Feist produces strong album

By Molly Gore

Amidst familiar chords and characteristically riddled lyrics, Canadian subtle-pop artist Feist redefines her sound in a stylistically diverse and delightfully experimental fourth album, "The Reminder."

The album opens with the soft, clear timbre of Feist's voice, backed up by the easy tempo of an acoustic guitar in her somber ballad, "So Sorry." The feel is reminiscent of older songs from Feist and is sure to please fans of her sophomore album, "Let it Die." With the electronic, danceable "I Feel it All," a new Feist emerges with an up-tempo, more experimental sound that delivers tunes from a broader and more varied palette, textured with percussion from soft tambourine to bird sounds, as is "The Park," another track from the album.

Feist's "Let It Die" is the cohesive, polished predecessor to the disconnected string of tunes in "The Reminder," whose sound ranges from electro-pop ballads to organic, acoustic love songs.

It is evident early on from "I Feel It All" that her vocals are more confident and venture to depths that make stomachs drop. She has removed the soft-focus lens over her first album to deliver clear, punchier melodies backed by electronic guitar-pop and keyboard.

The most remarkable sound, as usual, is Feist's voice. Unmistakable as it is, her vocals are delightfully adaptable to the sound of the song, creating a rare treasure of an album that does not get stale after one listen. Though she is no pioneer to the love/hate, emotive-pop frontier, Feist's lyrics are less straightforward than many of those of other artists, and delightfully quirky and poetic.

But sometimes the love poetry can seem contrived. "I'm sorry / Two words I always think / After you're gone / When I realize I was acting all wrong," she sings in one song. Still, the moving nature of her vocals feels too confessional to be artificial. The album is worth a listen, if only for her stunning voice.

Though her sound is not consistent across "The Reminder," it is the perfect sampling from an expanded musical palate I hope she continues to explore. Adding to the eclectic charm of the album is the fact that it was recorded in under one week in a manor just outside Paris. This setting provides ambient sounds laced throughout the album, from the click of Feist's heels down the stone hallways, to dogs barking or the white noise of traffic in "The Water."

It would be unfair to call "The Reminder" an improvement over "Let It Die." It is more the adventurous, funky child of a conservative, milder parent record. The album features energetic avant-pop tunes like "Sea Lion Woman," balanced by subtler, more palatable songs, like "The Water" and "Intuition." "The Reminder" is a unique and uplifting listening experience, especially when enjoyed in one undisturbed listen, which it deserves.

Older Feist fans will not be disappointed by this album, though it diverts from her traditional flavor. "The Reminder" is a fresh, feel-good record that won't leave a flat, worn out, been-done-before taste in your mouth.

GRADE: A-

Contact Molly Gore at (408) 551-1918 or mgore@scu.edu.