Music Review: Regina Spektor will Become a Household Name

Authored by Scott Goldberg on December 1, 2006 - 7:08am.

The Russian native and one-woman band Regina Spektor is going mainstream following a steady gig as The Strokes’ favorite opening act. Her first album with Sire Records, Begin to Hope, will have a wider appeal than 11:11, her debut, and Soviet Kitsch, but it’s still thoroughly Regina. Comparisons from music critics include Norah Jones (because Spektor is fond of the piano), Fiona Apple (because at times she sings powerfully about being a powerful female), and Tristan Prettyman (because her lyrics are sweet and easy). But it doesn’t take long to realize she has a style all her own, musically and lyrically. She can sing the blues with the best, sounding like Billie Holiday’s “Strange Fruit” on the song “Lady,” or bring out her darker side and sound like Bjork on “Apres Moi.”

I first saw her in Chicago at the Aragon Ballroom opening for The Strokes, as was the case for many people in 2003. Discussion amongst the people around me buzzed, “Who is this?” to which no one could answer. The occasional fan would nod knowingly, “It’s Regina Spektor. She’s so good.” What will stay with me is that Ms. Spektor, whose act is a mellow, playful one, successfully opened for The Strokes, which was no small feat when you consider the audience was preparing for a night of raging, 80’s-style party music, and for the most part had no idea who she was.

Spektor’s music consists primarily of a keyboard and drum, which she plays simultaneously, and sounds a lot like Meg White of The White Stripes, who happens to use two hands and doesn’t play the keyboard (or the guitar, which Spektor occasionally employs). She’s talented enough while listening to her records, but her live performances, of course, really demonstrate her skill. Her voice range is astounding, her instrumental talent is on par with another popular one-man show of the modern day, Xavier Rudd, and her presence and sheer joy of performance make a 45-minute set go by all too fast.

Begin to Hope is an excellent album with no weaknesses. It has the crispness and sophistication of a maturing artist and provides an excellent base to the world of Regina Spektor. Follow it up with Soviet Kitsch, a more experimental record, but no less captivating.

Scott Goldberg

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Comments

you have some things wrong

Submitted by Alyssa (not verified) on December 5, 2006 - 12:36pm.

I just though i would clarify that Regina is from the bronx. Secondly i cannot understand why everyone feels the need to compare her to bjork or norah jones or tori amos. Can't she just sound like herself? Can't she sound like a woman trying to make music, personal music with distinct meanings and with a completely different style and sound than the female artists she's constantly being compared to? Never do i see Kurt Cobaine compared with Jeff Buckley just because they are both men with guitars, so why does Regina Spektor have to be compared with Norah Jones just because they're both females with pianos? What gives everyone the urge to classify everything they hear and/or see? Thank you.

Re: you have some things wrong

Submitted by Scott Goldberg (not verified) on December 5, 2006 - 3:25pm.

Alyssa - Thanks for reading. Just to clarify for you, I am not comparing Regina to Norah Jones, Fiona Apple, or Tristan Prettyman, I'm only listing 3 of the people other critics constantly compare her to (though the song "Lady" does sound like Billie Holiday on "Strang Fruit," and if you're a jazz fan you'll know that's about the highest compliment any female singer can paid, and I'm sure Regina wouldn't mind). See the following excerpt from the article: "Comparisons from music critics include Norah Jones (because Spektor is fond of the piano), Fiona Apple (because at times she sings powerfully about being a powerful female), and Tristan Prettyman (because her lyrics are sweet and easy). But it doesn’t take long to realize she has a style all her own, musically and lyrically." As to your other point, it turns out we're both wrong. Regina is from Moscow, born there in 1980. Thanks again for reading. Scott

Regina is a native of ... ?

Submitted by dcrane on January 22, 2007 - 10:56am.

Regina Spektor in not a "Brooklyn native," nor was she born in the USA. She was born in Moscow, Russia, USSR and emigrated to the Bronx at age nine in 1989. She teaches public school in Mt. Vernon, NY, in Westchester County.

Re: Regina is a native of...?

Submitted by Scott Goldberg on January 22, 2007 - 11:10am.

Dave - Thanks for the comment. As you can see on my comment from December 5, I corrected myself with the information you provided. I appreciate the feeback. Thanks for reading! Scott