If you are one of those who prefers music with lyrics you can dive into and explore, this is an album for you. If you prefer music that is a richly layered tapestry of instruments, this is also an album for you. Wow!

I must admit that I don't usually like reviewing CD's and I must admit that I only listen to a few songs on this CD but if it came with only those songs, it would still be worth it.

I've been a Sarah fan for quite some time and, by accident, I discovered she did a hauntingly beautiful cover of "Gloomy Sunday." I searched high and low to find that this song was only on the CD Rarities, B-sides & Other Stuff which I promptly bought off of amazon.

Unfortunately, the first CD arrived cracked. I was heartbroken as I tore into the package wanting to listen to that beautiful song and realized I had to wait even more. The second delivery was uneventful (save for some neighbours stealing my mail) and I was soon able to grace my ears with this magnificent song.

I've already admitted I haven't listened to much of the rest of the CD though the track listing is impressive, boasting songs which are - you guess it - "Rarities, B-sides & Other stuff." You'll find familiar names in possibly unfamiliar sounds and remixes and unless you're much more dedicated a fan than I am, some of these songs will be new to you.

I encourage you to give the entire Cd a listen but if you're like me and only purchase it for one song you still will not be disappointed.

Rarities, B-Sides, and Other Stuff is a collection of remixed songs(Fear, Shelter, As The End Draws Near, Vox, Into the Fire, Possession), and songs Sarah McLachlan covered(XTC's Dear God, Gordon Lightfoot's Song For A Winter's night, Joni Mitchel's Blue); recorded live(Drawn To The Rhythm, Gloomy Sunday); and written and contributed for several films(I Will Remember You for Brothers McMullen, Full Of Grace for Moll Flanders).

The controversial Dear God is raging and emotional. Melancholic tracks I Will Remember You, Full Of Grace, Song For A Winter's night, and Shelter are moving and captivating. Gloomy Sunday and Fear are dark. Uptempo 80s sounding Vox, bass heavy Into The Fire, and Celtic sounding Drawn To The Rhythm may leave your foot tapping for the duration of these songs. Less interesting songs are Blue, As The End Draws Near, and Possession. What will keep you listening to the aforementioned three songs however is McLachlan's beautiful vocals. Outstanding tracks are the studio and longer version of I Will Remember You, and Shelter which is performed accompanied only by electric violin, electric viola, and bass guitar.

Extended remix of Vox should have not been included in the CD since it appears on Touch. There are also songs recorded prior to the release of Rarities that should have made its way to this CD - McLachlan's cover of Cat Stevens' Sad Lisa and Peter Gabriel's Solsbury Hill.

Sarah is at her best here. Her beautiful and one-of-a-kind voice could never be matched by anyone else. Even without all the techno and brilliant synths, she would stand above most any other vocalist out there today! I have had this album for years, and have never grown tired of it. What a God-send Sarah is!

This CD has the most incredible rendition of A Winter's Night that I've ever heard. And you know those moments in your life when music can bring something back to you, so close, so intense-- that you can breathe it, feel it, live it all again? What a gift that is. I swear this music gives parts of my life back to me all over again and it is truly bittersweet. This is for heartache, for beauty, and for life-- and for whoever you will always love, deeply and completely, without thought, sense or reservation. Enjoy.