Shadowed

Adult alternative has been one of the more female-dominated areas of the music world — an area where so many of the tastemakers (Sarah McLachlan, Vanessa Carlton, the Indigo Girls and Shawn Colvin, for example) have been women. But largely female isn't the same as exclusively female, and male artists have also made some valuable contributions to the adult alternative field, including John Mayer, the Gin Blossoms, and the underexposed, Philadelphia-based Chet Delcampo, among others. A name that should be added to that list is singer/songwriter Sacha Sacket, whose second album, Shadowed, is as intriguing as it is melancholy and darkly introspective. The intrigue comes into play because of all the clever references in his lyrics — for example, "Be my story of O" (a reference to the classic French S&M film/book) in "Cockatoo," and "you've grown weary of my Jeckyll and my Hyde" on the title song. But most listeners who hear this excellent sophomore effort probably won't notice Sacket's cleverness as much as they will notice all the sadness and disillusionment in his lyrics; Shadowed is a very dark album, and few rays of sunlight enter Sacket's adult alternative/folk-rock space. One influence who serves the Los Angeles resident pleasingly well is the late Nick Drake; Sacket gives the impression that he could easily recite all the lyrics to "River Man" if called upon to do so. And yet, Shadowed never sounds like it was recorded in the '70s — not only is the production style more modern, but also, Sacket has no problem incorporating elements of Tori Amos and Sarah McLachlan. That isn't to say that any of those direct or indirect influences ever obscure his individuality; Sacket is most certainly his own man, and he shows a great deal of promise on this compelling CD.