– The Reminder

Saving your self the trouble of a sloppy break up – celebrate instead.

	July 24, 2007

Like a break up note that sings with life and is so personal you don’t want anyone in the world to see, Leslie Feist does the exact opposite and decided to make an album.
Confessional in the purest form, she has soul and at the same time enough pain in her voice that just makes her human enough to empathize. While she borders on folk and obvious soul, this album has a great time finding its voice from the beginning to the end; going through gospel, blues and rhythm that I can’t shake out of my head. The clapping track is like a member of the band and so are the background birds in “The Park” which could break down anyone who has ever been in a relationship. That’s what this album is mainly about.

It’s one big spring love song after a winter relationship. It seems to be around every corner of this album. It begins with “So Sorry” and ends with “How My Heart Behaves.” The horn sections just compliment Leslie Feist’s voice and what a voice. For any other performer, this album would be a boring snore (Her ability as a singer is tested with the Nina Simone cover “Sea Lion Women” and does she make you want to dance). This becomes the confessional part, which sees gospel mixed with that moody expression that she masters. The breaks between her lyrics can feel like a lifetime, because she exaggerates that ache and makes you take notice. You begin to recognize the pattern, some tracks are heart wrenching and others, although a bit poppy, still have that signature tone. At the end of this album, you feel that “The Reminder” is like an interloper in your past relationships. It isn’t going to change your world, but it will slow your day down and that’s always welcomed in any person’s world.

By Nathan Solis

Listen to the album at Amazon.com