Sarah McLachlan in now 20 years into her career. She has sold over 40 million albums worldwide and in the late 1990’s established Lilith Fair which in its three year existence became the most successful all female tour in history.

2008 finds her releasing the career retrospective, Closer: The Best Of Sarah McLachlan.  While her many fans would no doubt have preferred an album of new material, this will have to do for now.  Her music is gentle, beautiful and thoughtful. The songs tend to wash over and lull you as they take your mind on a journey.

The first three songs, “Vox,” “The Path Of Thorns” and “Into The Fire” are taken from her early career and show a developmental stage. They don’t quite have the sophistication and polish of what will follow.

The fourth track, “Possession,” exhibits tremendous growth both lyrically and musically from her earlier material. “Hold On,” “Good Enough” and “Building A Mystery” quickly follow and set the tone of the album which are brilliant lyrics set to mid-tempo and slower music.

Her well known hit songs, “Aida” and “Angel” are instantly recognizable. “I Will Remember You” is a live track that shows the purity of her voice and her ability to present a song without studio recording equipment.

The last two tracks are new. “Don’t Give Up On Us” and “U Want Me 2” fit her style well but don’t match the overall quality of her best material that is gathered here.

If you are not familiar with the music of McLachlan then Closer: The Best Of Sarah McLachlan is a good place to start. If you are a fan then it is nice to have her best work issued all in one place. Either way this is an enjoyable listening experience.