Description
The self-titled and sophomore album by the American singer and songwriter Sarah Masen was released on re:think in 1996, distributed by EMI Music Distribution and Chordant Distribution Group. The album was produced by Charlie Peacock. All songs written by Sarah Masen except “Love” written by Victoria Williams.
I have a confession to make. Although I abhor the practice of drawing parallels between the music of two artists for the purpose of “pegging” one, I found while listening to Sarah Masen’s self-titled debut the uncontrollable urge to try and liken her to someone else. I began mentally scrolling through a list of names: Alanis Morrisette, Shawn Colvin, Emmylou Harris… well, sort of… but not excatly. I decided that Masen may well earn the distinct privilege of being “The singer who would not be defined.”
In an industry where cookie-cutter female artists and images are a dime a dozen, the only logical response to this singer/songwriter is a resounding, “Hallelujah!” Masen, a 20 year-old from Michigan, is definitely offering Christian music an approach that is fresh, original, unique and very creative. She wrote every song on the album (with the exception of «Love», a Victoria Williams cover) and travels beyond the path of trite metaphors and predictable outcomes; she thinks about things that most of us miss.
For instance, in «Break Hard the Wishbone», she draws a parallel between the mundane ticking of a clock and how our lives can become more a slave to structure than a peaceful place of rest in the freedom that Christ is offering. I will resist the temptation to quote lyrics and spoon-feeding the listener the message of this song (although I’m dying to) – subscribing to the belief that art loses something when it is over-explained, Make no mistake: this is not simply music, it is art.
This project has producer Charlie Peacock‘s signature all over it, but in a way that is complimentary to Masen’s artistic bent. Though she has been somewhat of Peacock’s protégé, she is definitely not his puppet. The music has been described as “pop-alternative,” and perhaps that’s as close as anyone might get. With eclectic arrangements and instruments including a clarint, a harmonica, and a mandolin, it keeps the listener guessing. It is fun, foot-loose and full of passion, which might well be a reflection of its composer.
For someone who has but two decades of life experience, this debut has unusual depth. If this first solo release on the re:think label is a shadow of things to come, Christian music is in for a fabulous face-lift. [Laura Harris, CCM, July 1996]
> Apple Music (https://music.apple.com/us/album/sarah-masen/723401618)
CD tracklist:
01. All Fall Down – 3:40
02. Break Hard The Wishbone – 5:02
03. Flames Of Truth – 4:30
04. Unveiled Faces – 4:21
05. Love – 3:51
06. Downtown – 4:32
07. Tuesday – 3:28
08. Come In – 3:14
09. Kissing Tree – 3:10
10. Fly Baby – 4:40
Enhanced section:
– The Songs
– All Fall Down Music Video
– The Family Garland
Note: Simultaneously released on cassette and (an enhanced) CD by re:think. The CD’s Enhanced Section contains “All Fall Down Music Video” (music video directed by Ben Pearson), “The Songs” (interview clips of Sarah talking about each song) and “The Family Garland” (family photos). A 12 page insert includes lyrics to all the songs.
A full-page advertisement for various releases on the newly established label re:think records – the multi-artist sampler one point oh: the re:think collection, label owner Charlie Peacock’s Strangelanguage, as well as Sarah Masen’s self-titled debut album – was featured in the July 1996 issue of CCM Magazine.
re:think to link consumers with AOL on enhanced CDs. (Billboard Magazine, April 13, 1996, page 6+96)
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