Music Review: Regina Spektor

Reviewed by Talia Goodman, 16

Massachusetts

Classically trained Regina Spektor is a 32-year-old, Russian-born singer and songwriter who redefines pop with her unorthodox lyrics, quirky style, and utter cuteness. Her ability to incorporate unique guttural vocalizations and off-tempo flurries into her foot-tapping melodies sets her apart from other musicians.

Sweet-voiced Spektor, who's normal speaking voice is like soft, ethereal honeydew, continues to amass an ever-growing fan base while still managing to remain humbled by her success. Instead of the usual top-40 topics of love, sex, and partying that seem to be the themes of most artists these days, Spektor prefers to keep it real with songs about taboo issues such as substance abuse and teen prostitution.  These messages are layered over by her upbeat tempos and hersweet, innocent-sounding voice that makes you want to say, "Regina, when did you ever get high and watch your friend OD??" ("That Time")

I had the absolute delight of getting to experience Regina's musical talent live when she came to the Orpheum theater in Boston in May, and I have to say that, unlike many of today's artists, her recorded music is not a smoke-and-mirrors collage of robotic filters and ambient bass tones, but the real package. Her voice sounded just like, if not better than, the one I've been jamming to on my Ipod for years. At one point, I found myself screaming, "Come home with me and be my personal pod!" to which she sadly did not utter a response, if she heard me.

At the concert, I felt complete, utter happiness. A Regina Spektor concert is one of those experiences you remember until you die; a phenomenon of the power of one voice that is as ineffable as it is otherworldly. The best way I can describe the energy pumping through that theater was that I felt an immense connection with everyone else in the audience in our total, unending affection for the little woman sitting awkwardly at the piano tapping the keys and belting out her undulating melodies.

It was something that brought all of us in the audience, we who had come from such different backgrounds and with such different stories, together in our unified love for Regina. It's more than just love for an amazing artist; it's love, even for one who is 17 years her junior, like she is all of our little sister. You don't just want to see her sing; you so much want to see her succeed.

Regina's newest album, "What We Saw From the Cheap Seats," was released on May 29^th.  It includes many of Regina's old songs revived and revamped; it promises to be an even bigger hit than its predecessors. If you find that you enjoy Regina's music, you might also enjoy JayMay, Lenka, the Decemberists, and Gregory and the Hawk.

For more information on Regina Spektor, see: http://reginaspektor.com/

Spektor is about to go on tour, including a stop in Providence in October.  See: https://www.facebook.com/reginaspektor?sk=events