CD Review of The Reminder by Feist

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Feist: The Reminder Label: Interscope Released:

Feist doesn’t need to remind anyone she’s here, but the title of the follow-up to her critically acclaimed 2004 release, Let It Die, is just that: The Reminder. Musically, this is both a continuation of the previous effort, and a hint of maturation that gives this eclectic singer/songwriter even more for the critics to love. Oh, and before you think Feist is just a critic’s darling, take a listen to the soft, Sade-meets-Patty Griffin vocal, and the subtle yet powerful arrangements, and it’s a recipe that should give music fans of many genres find something to like.

“So Sorry” is just a bit clunky as a leadoff track, but then Feist kicks things into gear with “I Feel It All,” a bouncy, track with an uplifting chorus. “My Moon My Man” is both sexy and triumphant at the same time, and if that makes no sense to you, you need to just hear it. “The Water” is a brooding, torchy (no Feist review is complete without that word), song that might lull you into a sweet sleep. Then Feist really shows her versatility with “Sea Lion Woman,” a track with almost a gospel feel to it, and the alt-country swagger of “Past in Present,” which will remind listeners a lot of Patty Griffin. “Honey Honey” has that old-school chick singer vibe that has brought both Amy Winehouse and Lily Allen almost instant fame, and “How My Heart Behaves” is a stunning closer that is one of Miss Feist’s best songs yet.

It might be easy to jump on a bandwagon, but digging Feist does not represent a wagon of any kind. The music has substance, an intellectual vibe, and more than anything, a voice that is as distinguishable as it is flawless. The Reminder is the next step in what promises to bring Feist more acclaim and likely more fans. She’s not a typical singer/songwriter, a typical pop artist, or even an under the radar obscure performer. Feist just falls somewhere among all of the above, and her music is comfortable in any landscape.