[music & lyrics] [about] [photos] [radio] [shows] [buy CDs] [contact] [sign guestbook] [links] [home]
Press Reviews
| "...a great tool in our struggle to stop the current madness, and I salute you." |
| John Pilger |
| " Socialist, feminist, folk artist - these descriptive nouns often strike fear into the hearts of music-buyers. The image these words paint is one of being preached to by someone who is finding their way onto a disc by virtue of their politics, rather than by their talent. Happily, this is not the case with Toronto's Sara Marlowe. While the aforementioned description fits Marlowe like a glove, sh'e also a great singer-songwriter. The production on 'times like these...' is up to that of any mainstream artist. However, unlike the creators of most consumer pop, she's putting her energy into writing about relevant issues. In these uncertain times, 'times like these...' provides the inspiration not to give into complacency." |
| Cindy Filipenko, Herizons Magazine |
|
"Every song grapples with issues surrounding the struggle for social justice. Sara's words create powerful images and make impressive links between issues such as preserving the environment, globalization, war and peace, and social activism. The lyrics are so profound that they could be applied to additional struggles such as those pertaining to labour, racism, homophobia and other forms of oppression. The order in which the songs are presented reflects the cycle of social action necessary to change the world. The CD begins with "The Right Question," a song that describes the bias in mainstream media and falsehoods portrayed on television. The next two songs further explore the apathy which keeps us from challenging inequalities inherent in our capitalist world. "Not in our Name," features lyrics about the impact of globalization on our world, linking images like "growing fields of golden arches while the redwoods fall to the ground," and "to find the real axis of evil, well you don't have to look too hard. Try Downing Street and Washington DC and take a look in our own backyard." The next few songs offer glimmers of hope for a different kind of world. From here, the lyrics of each song become at once enraging and empowering. By the time the final 2 tracks are heard, you will feel motivated to challenge our oppressive world. The final track, "Revolution Song," chants a powerful message of social activism: "Until every last face has lost its trace of misery; Until every last one of us lives a life of dignity; No more hesitation, can't you feel the times are changing; Always be singing our revolution song." The CD is best when played in its entirety in order to get the most from Sara's compelling lyrics. " |
| Chelsea Looysen, Briarpatch Magazine : Fighting the War on Error |
If you're mad about Bush winning the election, you have a friend in Sara Marlowe. The delicate-voiced songstress sings of world injustice and damns the war against Iraq on her new cd. "Maybe" doesn't sound like an earnest protest song, but Marlowe I superior to most protest singers and crafts a jazzy, expansive backdrop for her thoughts. "Not in our Name" is the anti-war in Iraq song and it's very powerful. "The mightiest of the mighty are bombing the ones who don't stand a chance" notes Marlowe. She's creating a musical answer to Michael Moore's Fahrenheit 9/11 . "Not as They Seem" asks that we look beyond the surface of things to a sophisticated setting. "Blind" is an exotic-sounding gorgeous song with another strong lyric. It's a record to make you think rather then passively receive and as such it's great. |
| Anna Maria Stjärnell , Luna Kafe |
| “I'll be damned if this Toronto-based singer-songwriter Sara Marlowe doesn't steal some of Ani DiFranco and Alanis Morrisette's fan-base! ‘Times Like These …' is a fantastic album…” |
| Kathy Tan, FOLKWORLD |
| “Whether your political views coincide or collide with Marlowe's, she presents her arguments lyrically, coherently and intelligently… she addresses global issues and should be required listening for any modern studies syllabus.” |
| Jenny Ivor, Rambles: A Cultural Arts Magazine |
| “Sara Marlowe might not have been around in the 60s, but she is definitely a woman for our times and someone with a real voice with something important to say.” |
| Les Reynolds, Indie-music.com |
| “Toronto-based Sara Marlowe 's sound is very reminiscent of Ani Difranco and to further the comparison, she writes strong lyrics that compel attention .” |
| Victor K. Heyman, Sing Out! The Folk Song Magazine |
| “Toronto-based Sara's second CD 'Times Like These ...' introduces world-beat, jazz and funk to her strong protest folk roots, and the result is captivating .” |
| Pete Harris, HarrisRadio.com |
| "Canadian singer/songwriter Marlowe offers another strong political voice along the vein of folk singer Ani DiFranco, pointed squarely at the warlike, corporate-owned establishment. She has a wonderful voice you don't find often among independent vocalists it kind of has a theatrical quality to it. I can picture her perhaps as Cosette in Les Misérables, soft, gently cooing, but with force and power, resting these talents on a bed of jazzy rock, folk, pop, and world music. She is a fine indie rock soldier of change, of which we can certainly never have too many. " |
| Don Pflaster, Impact Press.com |
| “Gorgeous musical arrangements are the backdrop for thoughtful lyrics… ” |
| Carrie Crespo, WomanRock.com |
| "In the strong tradition of women songwriters with powerful messages, there were pioneers like Joni Mitchell and Alanis Morrisette. Now perhaps is Sara Marlowe 's turn ." |
| Jerry Chong, New Songs for Peace.org |
| “…what a refreshing voice and to hear the truth so well said. Thank you for your vision and the courage to stand up to the powers that be.” |
| Laney Goodman, Producer, Women on Air.com |
"If you are a right-winger, this will probably just piss you off, but that's good…as long as you listen! :) " |
| Amy, Producer of Collected Sounds: A Guide to Women in Music |
| “They're great recordings so I look forward to giving them plenty of airplay. ” |
| Mike Cunningham, Coral Coast Community Radio 94.7 FM, Australia |
| "...heartfelt, thought-provoking lyrics - words of substance and conviction that prod the listener's conscience..." |
| John Arkelian, Editor, ARTSforum Magazine |
[home]