Let me preface this by saying that I was never a huge fan of female vocalists. I didn't jump on the Alanis Morissette train, and the Jewel CD I received one Christmas never got much play. While I understand the talent, I can't say that I particularly love listening to Celine Dion, Whitney Houston or Mariah Carey. And aside from the occasional dance party to Hilary or Kelly, I never thought of any of those teen pop stars as actually talented musicians. Still, recent times have brought about a change of sentiment, and I now cannot get enough of the talented female vocalists currently gracing the music scene.
It all started with an album that arrived on the ArtsEtc. desk last spring. As a beat writer, I was obligated to take said album and review it. The artist was Regina Spektor, the disk "Soviet Kitsch," and let me tell you, it blew my mind. Any preconceived notions I had of female artists was blown away as this indie singer threw convention to the wind and created a grouping of 11 songs unlike anything I had ever heard before. I was hooked — Spektor's innovative and edgy sound is different from anything else out there, and one that began to drastically change my opinion of female vocalists.
I was torn, though. If I accepted some female musicians, did I have to accept them all? Did this mean that along with playing Regina Spektor as I walked to class, I would in turn have to listen to Christina Aguilera? After careful consideration and a few sleepless nights, I came to the following conclusion: not all female vocalists are good. Now, most of you could have told me that from the get-go and saved me the unnecessary strife, but, as my parents often tell me, lessons aren't always learned until you learn them yourself.
The singers I am discussing in this column do not wear pythons around their necks or prance around singing sugary-sweet songs to their blond boyfriends. The vocalists I'm talking about are driving forces of the music scene, more known for their talent than their grimy, deadbeat husbands (seriously, Britney, KFed has to go) or their recent dabbling in the drug world (confessions of a broken heart, maybe, Lindsay, but you didn't have to tell us ALL that). These women have met heartbreak, triumph and adversity, communicating said experiences through their music. The women this column is about are the indie artists who dare to be different, bringing new things to the table and changing the world of music.
Upon my introduction to Spektor, a mission ensued: find strong female vocalists who step outside the line of ass-shaking and belly shirts and actually contribute something new to the world of music. And, boy, did I find them. Rachel Yamagata wooed me with her album Happenstance. Milwaukee native Stephanie Dosen changed my mind with introspective songs off her debut album Ghosts, Mice and Vagabonds. This summer, Imogen Heap produced something close to a religious experience with her single "Hide and Seek," featured on "The O.C." and permanently fixed on my iPod's "most played" list. My search even brought me back to the '60s with Janis Joplin and her legendary voice and talent. All of these findings were appreciated and loved, but my search hit a new level when, for Christmas, my dad received the album Let It Die by female artist extraordinaire, Feist. I immediately borrowed the CD and was pleasantly surprised — I had found a new favorite female vocalist. Thought to be one of the best musical presences of 2005, you probably don't recognize Leslie Feist's name, but chances are you've heard her voice. A founding member of the band Broken Social Scene, Feist can also be heard on collaborations with the Simon and Garfunkel-sounding duo Kings of Convenience. She has a voice that sets her apart, making Let It Die an album that exists in a completely different league than most.
The album is a rich mix of emotion, melody and vocals — a combination that culminates in just the right fashion to create a most valuable and appreciated listening experience. The highlight of the CD is most definitely "Mushaboom," an upbeat, extremely fun song that contagiously sticks in listeners' minds long after the song ends. The tune is exactly how I imagine a spring day, exuding the vibrant colors and the energy of the season with each rise and fall of the melody.
Slower songs on the album complement Feist's torchy and soulful voice. Her vocals are riddled with emotion, as evidenced by the beautiful lyrics exhibited on the album's title track. I was speechless as Feist's voice communicated the lyrics: "The saddest part of a broken heart / Isn't the ending so much as the start / The tragedy starts from the very first spark / Losing your mind for the sake of your heart." If that set of lyrics doesn't make you retrospectively think about your first failed relationship, I don't know what will. And all of the woman's songs are like this — characterized by their incredible power to connect to the hearts of listeners. Feist, like many other über-talented female vocalists out there, takes risks. Her album, though full of original songs, also features incredibly note-worthy covers. Her spin on the Bee Gees classic "Inside and Out" is smart and skilled — a remix I would dare say rivals the original.
I can't get enough of Leslie Feist and her unique and incredibly impressive style. Thankfully, my new obsession and constant listening can be supplemented by an actual performance, as Feist is scheduled to soon appear in Madison. The vocalist will grace Washington Avenue's High Noon Saloon Jan. 28, alongside Jason Collett of Broken Social Scene. With a portion of the night's proceeds going to support the Keep Wisconsin Warm Fund, an energy-assistance program for families in need, there is no reason not to check out this fantastic and worthy female artist.
Proof that initial impressions aren't always right, my journey into the world of female vocalists has been an impressive one. Though I haven't become a strictly woman-vocalist-listening girl, I can now better appreciate the talent these vocalists possess. Check out Feist. Listen to Rachel Yamagata. Groove to Jem. Stray from your normal realm of listening. Whether you follow my lead and check out lesser-known female artists, introduce yourself to the world of rap or delve into grunge rock, take the initiative this year to try something new. You might just like what you find.
Laura Stanelle is a sophomore majoring in _______ and associate ArtsEtc. page editor. Now that she's explored the female vocalist scene, she's headed back to exciting world of '90s grunge. She can be reached for question or comment at [email protected].
