Regina Spektor

KarmaContestant · #1 12-13-2011, 05:39 PM

Am I the only Regina Spektor fan on this board? I've mentioned her a few times in passing but never noticed anyone else comment about her.

I don't believe she gets much radio play, at least not in my neck of the woods. She has a live album that was released recently and I bought it on vinyl as a Christmas gift for my boyfriend because he loves her so much - maybe more than I do, but I'm not sure about that. Regardless, he was a fan before I was. I'd really like to open that record and give it a spin, but I'm trying to be patient.

Regina was born in Soviet Russia; her family migrated to England and then New York where she developed her interesting perspective on the world. Her voice is one of the most amazing, purest things I have ever heard and is virtually without flaws of any sort.

I'd venture to say Regina is one of the most talented artists in the *world* right now.

If you're not familiar, here are a few videos to check out - some of my favorites.

HejiraNYC · #2 12-13-2011, 05:45 PM

^^Am I wrong for considering Regina Spektor to be a somewhat less interesting version of Fiona Apple?

Don't get me wrong... I have most of her albums. But it takes the patience of a saint to warm up to these songs- most of which are just voice/piano pieces. I have vowed to enure myself with Regina's music... but it's gonna take a lot of work!

Silver Springs · #3 12-13-2011, 05:45 PM

I'm a fan of hers, especially her album "Mary Ann Meets The Gravediggers". I don't listen to her as often as I would other artists, because I tend to find that her music is an acquired taste, depending on the moment. A lot of Soviet Kitsch for example is very depressing to me. So I need to be in the right mood for it. But I did listen to a few of her sons today because I was feeling in a fun mood, so Poor Little Rich Boy, The Time, Love Affair and Ghost Of Corporate Future were appropriate. I need to get her latest music and listen to see what new stuff she has to offer, because I'm the first to admit I dropped the ball a bit in my fandom.

nailatixela · #4 12-13-2011, 09:33 PM

I love what I've heard of Regina. I have some of the 11:11 album, and I've got all of Begin to Hope and Far. I love them so much, and didn't find them hard to warm up to at all.....suggestions on where to go next would be appreciated!

KarmaContestant · #5 12-13-2011, 09:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HejiraNYC

^^Am I wrong for considering Regina Spektor to be a somewhat less interesting version of Fiona Apple?

Don't get me wrong... I have most of her albums. But it takes the patience of a saint to warm up to these songs- most of which are just voice/piano pieces. I have vowed to enure myself with Regina's music... but it's gonna take a lot of work!

Hmm...no, not wrong. I wouldn't have thought to put her in the same vein as Fiona musically, but I do love Fiona's music, maybe more than Regina. They're very different lyrically; Regina writes songs that are at worst quirky/silly (It tastes like soap but it doesn't really taste like soap!) and at best inspirational - whereas, for me, Fiona is a bit on the CRAZY side (the best kind of scorned-love crazy), maybe a bit spiteful and definitely coming from a place of...emotional pain or loss? They both have an amazing intensity when performing live!

Quote:

Originally Posted by nailatixela

I love what I've heard of Regina. I have some of the 11:11 album, and I've got all of Begin to Hope and Far. I love them so much, and didn't find them hard to warm up to at all.....suggestions on where to go next would be appreciated!

Soviet Kitsch is an album of orginal songs, but I think that's all of her material except Mary Ann Meets The Gravediggers (which I believe is a compilation album - but I'm not sure since I don't have it).

Quote:

Originally Posted by Silver Springs

I'm a fan of hers, especially her album "Mary Ann Meets The Gravediggers". I don't listen to her as often as I would other artists, because I tend to find that her music is an acquired taste, depending on the moment. A lot of Soviet Kitsch for example is very depressing to me. So I need to be in the right mood for it. But I did listen to a few of her sons today because I was feeling in a fun mood, so Poor Little Rich Boy, The Time, Love Affair and Ghost Of Corporate Future were appropriate. I need to get her latest music and listen to see what new stuff she has to offer, because I'm the first to admit I dropped the ball a bit in my fandom.

Her most recent, Far is my favorite - and more resembles her older works. Begin to Hope is more commercial, but is the album that introduced me to her so I've got some sentimental attachments to it.

I don't know if I believe in angels, but have at times suspected that Regina could be one.... Absurd, I know.

Nico · #6 12-14-2011, 01:33 AM

I love her. I have all her albums and they are simply wonderful- her voice grabs me. My favorite songs of hers at the moment are this one:

and this FANTASTIC cover of John Lennon's "Real Love:"

KarmaContestant · #7 12-14-2011, 04:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nico

and this FANTASTIC cover of John Lennon's "Real Love:"

You probably know this already, but this was released on a tribute album - I think iTunes sells it if you don't have the song; and yes, it is fantastic!

Nico · #8 12-14-2011, 05:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KarmaContestant

You probably know this already, but this was released on a tribute album - I think iTunes sells it if you don't have the song; and yes, it is fantastic!

Yes, I own the CD. It's beautiful as a studio version as well.