In her mid 20s , Bic Runga is stunningly beautiful .The cover art alone is reason enough to buy this album .Bic Runga is clothed in gorgeous New Zealand designs and photographed exquisitely .

Beautiful Collision is Bic Runga's 2nd Album on Sony . I must admit Beautiful Collision took me by surprise after the passion of her first album Drive .The style of Beautiful Collision is lifeless partially because Bic Runga's voice rarely displays any change of tone colour , dynamic or variety in her word painting and partially because her lyrics are clumsy , subject matter too safe for my liking and musical style far too introspective .

The title track " Beautiful Collision " is a pleasant surprise after wading through tracks like the 60s soft rock style song " Get some sleep " and the slow country waltz " Be all and end all ".The song " Beautiful Collision " sounds like a song from an old Broadway Musical with its plucked strings and orchestral sound . Bic Runga leaves the safety of singing in one octave to adventure into the upper mid range of her voice . Personally I prefer the risk Bic Runga takes with this song and I wish there were more songs like " Beautiful Collision " on the album . The album finishes with three more lack lustre songs including " Listening for the Weather " which drags along due to an uninspired arrangement which is too "goody two shoes" for my tastes .Many reviewers have described this album as Nostalgic , maybe because Bic Runga is now a New Zealand Icon and one risks exile if one criticizes her music . My personal feeling is that Bic Runga needs to find zest for her music or we may not see a third album for quite a while .Where others describe Beautiful Collision as Nostalgic , I describe the album as Dreary .

As well as the song " Beautiful Collision " , my other picks are the songs " Election night " and " Precious Things " , which have a sultry groove thanks to slick drum programming .In these songs I enjoy Bic Runga's originality and melodic surprises .

Bic Runga produced Beautiful Collision . To return to the positive her production is faultless . The opening track , which is guitar and voice , introduces us to the warmth of her rich voice and pure musicianship .I found that after many listenings the album grew on me in a gentle kind of way .

The best thing Sony could do for New Zealand music is let Bic Runga go and in doing so hopefully allow her the freedom to be herself . I believe New Zealand would hear a very different Bic .

Deborah's opinion : A very long 40 minutes