Without mentioning the extensive list of highly popular and highly untalented songstresses these days, there is one current singer who is deserving of real praise: Leslie Feist. With the quiet self-assurance and raw vocal talent of Lucinda Williams, Chrissie Hynde, Aimee Mann and Nathalie Merchant, Feist makes her own unique musical contribution.
After purchasing her 2004 album “Let It Die” only last summer, it was still on heavy rotation in the popular venue that is my apartment, until very recently. The album’s gut-wrenching but oh-so-satisfying title track particularly caught my ear and made me fall in love with Feist’s ability to take us down to the depths without ever drowning us in them.
“Let It Die” mp3
Already content with “Let It Die”, I found myself reluctantly moving on to her latest offering “The Reminder”, released this month on Polydor. After listening to “The Reminder” a number of times now, I no longer feel like one has to replace the other.
Starting off with the mellow, acoustic “So Sorry” Feist gently unfolds her soft staccato into the dramatically paused lyrics “We … don’t…need to say goodbye. We…don’t…need to fight and cry. We…we could…hold each other tight…tonight.”
“So Sorry”mp3
She moves into more poppy territory in the next two songs “I Feel It All” and “My Moon My man” and then back into two slow-burning ballads “The Park” and “The Water”. The rest of the album progresses in a similar fashion. “Limit To Your Love” somehow reminds me of Van Morrison and you can hear hints of so many other artistic influences in all of Feist’s song. The second to last song on the album “Honey Honey” stands out as well for it’s jazzy organ bass and backing vocals that sound like a creeping train sounding its horn through the darkness of night.
“Honey Honey"mp3
Although Feist’s lyrics are honest and thoughtful, they are really secondary to the message of her music, which is clearly conveyed with her voice alone. Best experienced on headphones, Feist will take you on a meandering journey through the whole emotional landscape. As soon as you get to the last song, you’ll want to do it again.
Words by :Music Contributor: Miss Ash
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