Feist - 'The Reminder' (Universal) Released 23/04/07

Feist is of course an old comrade of fellow Canadian Peaches.  However on this evidence of this, her fourth solo album, Leslie Feist is a far different proposition indeed to Mrs ‘Ches.  For, far from being overly er feisty (sorry) it’s hard to imagine her commanding us to impeach her or anyone else’s bush.  ‘The Reminder’ is in fact a soft, beatific and melodic album and the work of a fine singer-songwriter. 

It definitely succeeds an overall package, being consistently good and taking in a variety of styles. There are two highlights, however, both of which manage to be appealing and obviously of potential commercially speaking without sacrificing anything in the way of credibility  First track  ‘So Sorry’ is so simple, sweet and lovely it makes you warm to the album immediately, and showcases Feist fantastic voice. Musically it’s slight but she effortlessly soars with a warm and tender sung tune, achieving the same kind of hazy, languid and woozy beauty of something like Nora Jones ‘Don’t Know Why.’ Indeed Feist has the potential to be a more palatable alternative to Jones, Tunstall, Melua etc. ‘Brandy Alexander’ is more pop perfection, again its irresistibleness coming simply from Feist’s melodic vocals and a finger clicked jaunty rhythm. Metaphorically the lyrics compare the abandonment and intoxication she finds in an unnamed gent to the drink (Wikipedia confirms a brandy Alexander to be a brandy based cocktail) ending with Feist sighing perhaps suggestively “Brandy Alexander goes down easy” (actually the most beautiful moment on the album). 

A subtle suggestiveness is also to be found one of the album’s other highlights - recent single ‘My Moon, My Man’ a sultry, sexy number that finds her keening “Take it slow , take it easy on me ….it’s the dirtiest clean I know.” The boldest attempt of many to mix up the musical palette is the African music influenced ‘Sea Lion’ which adds a health does of energy amongst proceedings, as a choir chants and Feist singings the title over gain, managing to authentically explore and expresses the essential equation or language and rhythm making music, also added to by some funky guitar. 

Jaunty accessible guitar pop is also offered - to pleasing affect on ‘Past in Present’ and to really very endearing and again doubtlessly commercial affect on the country influenced ‘1234.’  She also plays the melancholy, bluesy chanteuse well on the maudlin ‘The Limit To Your Love.’ Aside from this there are a couple of more forgettable moments and some sketchier, personal, angsty ballads towards the end of the album but they all add to the overall package in some way.

‘The Reminder’ will doubtlessly background a thousand dinner parties and fit right in on good old radio 2 but this shouldn’t’ put anyone off as it is a genuinely accomplished, enjoyable and beautiful album.