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By Jeremy Grand
On her latest album, Begin to Hope, this tendency continues with an easy-going, obsessive flow melded with lyricism and vocals of which the world has never heard.
This is the second major label record for Spektor, following the acclaimed Soviet Kitsch. She has two previous independent releases, the hard to find 11:11 and Songs. After the success of Soviet Kitsch, the producers seemed to have made some changes in Spektor's musical styling, adding and adapting more of an instrumental and digital background, whereas previously it was mainly Spektor and her piano. Although this can often be a disappointing factor in an artist's career, on Spektor's latest excursion this is not the case. The extras are quite welcome and add a wonderful array of sounds and harmony to this brilliant artist's agenda.
The album begins with Fidelity, an instant hook and a jovial, catchy and pop-worthy display, which would make anyone become "lost in the sound."
The gorgeous Samson, re-sang with the same love as the original recording on Songs has lost none of its charm, enabling newer fans who have never heard the original albums to appreciate one of the most beautiful love songs of this century.
The single On the Radio proudly displays Spektor's sense of playful poeticism: "On the radio / we heard November Rain / that song is awful long / but it's a pretty song / we listened to it twice / because the DJ was asleep / on the radio." It's hard not to smile.
In this midst of ridiculousness, there is seriousness. Field Below, 20 Years of Snow and Lady take the tempo down when necessary. Apres Moi takes it to a more aggressive place, incorporating Russian lyrics, deep piano pounds and her signature Bronx accent that just seems to make everything more realistic.
That Time is reminiscent of Your Honor from Soviet Kitsch, bringing out the inner hard rock demon that occasionally pokes its bad-ass head out from lines of Spektor's clever poetry, and proudly exploiting her as an actual human being.
In an age of disappointing sequels, Spektor fails at disappointing. Her songs have remained constant and consistently beautiful, and kudos to those who can match them.
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Perpetual Toxins © 2006-2007 - All Rights Reserved |
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he shock haired ravenous beauty who calls herself Regina Spektor has this strange tendency to create beautifully poetic songs that will stay in your head for days and days.
