FEIST plays Massey Hall December 1. See listing. Rating: NNNN
It’s hard to not read Feist‘s Metals as a reaction against the success of the massive success of 1234, which of course became ubiquitous because of constant repetition in iPod ads, despite it being one of the few songs off The Reminder that she didn’t write herself.
If you’re looking for something similarly sunny and cheerful, Metals could initially feel like a downer, but it’s also an album that truly lends itself to an immersive listening experience that will reward you if you have the patience.
It sounds more live than any of her previous releases, and you get a strong sense of musicians playing off of each other, even when the orchestration gets dense and layered. She’s also rocking out more than before, although still with that wispy voice.
Metals is does not drastically redefine her identity, so longtime fans shouldn’t be put off too much by the lack of obvious singles. But there’s a more visceral quality that will help win over those that have been on the fence in the past.
Top track: How Come You Never Go There
