Search - Sarah Harmer :: Oh Little Fire

Endlessly Satisfying!

Mike Steeves | Toronto, Ontario CANADA | 06/26/2010

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Endlessly Satisfying is exactly what I think of Sarah Harmer's new album, Oh Little Fire.



Six years have passed since we've had a proper full-length studio album from her, and I thought the overly folksy sound that pervades I'm a Mountain (Dig) and Songs for Clem would strongly influence this follow-up, making it a little dull and marginalizing. NOPE! Oh Little Fire is a perfect blend of Rock, Pop and old-style Country in a way only Sarah Harmer seems to be able to do.



These up-tempo, rocking tracks have snappy, catchy pop hooks and melodies from song to song. The melodies and Sarah's vocals are consistently excellent on each and every track. Even the slower songs and the country-infused 'Silverado' have these traits. Sarah's very quirky turn-of-phrase, her rustic, beautiful voice and the strange way she arranges her very Canadian sounding lyrics is something that's entirely unique.



This Album Over-Delivers, which is amazing for someone so far along in her music career, considering many artists seem to peak early (and either remain good or become stale). Perhaps I like this album too much because I've become too used to all of my once-favorite artists letting me down with their new albums, but I don't think that's the case. This album is consistently good, from track to track.



Do yourself a favor and give this album a try.

"

Truly Worth the Wait ...

Reinrienrocate | Stafford, CT USA | 07/24/2010

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This album represents Sarah Harmer's first release since 2005, and was definitely worth the wait. The best way to describe her previous release, in my opinion, would be mostly sweet and stripped-down. This resonated well with me at the time, as I was going through a period of listening most heavily to folk and acoustic music. "Oh Little Fire" returns in some ways back to Harmer's more folk-rock beginnings to her solo career and also regains a good deal of emotional power that seemed to be lacking in the previous, as I characterized previously, "sweet" release. Don't get me wrong, I thoroughly enjoyed "I'm a Mountain", but I'm also glad that it wasn't indicative of a new status quo, as she returns with heaps of energy and her iconic melodic twists and turns. Perhaps this was the ultimate aim, signified by her "little fire." I've listened to this album countless times now, and it has secured its place at the top of my summer soundtrack. Favorites include "Washington," "New Loneliness," and "One Match.""

Sarah Harmer Delivers With Oh Little Fire

Philip R. Heath | DFW | 07/06/2010

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Sarah Harmer returns with her fourth CD Oh Little Fire, and as has been the case in the past relationships is a major theme through the majority of the songs. Some have lyrics that are opaque like the opener "The Thief" while others are more explicit such as "New Loneliness". The latter is an almost haunting sparsely instrumented acoustic tune that really goes well with the lyrics. Each verse starts with four lines that point a solitary picture with objects that could also be in pairs followed by four lines where an animal either does or sees something that underscores the loneliness of which Harmer sings. Her vocal delivery is spot on, and I've loved this song since the first time I heard it. One song that is different from the others is Harmer's duet with Neko Case "Silverado". The each take a verse solo and repeat the first verse in harmony. The pair sounds great together on this song about hopes and dreams gone awry. Overall, Oh Little Fire seems to combine bits and pieces from Harmer's previous CDs with great results. If you've liked her previous work, you should enjoy this one too.



Download this: New Loneliness

"