Regina Spektor

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.”