Sarah Blasko - As Day Follows Night (2009)

By Nat Salvo

Sarah Blasko's third album, "As Day Follows Night" is another endearing effort by the Aussie singer-songwriter. This time things are propelled by lots of piano-driven folk pop and epic strings compliment Blasko’s angelic voice.

The record was recorded in Sweden with producer, Björn Yttling (of Peter, Björn & John fame).

The atmosphere of this Scandinavia country acted as a creative muse and catalyst, yielding twelve emotional and well-crafted tracks for Blasko.

Down On Love sounds like a lost Jeff Buckley song performed by Regina Spektor poised at the piano. Some cherub-looking angels sing backing vocals while the keys at times resemble a silent movie soundtrack.

The following, All I Want sounds like it is graced with numerous musical spirits. In reality, it is a musical saw creating these haunting tones.

The track features a very mature Blasko admitting – with a reasonable dose of melancholy – that she’s soul-searching, with the aim of getting to know her real self.

In contrast to the lyrics, the pretty pop music and strings make for a song I could easily envisage Joni Mitchell performing.

Blasko adopts the guise of sexy showgirl on Bird On A Wire, where you can almost see her in top hat and tails (and with baton in hand) teasing her crowd of loyal admirers.

Hold On My Heart continues the soul-searching from earlier, but is a bopping affair. While Janis Joplin sang about giving away little pieces of her heart, Blasko writes hers a love letter, while trying to find strength as the object of affection is out of reach.

Some Eric Clapton-inspired acoustic guitar is offered in Is My Baby Yours? as Blasko considers the pinning she does for another’s lover. Meanwhile, No Turning Back is like The Beatles’ For The Benefit Of Mr. Kite sung by a chorus line of mermaids sitting on rocks and serenading the ocean.

The playfulness of this continues into Lost & Defeated where some animated mimes in heavy makeup deliver a song that at its core is about Sarah being mad. But as you listen, you can’t help but think that a smile isn’t far away from this songbird’s face.

Bringing things home is Over & Over, which shares some of the pizzazz of Architecture In Helsinki’s Heart It Races and borrows the last verse from the Talking Heads’ song, Road To Nowhere.

On "As Day Follows Night" the listener is treated to an ethereal journey into quiet introspection as tender folk tunes tug at your heartstrings and are delivered by an accomplished singer-songwriter. 

Sarah Blasko is a little older, much wiser and inspiring, as she honestly reveals dazzling insights in her crafted tomes about love and loss. She really is such a sweet and thoughtful dear.

RATING: 5 out of 5

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