RiiVIEW #041 Pleasure - Feist
R:
Matt and I became close buds over a shared love for Feist when we were both in high school. We used to listen to her on our massive iPods while working at an outdoor equipment store. What a time. Feist was the first concert Matt and I went to together and I’m still not convinced it wasn’t a date. Anyway, it feels cool to be riiviewing this album together. It’s been a few years, and I honestly can’t say I was waiting for another Feist album (I sort of forgot about her). Nonetheless, “Pleasure” has be a welcomed treat. This album is more of the same ol’ Feist- not a bad thing, just a fact. I don’t think old fans will be surprised or shaken up by anything on the album and I don’t think Feist is going to gain any new fans with this one. I guess there’s no need to fix what ain’t broke. The title track, “Pleasure” is great. When it was released a few weeks before the rest of the album, it has be excited for what was to come. Mostly, it did a good job of reminding me that I do still like me some Feist. Other highlights include I Wish I Didn’t Miss you and “Any Party”. “Any Party” is just so good. I can’t think of a better testament to love than somebody telling you they would leave any party for you. It’s such a nice thing to say. Imagine you were at a party where Kanye West was giving out free hugs, there was unlimited snacks, and everyone thought you looked the prettiest but your sweetie wants to leave and you are happy to do it. That is pretty much what this song is about. The ultimate love song if you ask me. This should be the wedding song of 2017. First dances will be weird but I’d cry for sure. “A Man Is not His Song” feels especially like it could have been on any another Feist album. Again, this is not to say it’s bad but it is to say it’s a bit whatever-ish. It’s no “Any Party”, that is for sure. That is as critical as I’m willing to get about “Pleasure”. For a new album, “Pleasure” feels strangely nostalgic. It’s a pleasant listen and I’m happy it’s in the world. Top 3: Pleasure, I Wish I Didn’t Miss You, Any Party Rating: 🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹/10
M:
Love you Feist. Every time you allow your voice to distort, break, or let out a yelp it strengthens that love. This wasn’t what I was expecting from Pleasure, but it’s exactly what I wanted. I can barely string together a criticism, but I’m going to try for the sake of not turning this into an all out gush fest. The album starts out with the riotous thumper that is Pleasure and meanders it's way through the album's 10 the that follow. I'd challenge you to find a single track on the album not worthy or worship. The sparseness of Pleasure highlights the strength of Feist's minimal instrumentation and reveals the rock solid foundation of her vocal arrangements. Century teeters over into a bit of a comedy, and that abrupt ending is more notable than good. I don’t love Jarvis Crocker and these additional elements of the track could have been removed and resulted in the song being less distracting. In saying this I have to keep saying to myself - who the fuck am I to tell Feist what's up? You got this. Keep making great, great albums! It is important to note that if Jesus is the reason for the season, then Feist is the cause of the Riiview. If you're to trace back to the embryonic days of Rii and Matt, you'd find a Feist concert at Hamilton Place. One that I'm still riddled with guilt about to this day, because I may have or may have not inadvertently stolen the ticket for Rianka from my mom. Sorry Mom.... I hope you've found the forgiveness for me that I've clearly not found for myself. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ Top 3 was really hard for me on this one, because even songs that didn't immediately grab me by the ears, get to a beautiful place by the end and grew more amazing with repeated listens. I've probably heard this album 23 times by now. Top 3: Pleasure, I’m Not Running Away, A Man Is Not His Song
Rating: 🌸🌺💮🌸🌺💮🌸🌺💮 /10