Customer Reviews

Try to Remember Everything (B-Sides and Rarities)

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I have been a Bic Runga fan since I first heard her Beautiful Collision album in 2002. This led me to her debut album, Drive (1997), and, later, Birds (2005). I would give all of these albums five stars. Runga wrote and produced all tracks. She played a variety of instruments.

Runga's voice projects feelings of humility and compassion. Her lyrics are never cynical, never bitter. Another distinctive Runga characteristic is that she clearly enunciates each word as she sings. Most of her songs are tender ballads, but she has proven her rockability, notably on Drive.

She has released a few compilations, including this one. One favorite on Try to Remember Everything is "Blue Blue Heart," taken from a Birds demo session. It reminds me of Donovan's "Wear Your Love Like Heaven." In fact, Runga seems to be something of an ultra feminine version of Donovan--great love ballads mixed with catchy pop tunes.

Another favorite on this album is "Strangers Again," written by Sneaky Feelings drummer Martin Durrant back in the eighties. Sneaky Feelings was a New Zealand band based in Dunedin. I feel that Runga's version of "Strangers Again" could be a global prom-night anthem. The perfect slow-dance tune.

Try to Remember Everything includes recordings from 1996-2008. On the album jacket Runga states, "Many are out takes from studio records, some are live performances on the radio which I remembered felt good at the time. Some are old demos." The only new recording is "Everyone Must Love," which Runga cowrote with Jimmy Messer.

I know Runga is a national treasure in her native New Zealand, and has broken several sales records there. But I've never understood why she is not a superstar in the United States. Surely, if Tom Waits can be "Big in Japan," Bic Runga can be colossal in the United States.

Bic Runga is one of my favorite singers. This is a wonderful collection of rare songs, all pleasing to listen to. Most of the songs are on the mellow side and the overall cd is absolutely perfect for a rainy day.

It is a very good collection of songs... your job was all fine! Thank you... Lorenzo

Anything she sings is awesome, but by the title you would think you were getting a lot more. She has tons of B-sides, that this collection does not even come close or even start to cover. She does truly need to collect all those wonderful B-sides. I rank it a 3 just because it does not really capture what it should. Vocally & musically Bic is always a 5.