Review: Sarah Borges 'Together Alone'

Sarah Borges

By Mike O’Cull

Multi Boston Music Award-winner Sarah Borges revels in her seemingly casual genius inside the roots music genre on her latest album Together Alone. The record comes out February 18th, 2022 thanks to Blue Corn Music and showcases the mesmerizing spirit and lyricism that has kept the talented singer-songwriter’s loyal following growing for nearly 20 years.

Produced by Borges’ longtime collaborator and mentor Eric “Roscoe” Ambel (Joan Jett & the Blackhearts, Steve Earle and the Dukes), the new set is full of amazing new songs that were written and recorded remotely due to the pandemic but you’d never know it by the live-band sound the tunes put forth. Members of NRBQ and The Bottle Rockets also contribute to Borges’ efforts and all involved make creating a batch of new material this strong sound like the easiest thing in the world.

Borges has been catching ears with her songs since her 2005 debut Silver City and is known for the detailed visions of people both within and around her that her lyrics contain. This time out, however, she had to work within a different situation than ever before due to Covid isolation and lockdowns. Borges had to figure out how to remain a viable and effective artist without the camaraderie and community of other musicians she had always had around her.

She ended up recording basic demos of her new songs on her phone and sending the files to Ambel, who would then figure out who in his musical contact list would be right for each song and could record their parts well on their own. These included Bottle Rockets bassist Keith Voegele, Lynyrd Skynyrd bassist Keith Christopher, and a trio of rocking drummers scattered between New York and Nashville. The results of this new method overflow with authentic chemistry and fully animate Borges and her songs.

Borges begins Together Alone with the mid-tempo sparkler “Wasting My Time.” It’s a melancholy song with a cynical edge to the chorus that demonstrates Sarah’s ability to sum up difficult emotions in very few words. Her voice is clear and entrancing and floats beautifully above the instrumental tracks. She and Ambel channel a bit of a Tom Petty/Mike Campbell feeling here, which is never a bad thing.

“Lucky Day” picks up the tempo and likens the odds of succeeding in love to those of winning the lottery. The song’s driving pocket is 100% pure roots rock performed with guts and style. Borges’ slightly twangy vocal hovers sweetly above the tune’s rock and roll heart and the combination makes for a memorable listen that most folks can relate to. The guitar and drum sounds are big and bold and you’d swear they were all recorded at once if you didn’t know better. This one is a flat-out stomper that will get your body and soul moving.

“Wouldn’t Know You” is a Stones-ish guitar-and-piano rocker that delivers a tough-love warning to someone who has drank, smoked, and partied so hard that their own mother wouldn’t recognize them. It sounds happy and has a wonderful chorus but packs a serious message underneath all the fun stuff. It gives listeners the kind of rhythm-and-wisdom blend that’s the mark of a great songwriter and speaks its piece in grand style.

“She’s A Trucker” is another tight rocker that was inspired by Borges’ time spent as an airport courier during the pandemic. It’s one of the only truck-driving songs out there written from a female perspective and also sports the couplet “I got sick of trying to get laid, now I’m just getting weighed,” which is an early contender for Lyric of the Year.

Sarah is a direct and fearless writer who will smack you in the face with a line with zero regrets. Her songs feel true to her personality in a way that eludes most of her peers and makes the Boston Music Award-winning performer a real catch. Together Alone is an incredible song cycle that will impress even the most ardent fans of original songwriting. You may not know it yet but Sarah Borges just might be your new best friend.

Listen to “Wasting My Time”