Fumbling Towards Ecstasy by Sarah McLachlan

Pros: Songs, lyrics, voice, instruments, emotion...this is a PERFECT album.
Cons: ...

There was a time when I found little solace in female voices. I found myself constantly leaning toward heavier, more aggressive rock. One of the few exceptions was later granted to Canadian singer/songwriter Sarah McLachlan.

...

Pros: Lyrics and voice, Moments of music
Cons: Largely overproduced

I cannot think of an album I have been looking forward to listening to more in recent memory than Sarah McLachlan's "Fumbling Towards Ecstasy." It has been hailed by fans as McLachlan's masterpiece and hearing rarities and live versions of some of the ...

Pros: Artistic, beautiful, introspective and poetic
Cons: Not for those in denial or who do not want to examine personal issues.

It was the summer of 1994 and one of the darkest times of my life. Confused about who I was, where I was going and dealing with my share of personal demons, I needed music beyong top 40 love songs and ballads of lost love. I needed an outlet. I needed...

Pros: Hypnotic, gently pulsing tunes delivered with poise and grace.
Cons: Stronger and better-defined melodies would be a big help.

Following two albums that made her a success in her homeland, Canadian singer-songwriter Sarah McLachlan was able to break into the mainstream with the launch of her third disc, “Fumbling Towards Ecstasy”. While its successor “Surfacing” ...

Pros: Fifteen words doesn't do anywhere near enough justice.
Cons: Not a singular one.

Before this album was released, Sarah was a relative unknown. Her two previous efforts, "Touch" and "Solace," made next to no impact on the buying public. "Fumbling Towards Ecstacy," while not cracking the Top 40 on the album charts, had quite a long...

Pros: The passion is clear in each note without a single gimmick, consistent quality.
Cons: I have no reasonable complaints.

My hypnosis began with Into the Fire. I turned up the indie radio station as I zipped along Austin's I-35. Who is that?

When Fumbling Towards Ecstasy was released, I was in that gentle state somewhere between being...

Pros: Lots of emotion - Sarah's best album
Cons: none

Pros: Thought-provoking lyrics, heartfelt and emotional collection of songs
Cons: Not best if you want a boost of sunshine

Nearing a decade after its release, "Fumbling Towards Ecstasy" remains one of my favorite albums by Sarah McLachlan.

I was first introduced to Sarah McLachlan by a former co-worker, who loaned me three of Sarah's CD's for a weekend. One...

Pros: Depth and passion of spirit
Cons: Last Lilith Faire was ridiculously expensive.

An artist in the traditional sense, is someone who seeks to communicate to their audience in an oblique manner. Rather than standing, facing their mother or father, and stating anger, love or betrayal, or writing a letter telling a lover of their...

Pros: Features one of music's most beautiful voices and songwriters; great make-out album.
Cons: Yeah, right! Um...maybe the fact that it ends?

If upon discovering the ethereal talent of Sarah McLachlan you purchased "Surfacing" (1997) first (or any latter release), you must then be touched by her first album "Touch" (1988), then as you travel onward you should seek...

Pros: The lyrics and the music
Cons: Not played much!

And now we come to my favorite album of the Sarah McLachlan bunch, Fumbling Towards Ecstasy, which is anything BUT fumbling. The sounds of the music are mellow, but are wonderfully put together.

The lyrics of the songs are also what make...

Pros: Contains hits such as "Ice Cream" and "Possession"
Cons: Lots of percussion compared to Surfacing, not a bad thing, just different.

The Fumbling Towards Ecstasy era is not only the turning point in Sarah McLachlan's career, but the begining of female singers and female fronted bands extreme popularity. Sarah's voice is just beautiful!

The graceful, meaningful lyrics come...

Pros: Incredible lyrics and voice
Cons: Not long enough

I had never heard of Sarah McLachlan until a friend of mine recommended I get a copy of Fumbling Towards Ecstasy. I bought it, but never got around to playing it.

I was at another friend's house when I heard Possession. I asked her who...

Pros: expressive vocals; wonderful sound; great arranging; great performances
Cons: Absolutely none

Why? Because this is such a great recording; and it was made relatively recently, and it didn't get the recognition it deserved.

Sarah McLachlan is great. I like _Surfacing_; but it sticks in my gut that _Fumbling_ didn't hit bigger. It...

Pros: Dynamic, dissonant, subtle, synesthetic bliss.
Cons: A song or two seems out of place.

Looking back on my favorite albums I realized that 90% of what I love today I simply tolerated when I first heard it. The music that is really good takes a while to sink in. You might have to listen to it 10 times before you latch onto what it's all ...