Most Helpful Customer Reviews
14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
This is a very moving record and...., January 4, 2006
a lot better than the dopey description from Sony. Runga has turned a corner in her songwriting - she comes to the table here with sophisticated songs about romance, break up, regret, hope that are mature, intelligent, and altogether something that would make you think of the Elvis Costello-Burt Bachrach collaboration. She is helped in no small measure by having Neil Finn, the southern Hemisphere's Paul McCartney, on board to lead the band, weave intricate and often heartbreaking harmony, and apply a certian Crowded House accent to Runga's impressive arrangements.
I'm not sure what the point of describing the recording space is, because Runga puts a lot of stock in the ambient quality of her music, live or studio. And don't get me wrong she's not some Kiwi Enya or Loreena McKennit or, perish the thought, Tori Amos. Instead, you have one of this planet's most intelligent writers delivering a group of songs thematically symbolized by the tranistory life of birds. Maybe not since Poe, or Mary Oliver, has someone really got it how that analogy seems to resonate for us trapped on the ground. In any case, there's a lot more at play than there ever used to be in Bic's recordings. My guess is that the live CD with Dave Dobbin and Tim Finn had a lot to do with this shift in gravitas. What used to be filed under "guilty pleasure" is a lot more required listening these days.
Maybe it's just the timing. Having just seen someone I love fly away.....
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
BIC RUNGAS BEST CD BY FAR!!!, December 11, 2005
Just when you thought that bic runga couldn't improve on her multi platinum alubums drive and beautiful collison, she suprises her fans once again with birds. This CD is absolutely incredible. ITs completely unique. Its nothing that you have heard from anyone before, especially bic. I would often get angry when i heard her draw comparisons to jewel or other pop singers, but with this album, she truly stands alone.
Tracks 1-11 are all incredible. The Standouts are 1)Winning arrow, 2)Say after me 4) Birds, 5) Ruby Nights 8)Captured 10)Blue Blue heart 11)Its over. This is bic rungas best cd by far. Even though her 3 cds can all stand on their own and are differrent from each other, Birds is the only one the is produced by bic runga herself, leaving the listener with a more pure insight into bics soul. This is truly a beautiful album. I can't stop listening to it! Buy it immediately. Worth the wait. Thanks Bic! I love you!
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Fantastic album, August 17, 2006
This newest release from Bic Runga is breath-taking. Birds has tracks with a wide variety of styles - from acoustic to ambient sub-pop. "Blue blue Heart" is my favorite track but "No Crying No More" and "winning Arrow" are fantastic. Runga's lyrics are complex and sophisticated - her observations of the struggles and pleasures of everyday life are articulate and blend beautifully with her music. If you like her, check out Gretchen Lieberum and her new album, "Siren Songs." Both are great albums you can slip on for some perfect sensuous mood music - perfect for an intimate setting.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
|
|
Most Recent Customer Reviews
|