Grade: B- | Genre: Light Pop Summary: Birds doesn't have that magnetic single like Beautiful Collision did in "Get Some Sleep," but on the whole it shows a greater consistency as Runga continues to grow as an artist. Bic Runga is an artist hailing from lush landscapes of New Zealand. She has literally defined the music scene in the land of Kiwi, notching two multi-platinum selling albums that set records for album sales on the isle. She's branched out from her native land to tour from the edges of the globe and has stirred up international acclaim among the music intelligenca for her low-key work. Her most recent album, Birds, is introduced as a sibling of her past work. Quiet, a bit awkward, yet beautiful in its silent touch, Birds continues the rich tradition Runga has forged.

Runga was raised as a child on Japanese versions of the Carpenters, the Beatles and Shirley Bassey. You can see these early influences piping through the bars of her melodies as the silky voices of American pop culture meld with musical dressings of Japanese song. The compositions are very careful and exacting, almost preferring to seal a mood or elict an emotion than to thrust itself into the spotlight. Much of the material on Birds plays out like a soundtrack to a piece of 70's French film noir. It is unassuming and graceful while never ordinary.

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Songs like "Ruby Nights" are almost so quiet and subtle as to disappear completely within the fog of arrangements. "No Crying No More" almost sounds like an old Southern anthem you'd hear drifting from the porch, lemonade in hand, to serenade the sunset.

While a lot of these songs reinforce the general feel of the album, many can largely be swept under the rug. "Captured" does as fine a job of painting the shadowy mood as the rest, yet secures better footing. Lilting and emotionally packed, Runga's voice carefully steps over the warbling guitars and muted drums to deliver a nice portrait of love mingling with despair. Clarity isn't a luxury we are afforded on this one, but the scene that she sets is amazing. It's like the many pieces of an opera stage jolted to life.

The album draws its doors to a close with its best moment "Its Over." It weighs heavy in its heartache, pulling each memory out of the box to absorb it like it was the first time. It brings to mind Feist's heavenly tunes off of last year's retro release Let It Die.

Birds doesn't have that magnetic single like Beautiful Collision did in "Get Some Sleep," but on the whole it shows a greater consistency as Runga continues to grow as an artist. I'm afraid it won't garner her any extra helpings of acclaim from those who have already become acquainted with the charm of her sweet voice, but as an introduction it will earn her a new handful of devotees. What is it going to take to propel Runga past New Zealand superstar into the realm of international sensation? More light, bouncy cuts like "Get Some Sleep" with less moody atmospherics that this album is drenched in. Most of her fans would eschew such an ascent, a la the Cardigans, and instead happily hold this hidden treasure close to their vests, lest the world discover its unique magic.

Release Date: December 5, 2005