Track Listing

1. When I See you Smile
2. Get Some Sleep
3. Something Good
4. Precious Things
5. The Be All And End All
6. Election Night
7. Honest Goodbyes
8. She Left On A Monday
9. Beautiful Collision
10. Listening For The Weather
11. Counting The Days
12. Gravity
13. Sway

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #9332 in Music
• Released on: 2004-03-22
• Number of discs: 1

Amazon.co.uk Review
Bic Runga is of Chinese and Maori heritage, born and raised in Christchurch, on New Zealand's South Island. In early 1997, Bic recorded her debut album, Drive over a two month period with one engineer and a handful of musicians--and produced it herself. While living in New York, Bic wrote several songs for this, her second album, Beautiful Collision. It includes guest appearances from some of New Zealand's most famous musicians: among them are Dave Dobbyn, Neil Finn (on three tracks) and Milan Borich (Pluto), who all contribute to a sound that is always refreshing and inviting. Family also plays an important role with support on a number of the tracks by Boh, Pearl and Sophia Runga. Mixed by famed engineer Michael Brauer (Coldplay, New Radicals) in Quad Studios, New York, the album became the biggest-selling album in New Zealand's recording music history, going six times platinum whilst achieving a new record as the longest running No. 1 album ever. Since she was featured on the soundtrack to American Pie, Runga's reputation has spread far from her homeland and she has now become a major international artist.

CD Description
Bic Runga's sophomore release follows on from her debut album 'Drive' which won her critical acclaim in her home country of New Zealand. 'Beautiful Collision' sees Runga expand her ethereal melodic sound which has seen comparisons drawn with such artists as Travis, David Gray and Dido. With this album being written in New York (as opposed to her home with 'Drive') Runga has a bigger sound on this album, confessing to being influenced by the sounds and weather of America.

Customer Reviews

Loveliest album of 2004
The first I heard of this album was a snippet on the radio saying how it had topped the album charts in New Zealand (Runga's homeland) for a whole year. And while that in itself doesn't always guarantee a top-class album, Runga has surpassed herself and released a record of incredible beauty.
What strikes many about Runga is the unusual clarity of her voice. Nothing is muffled or difficult to decipher. You can hear every sylable, even those that are soft as a whisper.
Melody wise, there's barely a pop album this year to compare. Runga mixes things up between heartfelt ditties to loved ones and more wide-ranging guitar-based tracks to please a wider audience too.
Although sometimes a couple of her tunes could be straight off a Carpenter's album, Runga has succeeded in creating an entirely up-lifting work that puts her right at the top of the pile of leading female vocalists.
Deep and meaningful it isn't, but if you're after clear, creamy vocals, a voice like honey and some absolutely glorious gentle swinging hits this is for you.
The bonus tracks make this even more worthwhile with the sublime Gravity toward the end of the disk one of the most immaculate recording conceptions of the year.

Beautiful
Until recently,I had never heard of Bic Runga before, her name appeared in an 'other artists you may like' list. I heard 'Sway' and liked it immediately. In fact, I liked it enough to buy a copy of 'Beautiful Collision' It can be risky buying an album on the strength of one song, but this time it was no mistake.

Bic's songs soar with fluctuating emotion from the thrill of love,hope and joy,to sorrow.

First of all is the simple, acoustic track 'When I See You Smile' Bic sings soulfully whilst strumming the guitar, it's gorgeous, and even makes me question my choice of exit song for my forthcoming wedding.The style changes swiftly in the following song 'Get Some Sleep' which is bright and lively with a catchy beat. 'Something Good' is softer than 'Get Some Sleep' it has background vocals which adds a good quality to it.(Well, I appreciate BGVs anyway!) 'Honest Goodbyes' touches on melancholy with a piano, it's tune is quite catchy and the song does boast a good strings arrangement. 'She Left on a Monday' is soft and regretful with gentle lyrics in the verses and a lovely cacophany of instruments.'Listening For The Weather' is a very sunny, hopeful song starting with a harmonica, and a happy theme, Neil Finn, former 'Crowded House' vocalist accompanies Bic in the chorus. It's an uplifting song: "...never be afraid of change..." ' Counting The Days' is a more slow, and contemplative song with a banjo and a clarinet giving a very slight jazz twinge.'Gravity' is lead by a piano and reminds me of Nerina Pallot (if you like Bic Runga, try Nerina Pallot, her music has some similarities). A good, dreamy song. The last track is bonus track 'Sway' from Bic's debut album, 'Drive'. 'Sway' is a heartfelt plea to her beloved to stay, and she pleads her case, again a good line up of instruments accompany her...beautiful.

Bic's soft voice lulls the listener into a sense of calm, whilst also arousing happy vibes which will lift you into a good mood.This is undeniably an artist with talent, she has written the lyrics and music herself, which is a refreshing change from artists who rely on others to write their songs. Bic is a talent worth discovering and hopefully her new album will make people aware of her great talent.

Crouching Tiger Hidden Wonder
Bic Runga is a name hat means very little to us in the UK, thankfully that is about to change. Sarah Mclachlan is the only person I can think to compare her to, songs with simple yet interesting lyrics and melodies that just seem to flow along, but not half as depressing. Bic Runga has the type of voice that can carry as song, the is no more obvious than on “When I See You Smile,” which is just Runga and her guitar although you won’t believe it the first time you hear it. The albums strongest songs are “Get Some Sleep,” “Election Night,” and “Beautiful Collision.” Through out the album you can feel Runga’s Asian influences, and this is something that separates her out from the wave of female talent available at the moment, Norah Jones, Amy Winehouse etc… Bic Runga is a colossal talent, with a great flair for song writing, and attention-grabbing and beautiful voice. Bic Runga should not be ignored, possibly the best album of the year so far.