CD Review Archive
All new reviews that are being added to the new site will be archived with the reviews from the old site. Reviews of new albums by an artist who already has an archived review in the database will be archived at the top of the existing artist page.
A few hundred archived CD reviews from the old site have been deleted from the database. Where possible I have preserved any reviews that reflect the intended continuity of music that I hope to review on the new version of the site.
Bic Runga
'Birds'
Columbia
Bic Runga is probably one of the best known contemporary music exports from New Zealand (well, perhaps the Finn bothers and Crowded House notwithstanding), certainly hugely popular in the UK since being championed by the major print music press a couple of years ago, in the runup to the release of 'Beautiful Collision'
Our local record shop has had a space reserved on the shelf for this album since the original intended UK release date (March). One assumes that since Runga has a comprehensive UK tour schedule lined up for for May and June that the May release date for 'Birds' is carved in stone.
'Birds' is somewhat a darker, and perhaps more depressing album than, say 'Beautiful Collision', but has a handful of radio friendly songs, with country soul influences and 60's musical references, filled with the usual heart piercing intimacy and appealing sighs. Runga delivers intelligent songs, ones that demand both the listeners mind and ears, with power and elegance.
Once again, Neil Finn
(another fine NZ export) makes an appearance, along with Anika Moa and Anna Coddington (lead guitar and vocals with Duchess).
Bic Runga is on tour in the UK during May & June 2006. It is satisfying to note that her tour schedule covers much of the country this time, rather than a handful of venues that attract predominantly ex-pats.
Related links:
Bic Runga
Neil Finn
Bic Runga
'Beautiful Collision'
Columbia
Bic who??
Sadly, Bic Runga is hardly the well-known New Zealand export that the label would have everyone believe, and outside a clique of dedicated fans who frequent the foreign language sites and forums, she is barely known over here in Europe. Perhaps this latest European release, with bonus tracks, will change this. Then again, with modern music tastes veering towards made-for-tv pop acts, perhaps not. Certainly, the better known names of , amongst others, Neil Finn (Crowded House) and Dave Dobbyn which appear prominently in the musician credits, will ring a few bells with those who have been tempted enough to explore deeper into New Zealands rich musical heritage, and buy this album. Those of you with a knowledge of contemporary NZ music will also find the name Boh Runga familiar (Bic's sister, with Stellar).
There are very few vocalists who I find find simply stunning; Bic Runga is one of them, and along with Vienna Teng, and perhaps Camille Te Nahu, vastly underrated at international level.
There are a few Bic Runga web sites, covering different geographical regions. None of them are particularly informative, but the entry portal to all the sites is at www.bicrunga.com Some of the fan sites might be of more interest; if your German is adequate, the site at www.bic-runga.de is particularly informative.