"Noe Valley folk singer brings sidewalk jam sessions to grateful neighbors: ‘She’s a light!’"
"Rachel makes it look effortless with her accessible melodies, but dig deeper into her lyrics (like "crash course in chagrin") and you realize she's creating poetry in relatable human situations."
“Late to Bloom” captures Garlin’s ability to write infectiously poignant music that resonates in a timeless way."
“Democracy Demands” that you give her a listen."
“Faceted gems of lyrical storytelling blend music and words to create startling, rich narratives. As with Garlin's earlier albums, the more you listen to these songs the more you fall in love with them.”
"The State That We Are In is distinguished by its unique and affecting lyrical sensibility. Intensely imagistic and unsparingly observed, her lyrics capture a decidedly contemporary kind of wonder—awe tinged with fear, shuddering hope in the face of slow-motion ruin."
"Garlin is an accomplished storyteller, with a truly literary sensibility. Whether she’s framing a song of new love around an old photo booth or inviting us to picture ourselves in the California countryside, Garlin has a consummate command of the English language, crafting images of a carefully observed life."
"Garlin loves not only teaching about the art of music, but building relationships with people who want to have a voice and tell their stories."
"A joy from start to finish!"
Read the Reviews
"At times Garlin’s voice has the breathy quality of sixties-era French singers such as Francois Hardy and Sylvie Vartan."
"Garlin sings convincingly of frozen sundials and lemon-trees-gone-lazy in “Some Weights Are Hard to Bear” — from her most recent EP, The State That We Are In — a haunting song that speaks honestly about grief."
“Rachel Garlin's music harkens back to another era. Her poetic lyrics and acoustic guitar conjure up memories of great folk singer/songwriters from a generation ago such as Judy Collins and Joni Mitchell.”
“Storytelling at its best. "
“More than just a singer; she’s a storyteller with an infectious radiance about her that can enthrall an audience.”
"Rachel Garlin is songwriter’s songwriter who writes, 'finely etched songs that respect the folk tradition.'"
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