Let It Die [Import]

Feist (Artist) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (May 17, 2004)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Import
• Label: Universal
• ASIN: B000287Y04
• Also Available in: Audio CD
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #258,503 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Gatekeeper

2. Mushaboom

3. Let It Die

4. One Evening

5. Leisure Suite

6. Lonely Lonely

7. When I Was a Young Girl

8. Secret Heart

9. Inside and Out

10. Tout Doucement

11. Now at Last

Editorial Reviews

Feist is a Canadian songstress, hailing from Toronto. Her first album 'Let It Die', is produced by Renaud Letang & Gonzales. Feist has been Gonzales' fellow for years. Part of the Canadian collective band, Broken Social Scene, Gonzales convinced her to come to Paris to record this first album. The journey started in an out of time, out of norm atmosphere, whose lush grooves are offset by a thoroughly enjoyable live performance, with members of the Germany via Toronto Kitty-Yo crew such as Peaches, Gonzales, & Taylor Savvy. Features 11 tracks including the singles 'Mushroom' & 'One Evening'. Universal.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Let it live, May 31, 2005

By 

E. A Solinas "ea_solinas" (MD USA) - See all my reviews
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If Lesie Feist sounds familiar, it's because of her musical resume -- it ranges from Canadian indie-popsters Broken Social Scene to female rapper Peaches to the Kings of Convenience. That sort of resume also makes one wonder -- what will her solo debut, "Let It Die," sound like?

The answer: Stripped down, sensual pop music, with a touch of jazz and trip-hop around the edges. It kicks off with only the strums of an acoustic guitar, before Feist jumps in like an orphaned torch singer. "Well it's time to begin/as the summer sets in/It's the scene you set for new lovers," she croons.

From there on, Feist doesn't even slow down. She ventures into cheery, catchy pop like "Mushaboom," sensual slow ballads, rippling trippy songs, and smooth torch songs. There's even -- surprisingly -- a cover of the Bee Gees' "Inside And Out," which she gives a funky spin, and a delicately catchy cover of Ron Sexsmith's underrated "Secret Heart."

The flavour of Feist's music isn't the sort that sets off fireworks and sets you raving about how much fun it is. "Let It Die" is the sort of album that is periodically hailed as being the real deal -- no studio tricks, little musical polish, and a reliance on good songwriting and tunes rather than hooks. In other words, pure music.

The star of the music is Feist herself; her vocals are front-and-center, and she proves herself a rare kind of singer. No "American Idol" vocal explosions, no hyperdramatics. Instead, Feist flexes her vocals in all sorts of different ways -- breathy, husky, ethereal and coy, and and moving along with the music in perfect sync.

Not that Feist's good voice doesn't mean that the music isn't also good. Most of the instrumentation is based on piano and acoustic guitar, with snapping fingers, cowbells, a hint of synth and handclaps thrown in. It's very simple, and very pretty, whether trying out catchy pop or traditional-sounding folk. Only a few songs, like the clunky "Lonely Lonely," fail to be captivating.

Leslie Feist moves out of the shadow of the other bands and artists she's worked with, and establishes herself with the beautiful "Let It Die." A rare and good type of pop.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The saddest part of a broken heart..., January 1, 2005

By 

Ben Rowland (Toronto, Ontario Canada) - See all my reviews
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I have never heard of Feist before, but a friend's recommendation and the critical acclaim of the Canadian music press (it was on a lot of "Best of 2004" lists), I picked this album up and was very surprised at what I heard. This is perhaps one of the most pleasant, relaxing and lyrically intriguing albums I own.

Who is Feist? She is a singer from Toronto who has her musical roots in hard rock, having played in a punk band in high school, and then having played guitar for the Canadian band By Divine Right. Now she has changed direction totally with her debut album. Her style of music is very similar to Norah Jones crossed with early Everything But The Girl, but more ambient and less jazzy. Songs like "Gatekeeper", "Let it Die", "Lonely Lonely" are very summery, relaxed chillout songs, while "Mushaboom", "Leisure Suite", "L'amout ne dure pas toujours" and "When I was a young girl" are more lively and ambient pieces. The highlight of this album is her voice, which is absolutely angelic. Her lyrics are almost cryptic at times, but she sings with passion and spirit. "Let it Die" is the perfect soundtrack to your laid-back moments.

Because of all the critical acclaim, Feist will hopefully find a larger audience outside of Canada, where she has a dedicated local following. While her music is best appreciated live, she has produced one of best albums of 2004 and I would highly recommend it to anyone.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars don't let it die, March 15, 2005

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D. Stewart "duglas" (Glasgow, Scotland United Kingdom) - See all my reviews
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This is a beautiful album. It is one of those wonderful albums which you discover new things you love about it with each new sitting. At first One Evening hooked me in. I listened to this track on repeat for around 6 hours non-stop before I explored else where on the album. Then I couldn't get over Feist's reworking of The Bee Gees Inside & Out, it is the sort of heart break disco that Sister Sledge made with Thinking of You, dance away your tears. One of my fave all time singers is true jazz original Blossom Dearie but Feist's take of Now at Last puts Blossom's in the shade and rips your heart out with its beauty. I'm still discovering the beauty of tracks I never focussed on at the beginning as much....Mushaboom, Secret Heart, When I Was a Young Girl...WOW!
Feist is a trully wonderful singer with that rare combination of vunerability, power and purity. Gonzales' production is a great example of how less can be much much more and Let it Die has to be one of the most beautifully recorded albums (sonically speaking) ever. I believe this album will grow in stature and it will continue to find a new audience until it is recognised as a modern classic.