Bee Otch"- check that attitude!) As for the humans in the film, I'm not entirely convinced. Shia LaBeouf (pronounced SHY-uh luh-Buff) in particular I thought was generally ok if a little flawed in his role as Sam Witwicky.

There were moments in the film where I felt his reaction wasn’t quite the appropriate or believable for the scene at hand. It may be an opinion many may not share with me, but I'm afraid he just doesn't do it for me (sorry ladies... oh and Ian hehe). As he’s a current Hollywood favourite, I’m hoping he will change my mind someday. The rest of the characters deliver a promising performance. This film's an all round entertainer- a definite recommendation for anyone who enjoys some straightforward action-packed Sci Fi madness. Bay’s next chapter from the franchise is just around the corner- Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen is due to be released in the summer of ’09- can't wait!

For Ian's take on Transformers, click here.

Thanks for your patience with our slightly extended version of Sci-Fi Day. I hope you guys enjoyed our line-up and will equally enjoy our upcoming genre which will be announced in the near future so watch this space.

Beeeeee Goooood!

Sci Fi Day: (Part Two) Donnie Darko (2001) The Director's Cut

Some would say that Donnie Darko is like marmite, either you love it or you hate it. Well, I’ve just seen Donnie Darko for the first time which has secretly left me asking for more (which is more than I can say about marmite!) Unlike the sticky dark-brown paste, the film leaves you with a curious aftertaste and a relentless fascination that stays with you for a while.

Most of this fascination stems from the film’s ambiguity. Richard Kelly’s Sci Fi psychodrama poses many thought provoking questions where fate, destiny, time and the existence of God are all put under the spotlight. The film oozes so much depth that it is impossible to absorb it all from a first time viewing. It’s a film that’ll give you something new to think about each time you watch it.

Donald J. Darko, our spiritual superhero, is played by the very talented Jake Gyllenhaal who delivers a memorable performance as the troubled teenager who sets off to uncover the truth about time travelling after being told by a vision dressed in a menacing bunny suit that the world will come to an end in exactly 28 days, 6 hours, 42 minutes and 12 seconds (which is weird considering the film was made in exactly 28 days- spooky!).

Gyllenhaal added a very dark, satirical element to his character which I thought worked really well for the film and its general idea. There were some very poignant and creepy moments which could also categorize the film as a horror/suspense thriller. The Film is about overcoming the fear of dying alone; it’s about a man who saves the world and most of all, its a meaningful love story unlike any other I’ve seen. A lot of things in the film are left unexplained- things we may never be able to explain. It questions life and the essence of our being. It makes us wonder about the bigger things in life which is what I think makes this film so amazing.

For Ian's take on Donnie Darko, click here.

Sci Fi Day: (Part Two) E.T: The Extra-Terrestrial (1982)

What makes this film an all time classic is how it manifests a blend of four extremely well done genres into one successful viewing for all the family. In other words, E.T. is so much more than just your average Sci Fi film- it’s also a children’s fantasy, a family drama as well as a Sci Fi adventure film which serves a treat for all. Nearly three decades later, the film still manages to preserve these genres well while the sentimental value of the film still remains powerful as ever, making it one of the greatest tearjerkers of all time- (yes, I did find myself fighting back the tears even now!).

All this is achieved from some spectacular performances from our child actors, Henry Thomas and Drew Barrymore who really made us laugh and cry in all the right parts- (something many adult actors have failed to accomplish!). We could argue that child actors are the best kind of actors, after all, children aren’t as experienced as adults and so their only resources would be their real reactions and emotions to things they encounter in the scenes. They express this sense of truth in their performances which has managed to win us over so well.

Drew Barrymore as the mischievous Gertie was my favourite performance of the entire film. How can a seven year old kid (who is just so adorable by the way) possess sarcasm and wit as traits? (and why can’t all kids be like that?!) With an amazing performance from Barrymore at such a young age, we are anything but surprised at how successful her acting career has been as an adult (which we’ll be seeing very shortly with Donnie Darko). The alien is naturally very cute with sympathy evoking features which represents a child’s imaginary friend that comes to life.

E.T. was the film of my childhood- a film that I never got tired of watching over and over again. It had been some years before I ventured back to it once again for Sci Fi day and I’m really glad I did- it brought me back to a time when life was a little more carefree and magical. E.T. is a wonderful timeless tale about friendship and an all round great Spielberg Sci Fi family film.

For Ian’s take on E.T. click here.

Sci Fi Day: Aliens Vs Predator: Requiem (2007)

This was one of the films I was looking forward to the most because it was the only one neither of us had seen yet (not counting Deja Vu which we may or may not watch). Coming from someone who’s quite fond of the Alien and Predator franchises, the Strause brothers’ instalment from the AVP saga was abysmal which if anything is being kind. We managed to suss out the survivors very early on into the film where the characters are being introduced and so the plot couldn’t have been more predictable.

The film’s only original idea was the pregnant lady’s chest/tummy buster scene which was poorly executed. The rest of the gore was nothing we hadn’t seen before which was pretty boring to watch. I felt that AVPR tried to be a slasher movie as much as a science fiction/horror film- Ian; I’m with you on this one. I suppose a triple combo of these genres could have worked if done properly, but in this case, I think they failed miserably. Let’s just hope that this is the last time we see Aliens and Predators in the same film and if they must make any future films, they should get back to their original roots.

For an Alian’s perpective on AVPR, click here.

Unfortunately we didn’t get around to watching all the films but we’ll be finishing them off in the not too distant future, so watch this space!

Sci Fi Day: Phase IV (1974)

To say that this film is cringe-worthy would be an understatement. For those of you who don’t know me, I don’t deal very well with insects; in fact, I hate them! There were a couple of times where I physically flinched and elbowed Ian much to his discomfort thinking ants were actually crawling on me! So apart from wearing the same painful expression throughout the film, I must admit that Phase IV was a completely different breed of Sci Fi than I’ve ever seen. More than anything, I really enjoyed the concept of insect intelligence which is something rarely seen in the serious science fiction genre.

The film was very much like The Discovery Channel at times with close-up shots monitoring ant activity where even the finest of ant hairs were picked up and then of course there is the mantis devouring the ant scene which was disturbing but cool. There was a particular ‘ant crawling out of a palm’ scene which reminded me of Luis Bunuel’s rather bizarre short film Un Chien Andalou (1929)- both equally disturbing. The ending was somewhat ambiguous which wasn’t completely satisfying but perhaps in keeping with the rest of the film. An interesting watch, but not sure I’d want to see it again (plus the ants may give me nightmares!).

For fanboy’s perspective on Phase IV click here.

Sci Fi Day: Godzilla aka Gojira (1954)

This was one of the films I recommended for the day because it carried a lot of pleasant childhood memories, well, at least I thought it did. After watching it, I’ve realised that this Japanese subtitled original isn’t the version of Godzilla I remember watching as a child- I’m sure of this because I don’t remember being this bored! I felt like skipping to the good bits but Ian wouldn’t let me have the remote. It just goes to show that an original isn’t necessarily always the best, Ishirô Honda may have created Godzilla but others, in my opinion, have certainly improved on it. The monster itself I thought was really cute, anyone else agree?

Despite the film itself being just as slow paced as the giant reptile of the title, it will always remain a classic Sci Fi movie that introduced one of cinema’s greatest monsters. It’s a shame its just so incredibly dull! Although, I did manage to find my own little way of amusing myself when we see Godzilla chewing on the tower- I couldn’t help but think of that famous Chewits advert, you know the one - “I like to chew it, chew it. I like to...CHEW IT!”

For Ian's take on Godzilla click here.