Feist - The Reminder

Let me preface this by saying I found Feist's debut Let it Die enjoyable, but by no means impressive. What was impressive was seeing her live. Dressed in all white she sang like a goddess and firmly put to sleep any doubts as to whether her talents were a fluke or accident. On The Reminder she has achieved something truly special, something to be cherished. The ghosts of many greats (and not so greats, (but still great in their own way)) float in and out of this record making their presence known only to slip away and take on some other form. On "Brandy Alexander" which starts out with reverby kick and some snaps slowly takes on more instruments piano and strings whose placement Van Morrison would certainly deem great. Feist's lyrics fit so well it hurts sometimes when she sings "It goes down easy," pretty much effortlessly.
If there is something wrong with this record it's that it feels like shes still hiding something, like she is telling the truth but leaving out the part that might get her into trouble. On "I Feel It All" Tom Petty shines through but never enough to be considered a rip-off. This song's feeling of vastness exemplifies the same feeling that can be found throughout the entire album. What at first seems to stick out like a sore thumb "My Moon My Man" containing a typical ABBA chorus "Take it slow, take it easy on me" floats effortlessly into flourishes of some kind of wind instrument only to be to quickly stripped down again to the bare bones drums and bass of the song which are so infectiously headnod inducing one might just start dancing in public.
The album floats between pop and folk always maintaining an expansive sound, and just like it will make you dance, songs like the "The Park" better damn well make you at least shed one little tear for this beautiful songbird. The title of this album hits the nail on the head The Reminder is just that, a reminder of moments good and bad in the past but also that they will come again in the future.