Sarah Jaffe
Suburban Nature (Kirtland)
By Jobana Soto
Published: May 17th, 2010 | 7:00am
It’s a rare treat to hear an album that expresses such deep and personal emotions, but the surprise is short-lived once you get to know Texas singer-songwriter Sarah Jaffe. Her mantra is respecting the craft of music and songwriting, and she proves it on her debut album, Suburban Nature.
The catchy opener, “Before You Go,” sets the scene for what's in store—folk music at its best. But don’t be scared by another Feist clone. Though Jaffe’s vocals may be an octave or two lower than the “1234” star, she wins with a more organic sound and style that is her own. Highlight “Clementine” is about the complicated emotions of love. Paired with melodramatic wails of violins, Jaffe sings with a glimmer of hope for unstable relationships everywhere. For a song to tickle your funny bone, have fun with “Perfect Plan.” It stands out from the rest yet complements the album in the way Jaffe uses her vocals and acoustics.
Suburban Nature is an emotionally packed album with a spiritual feel, creating a soothing escape from the saturated mess of mainstream folk. It sounds like the folk world has a new princess rising.
__
Sarah Jaffe official Web site
Sarah Jaffe MySpace page
Issue #39
Comments
Want to tell us what you think? Please click here to log in or just click here for quick comments
DJPier (about 1 year)
Nice article. I agree, this is a terrific album. Sarah Jaffe found a sound and style all her own. I think the song 'Vulnerable' is going to be a big hit. With no intro, it starts with a catchy lyric "You're such a baby.... it's just a nose bleed"... that draws you in. Then, when the chorus comes in it's pop genius - "Wake... me up... just to call me... Sleeping Beauty"... good luck getting this song out of your head once you hear it! I've seen her live twice and can testify that she's the real thing. Sincerely.