- Audio CD (17 July 2006)
- Number of Discs: 2
- Format: Limited Edition, PAL, Import
- Label: Columbia
- ASIN: B000GI3Q1G
- Other Editions: Audio CD | MP3 Download
- Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 335,243 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
This album is my accompaniment to insomnia (not to be mixed up with being a cure for it!). Birds is one of those albums that inexplicably sounds perfect at 3am in the morning. It also sounds pretty damn good during the rest of the day as well!
Fans of Bic's previous album, the stunning "Beautiful Collision", may initially be somewhat disappointed with Birds. I was lucky enough to see Bic in concert recently and she actually apologised to the audience for the depressing songs and suggested they would sound better if we were drunk. She was obviously joking, but there is an undeniable darker edge to this album and it contains nothing as radio friendly as "Get Some Sleep" or "Something Good", let alone her signiture tune "Sway". However, Birds is one of those albums that slowly gets under your skin and I now enjoy it as much, if not more than "Drive" and "Beautiful Collision".
The album begins splendidly with the first single, "Winning Arrow". While this is the closest thing to a pop song on the album, it also introduces the bittersweet tone that defines Birds with its overwhelming theme of heartbreak. The next songs, "Say After Me" and "Listen" are two of my favourites and would both make great singles. "Birds", "Ruby Nights" and "No Crying No More" showcase Bic's phenomenal vocal range to stunning effect. "Birds" is an eerie lounge song with a distinct jazz feel, while "Ruby Nights" and "No Crying No More" could almost be described as alt-country.
"If I Had You" is an exquisite love song, while "Captured" is 6 minutes of one of the finest voices in modern music. My favourite song, "That's alright", is one of the most upbeat depressive tunes I can think of, while "Blue Blue Heart" is simply depressing but irresistible. The album closes with another epic, suitably titled "It's Over". Again, this song perfectly demonstrates Bic's perfect pitch and tone.
I'm not sure why Bic Runga doesn't sell albums by the truckload. She is beautiful, writes her own songs, plays just about every musical instrument on her albums and possesses a truly exquisite voice. Birds is very highly recommended.
Fans of Bic's previous album, the stunning "Beautiful Collision", may initially be somewhat disappointed with Birds. I was lucky enough to see Bic in concert recently and she actually apologised to the audience for the depressing songs and suggested they would sound better if we were drunk. She was obviously joking, but there is an undeniable darker edge to this album and it contains nothing as radio friendly as "Get Some Sleep" or "Something Good", let alone her signiture tune "Sway". However, Birds is one of those albums that slowly gets under your skin and I now enjoy it as much, if not more than "Drive" and "Beautiful Collision".
The album begins splendidly with the first single, "Winning Arrow". While this is the closest thing to a pop song on the album, it also introduces the bittersweet tone that defines Birds with its overwhelming theme of heartbreak. The next songs, "Say After Me" and "Listen" are two of my favourites and would both make great singles. "Birds", "Ruby Nights" and "No Crying No More" showcase Bic's phenomenal vocal range to stunning effect. "Birds" is an eerie lounge song with a distinct jazz feel, while "Ruby Nights" and "No Crying No More" could almost be described as alt-country.
"If I Had You" is an exquisite love song, while "Captured" is 6 minutes of one of the finest voices in modern music. My favourite song, "That's alright", is one of the most upbeat depressive tunes I can think of, while "Blue Blue Heart" is simply depressing but irresistible. The album closes with another epic, suitably titled "It's Over". Again, this song perfectly demonstrates Bic's perfect pitch and tone.
I'm not sure why Bic Runga doesn't sell albums by the truckload. She is beautiful, writes her own songs, plays just about every musical instrument on her albums and possesses a truly exquisite voice. Birds is very highly recommended.
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Birds is not an album to put on in the background. It needs to be listened to, rather than just being heard. There are indeed elements which sound like the Live with the CSO, but the cornerstone of that similarity is Bic's version of Nick Cave's And No More Shall We Part. The studio version of Say After Me (also on the live album) is her on Birds and, if anything, is stronger for the treatment it is given.
Like the Cave song, Birds is brooding and beautiful. It's not over produced, with the majority of it having been recorded with the whole band together as opposed to instrument-by-instrument. In particular, Neil Finn's piano work is exemplary, with always just the right contribution.
Sprightly songs don't abound but the almost-country No Crying No More and Blue, Blue Heart exhibit the lightness of touch found more on the previous album, Beautiful Collision.
Throughout the album, Bic's voice is wonderful. Real emotions abound song after song.
It's difficult to highlight any track as they all possess a richness either in sound or in the words, often both. The death of Bic's father not long before she recorded the album is reflected in some of the lyrics. This is one of the important differences from the previous album. Here, Bic displays a more mature side to her songwriting.
Overall, it's an exquisite album which demands listening. I'll admit I was quite surprised at the marked difference in tone when I first listened to it. Given proper attention, however, there are thrilling surprises on every spin.
Like the Cave song, Birds is brooding and beautiful. It's not over produced, with the majority of it having been recorded with the whole band together as opposed to instrument-by-instrument. In particular, Neil Finn's piano work is exemplary, with always just the right contribution.
Sprightly songs don't abound but the almost-country No Crying No More and Blue, Blue Heart exhibit the lightness of touch found more on the previous album, Beautiful Collision.
Throughout the album, Bic's voice is wonderful. Real emotions abound song after song.
It's difficult to highlight any track as they all possess a richness either in sound or in the words, often both. The death of Bic's father not long before she recorded the album is reflected in some of the lyrics. This is one of the important differences from the previous album. Here, Bic displays a more mature side to her songwriting.
Overall, it's an exquisite album which demands listening. I'll admit I was quite surprised at the marked difference in tone when I first listened to it. Given proper attention, however, there are thrilling surprises on every spin.
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Say after me and birds, are two of the best songs she has written. The rest of the album did take a few more listens to fully appreciate but I am very glad I took the time! It has a different tone to her other albums and is every bit as good as them.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Another winner
Another winner from Bic. I didn't think she could ever top "Beautiful Collision", and to be fair, with this album she hasn't. Read more
Published 11 months ago by M. Cook
soft haunting beauty.......
...this is definitely another great cd from Bic Runga. this cd has so many
gems that need to be unearthed with not a single play. Read more
gems that need to be unearthed with not a single play. Read more
Published on 14 Oct 2008 by Ben
She's done it again...
I bought this album a while ago but never got round to writing a review until now.
Quite simply, it's great - beautiful, haunting and truly original. Read more
Quite simply, it's great - beautiful, haunting and truly original. Read more
Published on 26 Jun 2007 by Nichola
How I love this album....
This is without any doubt my favourite album. Like other reviewers I associate it with my travels - I heard it first in New Zealand and have listened to it pretty much every day... Read more
Published on 22 Dec 2006 by Burner
She has captured me again
I came to this album having heard Bic's previous releases, BEAUTIFUL COLLISION and DRIVE. I think a lot of people, in this country at least, come to her music after hearing her... Read more
Published on 28 Sep 2006 by Brida
Exquisite...
This is one of the most beautiful, exquisite albums. Bic's voice is haunting. Most of the album was recorded live in-studio, with New Zealand's finest musicians, including Neil Fin... Read more
Published on 3 Sep 2006 by C. Mckelvie
The coolest voice ever
Unlike other reviewers I discovered Bic with this album. It's gorgeous. Her voice is incredible. This is mood music of the highest calibre. Read more
Published on 13 Jun 2006 by NG
A let down
I've had many albums from Amazon in the past, but never felt the urge to submit a review until now.This is a good album but at the same time one of the most disappointing. Read more
Published on 26 May 2006 by James B
oh dear
what has happened to Bic Runga ?
I loved Beautiful Collison but on this album she has been suffocated by overproduction . Read more
I loved Beautiful Collison but on this album she has been suffocated by overproduction . Read more
Published on 20 May 2006 by Paul A. Guillan
Needs time to appreciate!
Bic Runga's third album is the most delicate of hers to date. With the exception of the excellent "Winning Arrow" and the sublime riffs of "Blue Blue Heart",... Read more
Published on 30 Mar 2006 by S. Smith
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