I cannot
remember where I first heard Regina Spektor (hopefully it was on the radio), but
my first purchase was the "Begin to Hope" album in Buenos Aires in
2007, instantly captivated, it remains one of my favourite albums. She had
already released three prior CDs, (two of them self-released) but this was more
accessible and appealing.
Born in
Moscow during the Soviet Union times, Spektor loved playing the piano, continuing after the family's emigration to New York., when
she was 9. Her early releases were classified
as anti-folk, but she soon encompassed pop, singer-songwriter, blues or even
theatrical. Scarily smart, her lyrics are frequently peppered with witty,
foreign languages, cultural and literary references.
"On the
Radio", the first single from the album, has the typical Spektor trademark
piano, but now adding beats for a more radio-friendly pop song, while still
retaining enough quirkiness for the devoted fan.
The subject
could barely be wider, as she tackles life and death, similar to the great Russian
writers, but in her case in four minute song. She covers growing up ("You're young until you're not"),
family, love ("walking arm in arm"),
heartbreak, resilience ("do
it all again") and finally death. There is an encouragement is to enjoy
your life and treasure happy memories, like a favourite song - (Guns & Roses' "November
Rain" name-checked) played twice on the radio ('Cause
the DJ was asleep").
Then of
course, there is her glorious idiosyncratic singing - utilising her range, often
doubling as an instrument, affectations, hiccups ("uh-oh"), like a
21st century Buddy Holly. You may not like the songs, but you will never bore
of her vocal gymnastics.
Spektor never
really hit large mainstream success, but earned a loyal fan base, including
Jenji Kohan (who requested the theme song for "Orange is the New
Black" ). A quirky and rewarding artist.
Hear Now - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tHAhnJbGy9M
Hear Next -
"Begin to Hope" is the best album to explore first.
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