Categories : Jazz + Blues, Music Reviews, Rock + Pop.
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Rating: 3/5 Released: June 6, 2006 Reviewer: David Coats |
As Feist continues to plot the path for the follow-up to her Juno-winning debut Let It Die, she releases Open Season, and though it contains a handful of collaborative efforts, the record is basically a compilation of Let It Die remixes, and as with any such experiments, some work more successfully than others.
The Gonzales version of ‘One Evening’ defies Feist’s stated vision of adding a banging backbeat to her songs, but is beautifully expressive, if a little formal. The highlight of the package is ‘Inside + Out’, remixed by Julian Brown of Apostle Of Hustle; Feist’s vulnerable yet confident vocals sound especially strong against such a hazy, simple musical backdrop. Much of the rest of the record attempts to balance the folk-pop of the original versions of these songs with electronic percussive sequences; the results are generally mixed. K-Os’ rapping on his remix of ‘Mushaboom’ compliments the song in this context, but the percussion overshadows Feist to the point where it hardly seems like her song anymore. Conversely, the Postal Service remix of the same song contains beautiful vocal harmonies lacking in the original version, but changes the rhythm to sixteenths, making it seem too urgent, rather than allowing it either an ambient swagger or folk vulnerability. Making things interesting is the collaboration with Readymade FC on ‘Snow Lion’, adding mystery by using harp as the lead melodic instrument; and the lighthearted ‘Tout Doucement’. A misstep is the VV Mix of ‘When I Was A Young Girl’, the most blatant techno mix found here, and is, coincidentally or not, lacking some soul.
Considering this is largely a time-buyer for Feist until her new LP is released, it’s an interesting if unessential listen, with a hit-to-miss ratio high enough for fans to pick this up. It’s obvious that the next LP will launch Feist to the top of Canada’s female singer/songwriter scene, but if Open Season is any indication, she won’t lose her sense of adventure while she’s at the top.
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