Beautiful Collision - Bic Runga

...type track, but with some beautiful melancholy, and again lyrics that make you see the world differently.

*beautiful collision
The title track was inicially my favourite, with a haunting melody, though with extended listening was very catchy and I have spent quite a long time trying to get it out of my head!

*listening for the weather
This one has harmonica on it, and is a bit more upbeat and catchy.
...song with the Dobro... starts of quite quiet, but gains momentum, and is really very pleasing.

*gravity
Back to pretty vocals and philosophising, but this time with a bit of 'grit' in the chorus, lending this track a bit of weight. Again, I love the lyrics. ('dancing like a landslide...')

*(bonus track) sway
This is a more electric sounding song, and ends the album on the more upbeat note we have seen in ... more

I first heard this album in America, and wanted it immediatly as the music is unusual, and intriguing. Bic Runga is from New Zealand, and I hadn't heard of her before, which further prompted me to buy the album as I like to find out about new things.

The record is both serene and vivid. The music is not abrasive, but neither is it insipid. I see this as a triumph for the more 'relaxed' album. Lyrics are used sparingly to allow plenty of space of the inovative instrumentation.

There are some interesting instruments included. The names in the inlay card mean little to me, (what is a Dobro?!) and the resultant ambiance is of innovation.

That said, there are some good solid 'chillout' tracks on this, that although very good are not overtly unusual.

This is a good value for money album, as the 13 tracks do not include any 'fillers' and the combination of them makes a very pleasant listening experience.

Track listing:
*When I see you smile
The introductory track is short (1.46 mins) and offers a taste of things to come.

*get some sleep
Slightly more upbeat, this song makes me think about drinving around a strange city late and night and feeling really excited about the air of anticipation.

*something good
This is a song about hoping for something better to come, and is almost painful, as it seems that this 'good thing' is not actually about to be realised.

*precious things
I really like this song. It is quieter and more thoughtful than the previous two tracks, and the vocal line is, in my opinion, beautiful.

*the be all and end all
Starting quietly and rising towards the chorus, this song is varied and multi-textured, offering some lovely harmonies.

*election night
Initially I liked this track less, as it is pitched quite high, but it has grown on me, and the lyrics are great.

*honest goodbyes
This is another favourite, you feel like you can relate to the difficulties in the relationship - wanting to be together, and apart all at once...

*she left on a monday
Another quiet vocal type track, but with some beautiful melancholy, and again lyrics that make you see the world differently.

*beautiful collision
The title track was inicially my favourite, with a haunting melody, though with extended listening was very catchy and I have spent quite a long time trying to get it out of my head!

*listening for the weather
This one has harmonica on it, and is a bit more upbeat and catchy.

*counting the days
This is the song with the Dobro... starts of quite quiet, but gains momentum, and is really very pleasing.

*gravity
Back to pretty vocals and philosophising, but this time with a bit of 'grit' in the chorus, lending this track a bit of weight. Again, I love the lyrics. ('dancing like a landslide...')

*(bonus track) sway
This is a more electric sounding song, and ends the album on the more upbeat note we have seen in a couple of previous tracks. 

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