Customer Reviews

Drive

5 star:		(39)
4 star:		(17)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

It is so refreshing to see an artist with an actual vocal range. It's is not everyone who can successfully blend a first soprano range into popular music, but Runga does it effortlessly. When I heard "Sway" the first time I was mesmerized, and I bought her cd on a whim and lucked out. It is some of the most unique, beautiful and prolific "popular music" I have ever heard. I wish there were more vocal and songwriting talents like Runga out there. So Bic, keep on crankin' out the beauties and hittin' those high notes!

Without the "American Pie" soundtrack, I would never have discovered this little gem. I somehow missed the Bic Runga explosion of two years ago and only discovered this remarkable musician through a second viewing of the "American Pie" DVD.

"Sway" was, of course, the song that caught my attention, but that drove me on to buy Bic's enhanced CD immediately. While none of the other tracks have "Sway's" hypnotic, romantic quality, each is accomplished and sparkles in its own way. What makes this freshman effort more remarkable still is the fact that the Malay songstress is credited with writing, arranging, producing and with playing many of the instruments.

This is a lyrically spare album, as most of the effort seems to have gone into the impassioned vocals, but each song was cohesive and made sense within its own context, unlike the drivel produced by many artists today who are trained musically but have no sense of poetry or style. Sure, most of the songs are about silly, inconsequential things, but John Keats wrote once about a nightingale's voice and people are still reading him.

Vocally, "Drive" reminds me of Milla Jovovich's "The Divine Comedy", but this CD is musically more spare, letting Runga's lush vocals ring true.

. . .but with a bit of an edge. I have been smitten with Bic since April of 1998 when I was living in Sydney. She was just beginning to get airplay in Australia at the time and I bought the disc on a whim after a very brief listening in a music store. One of the best "blind" decisions I've ever made, musically.

Many of her songs have that mellow, relaxing sort of groove that Beth Orton has, but Bic knows how to rock too. She knows exactly when she needs to harden up a bit and let things explode before settling back down into her groove again ("Hey" is the perfect example of this). But the songs are not just mellow... they are catchy too. "Sway" and "Suddenly Strange" have that ring about them that will leave you humming pleasantly in the grocery store or on the bus.

Other songs just evoke so much emotion, bouncing along between her voice and the instruments. The very title song alone is enough to bring tears and make anyone a fan.

It's a shame that she doesn't get much attention in America. She definitely has the talent and presence to be a Jewel-Tori-Sarah powerpop household name. But then again, who wants to share her with the whole country? I'd rather keep her to myself.

The current craze for female singer-songwriters seems to have passed Bic by, which is such a pity. She's extremely talented, has a powerful and nuanced voice, and writes songs that pack a lot of emotional wallop. She's also a terrific live performer! Buy this CD and discover an incredible New Zealand talent!

I can't understand why this album wasn't huge.
This is the most impressive debut from a female singer-songwriter in a long time, far surpassing the Jewels or Sheryl Crows dominating the airwaves. Runga is blessed with a unique and dazzling voice, and a terrific ear for melody. "Suddenly Strange", with it's dynamic shifts, is gorgeous. "Sway" is a perfect pop gem, and the understated "Bursting Through" and "Drive" are sublime. This is a solid CD, deserving of your time. To add even more accolade, her sophomore album, Beautiful Collision, far surpasses this one.

I'm smitten with Bic's voice. I listen almost solely to the "Lilith" women, ie Sarah McLachlan, Jewel, Fiona Apple, Beth Orton, etc., and I think they all have gorgeous voices that enhance the powerful music they write and perform....but in my humble opinion, Bic's voice puts them all to shame. Never has just one performer's voice alone gotten under my skin in this way- but I'm glad it did. "Sway" was a song I kept hearing "everywhere", and I finally realized that I had it on a Lilith Fair promo CD from 98- I adored that song. "Sway" is one of the few songs- no, one of the few things, period, that can instantly put me in a good mood. I bought the CD hoping for more songs of "Sway's" quality, and I wasn't disappointed. This CD is beautiful, impossible to categorize, and ultimately, I hope, just the first effort by an artist who is, sadly, an obscure talent. (Oh, yeah, and she wrote all the songs on here herself- which instantly puts her in a league that Britney Spears and her counterparts will never be in.)

Bic Runga is a star in the making. 'Drive' is a beautifully crafted album which is emotional yet appealing at the same time. Bic puts her heart and soul into her music, and this is evident in songs such as the tender opening single 'Drive' and the melodic 'Sway'. I was fortunate to see Bic in concert in NZ, and let me tell you her voice is truly heavenly! She allows the audience to feel personally involved in the intimacy of the music. You will not be disappointed with this album!

This CD is just heaven! Bic Runga has one of the most beautiful voices I've ever heard.

I have not heard much about Bic Runga (I've been listening for it), but I'm not in any music social scene. She caught my attention on the American Pie sndtrk, however, Sway I now feel is one of her less powerful songs...fun and pop though it may be. She has a haunting voice, a beautiful range and thoughtful lyrics. Unlike some of the recent female vocals, one song does not flow into the next unnoticed. Each piece on the album has character..and yet they dovetail perfectly. It is not the type of CD that charms you for a month then burns out. Bic will stay in your "good CD" case years after your purchase.

I first heard Bic Runga in the first American Pie, believe it or not. (How I'd missed her before then, I'll never know.) After the movie, I had to find out who she was and how I could get more of her. Her voice is incredible. Her clarity is like nothing I've ever heard before, and to top that off, she is a talented writer as well. Her melodies are unique, I can't every get them out of my head. Her lyrics are honest and clever. I'd recommend this album to anyone.