My Amazon Reviews: Regina Spektor "Far"

[blackleatherbookshelf]

Far from ordinary, 4 Out of 5 Stars

Regina Spektor comes from the world of singer songwriters who aren't content to smooth out the wrinkles in their songs, but is content to let her quirks stand as part of her work. While it is noticeable that her skills have become more refined since her bid for mainstream acceptance (Soviet Kitsch), there's no way anyone will confuse "Far" with Brittany Spears. If there's anyone I'd compare Spektor to in recent memory, it would be Kate Bush or maybe Fiona Apple.

Spektor has the same somewhat left of center qualities as these artists, all while containing an endearing quality that is solely hers. "Far" is much of the piano based pop that fans have already become accustomed to (and I have to admit, only became addicted to when Begin to Hope's "Fidelity" was used in an Equality advertisement), like the clever-to-cute "The Calculation." She plays with her darker side on "Machine," while also finding emotional depth on the remarkable "Laughing With."

"No one laughs at God on the day they realize

that the last sight they'll ever see is a pair of hateful eyes.

No one's laughing at God

when they're saying their goodbyes."

And when you also consider that Spektor enlisted four producers, it's amazing just of seamless "Far" sounds. I had to check online to see who produced the particular tracks, which is a credit to the power of Spektor's personality and songwriting. That said, I really loved what Jeff Lynne did to "Blue Lips" and marveled at just how lovely Spektor sounds with an orchestra. Spektor is melodic, emotional, catchy, funny, innovative and beautiful...sometimes all inside the same song ("Eet"). She is one of those artists that you put the CD into the player and just let it play through, over and over. That's something you just can't say about too many artists nowadays.

Comments

[stivalineri.livejournal.com]

I like her recordings, but she was so bad on SNL, and I'm getting so tired of bands and artists that can't sing or perform well live, and need massive production and auto-tuning to make a passable performance. TV on the Radio is another example. I don't mind flubs or singing a little flat or forgetting the words at a concert, but if the gulf between the sound of the recording and the live performance is too wide, then really - these artists should only record like Todd Rundgren or perhaps just write songs for others and produce.

[tbrough.livejournal.com]

Funny - I enjoyed Spektor on SNL. Just the right balance of sincerity and imperfection. TV On The Radio, I follow you on. Their performance was so awful that I lost all interest in them.