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Juice Magazine
July, 2002
Review of Beautiful Collision
Original content copyright 2002 to NineMSN
Original article is at: www.juice.net
July 2002
By: Dan Lander
As "When I See You Smile" opens its aching arms and draws you into a gentle, melancholy embrace, the tune's subtle blend of Emmylou Harris-like sincerity and post-rock ambience suggest that Bic Runga might have something rare to offer. When the opening track of the New Zealand-based singer's sophomore album gives way to the soft, intimate rock of "Get Some Sleep" , the feeling intensifies. Runga masterfully exudes a blend of old-world authenticity with an ultra-modern sparkle.
"Something Good" tumbles out like a small child's laugh, as melodic and innocent as a song can be; when it's followed by the Bjork-like atmosphere of "Precious Things", it's clear where the three years this album took to craft have gone.
While Runga's debut Drive went seven-times platinum in New Zealand, she has had little success in the wider world. That's about to change. The ambient, country-tinged melodies of Beautiful Collision are faultless, finding that elusive balance between originality and classicism.
Although the middle section - from "The Be All And End All" to the title track - might move a touch too slowly for some, the dedicated delicacy does nothing to diminish the strength of the material.
Self-produced and largely self-performed, Beautiful Collision is engaging enough to capture your imagination after just one listen, and deep enough to survive repetition.
Original content copyright 2002 to Juice.net
