Regina Spektor's "Far" Is Far From Ordinary

Posted on July 30, 2009 - 7:53pm by Contributing Co... Far marks the 5th album release by 29 year old American singer-songwriter Regina Spektor. Since her emergence on the music scene in 2004, Spektor has traditionally found her following on the UK and international charts, with a small but strong cult following in the US. Though she channels an almost Alanis Morissette, Joni Mitchell or Sarah Bareilles feel to her songs, her music is much less mainstream, all-together lacking the commercialism of some of her singer-songwriter contemporaries. But with an extremely broad vocal range and uncanny knack for manipulating sounds, words and instruments, Spektor's music has a completely unique feel that somehow stands out above the rest.

With a plethora of piano-based experimental music, Far, released internationally by Sire Records, continues Regina Spektor's legacy of anti-folk music a style indigenous to her own NYC East Village. As always, her music echoes not only her New York City style, but the singer's even deeper Russian and Jewish roots. With her story-telling way of writing, Spektor weaves imaginative scenes and dictated dream sequences throughout each track, taking the listener on a magical musical journey. Riddled with the trademark catchy, poppy tunes like "The Calculation" and the melodically fantastic "Dance Anthem of the 80's" that have made her popular, Spektor amazes listeners with vocal & musical styles that range from pop to beat-box, alternative to Bollywood-worthy vibrato. But it's not all laughs, as the singer takes a hard-hit at social commentary with her album's first MySpace-released single "Laughing With" and it's rather dark and ominous b-side "Blue Lips." All in all, Far is an engaging and relaxing montage of harmonious flavors.

Regina Spektor is definitely music for a hipster generation and though at times you might feel that listening to it would require one to don their skinny jeans and graphic tee, Far is just general feel-good music perfect background for anyone's lazy summer's day. For more on Regina Spektor visit: reginaspektor.com or sirerecords.com [gallery]