Aural Cleansings fashionably late to the 2007 party

With the coming of age comes a bit of a delayed reaction to many things. I know that I am a little bit slower now when I run, I have sluggish reflexes when it comes to sports and I buy into the “next big thing” a little bit more hesitantly. The decision needs to be made by me to find out how good something actually is and if it is really all that it is hyped up to be. I can say that for two female releases of 2007, they do live up to the hype (although one was EXTREMELY more hyped than the other). These albums were Feists’ “The Reminder” and Jesca Hoops’ “Kismet.”

Feist was on every top 10 listing of 2007 that I came across but I could not figure out why. I did enjoy her IPOD commercial featuring the “1234” video but it wasn’t the best song I have ever heard. I can say that this album is one of the best start to finish albums that I have heard in my recent memory. There is a wide plethora of musical variation displayed on the album ranging from acoustic songs (So Sorry), heartfelt lyrics (Honey Honey) and lots of diverse instruments and guests (A little known fact is that the “1234” video features many of the artists that Feist has collaborated with in the past).

Feists’ voice is very unique in that it is not overpowering nor is it quiet. It holds a lot of emotion but not to the point where you want to slap her being too pouty or too excited about something. She has found that equilibrium that many female artists can not seem to find and has a wonderful sound. Her voice is just another instrument in a spectrum of sound. A nice example of her voice’s ability to work in cohesion with instruments is the final song on the disc “How My Heart Behaves.” It is an exquisite duet and an exquisite ending to an superb sophomore release.

A bit on the opposite end of the hype spectrum is Jesca Hoop. I saw her open for one of my favorite bands this past year at the Double Door. She had a very eccentric performance but it left me wanting more so I finally bit the bullet and picked up “Kismet.” I can say that the release had the exact opposite effect that Feist’s did. It was not very accessible initially but I kept listening because I was intrigued by her arrangements, key changes (most of her songs seem to be written in a minor key) and interesting time signatures that sometimes would alter mid-way through her songs.

As I said, this disc is not very listener friendly for the first 10 to 15 listens but there were a few songs that stood out after just one or two listens (Summertime, Dreams in the Hollow, Intelligentactile 101). Hoops’ voice is bit more whispery and softer than Feist but it also has a sarcastic overtone to it. In other words, it is right up alley.

“Kismet” has many stand out songs on it but as an album, I wouldn’t say it was as strong as “The Reminder.” I do think that as a song writer, Hoop should be listed along with the top song writers today just after this release. I believe that Sufjan Stevens could learn a thing or two from her arrangements even.

Please don’t hold it against me for not acknowledging these fine efforts until now. They deserve a second look, if you can spare one.