http://www.listentofeist.com
You can stream the new Feist album if you give them your email. They already had mine, so I obliged of course. I have been a Feist fan since Let It Die came out in '04. No, promise I'm not trying to flaunt my indie cred (do I have indie cred? I say no, but I suppose that is a term that is usually bestowed upon one by others...)- but I think you can appreciate her as an artist differently than if you first knew her from The Reminder. This new album reminds me more of Let It Die (less covers though) in its simplicity. There isn't really a super upbeat song. It is very much of the season- this would not be a summer album. It fits perfectly into being released in early October as the seasons change- it flows well from one song to the next, very contemplative and I can easily imagine this playing in the background while driving and enjoying fall colors. Also seems like more of a night time album- something I would listen to before sleeping or on a late night/early morning.
Upon first listen, the 2 tracks that stood out to me were "Undiscovered First" and "Cicadas and Gulls". One follows the other, and when listening I envision a lot of deep colors- purples, oranges, reds, much like a good sunrise on a brisk fall morning. And I think that suits Feist's voice quite well- I'll admit that while I enjoyed The Reminder, some songs just didn't sit right with me. It was experimental, which I always applaud of artists and in many ways it was successful. This album just seems more comfortable, like she isn't trying so hard, she's just doing what comes natural.
And when it comes down to it, it is very steeped in nature. I don't always have visions of very specific things when I listen to an album, but upon first listen I do in this case. I can listen to this and imagine walking among fall leaves, imagine the crunching noise. I can imagine frost and first snowfall. I'm not sure if this is necessarily a good thing or not since it may pigeonhole the album, but I like it.
I've only seen Feist once in concert at The Maintenence Shop in Ames on the IA State campus in 2005- her voice sounds just as good live and I would highly recommend seeing her. I feel her catalog, now with this new album, will be varied enough to really put on a great show.
I'd love to hear your thoughts on the new album- or criticisms?
I haven't heard the new album yet, but thanks for your review! I'll need to give it a listen. I liked "Let It Die" a lot, but I wasn't exposed to her until "The Reminder" in 2007....my browsing for new music skills weren't quite so honed at that time yet, LOL. I like how you described the album. I often "feel" seasons and such when I listen to music, so that's usually one of the ways I connect to what I'm listening to.
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