Elly Roberts reviews
Regina Spektor: Begin To Hope
Distributed by
Sire Records
- Released: July 2006
- Rating: 8/10
It may well be a profound prediction, but Regina Spektor should now be considered the ‘new Carole King’.
After spending time globe trotting, 2003’s album Soviet Kitsch
became her calling card. Eager to return to the studio for two months in
2005 at New York Noise, Begin To Hope consolidates her credentials
as a popish orientated tunesmith, whose work also draws some comparisons with
Brit sensation Sandi Thom.
Russian born multi-instrumentalist Spektor said of her experience, "Before
I even started I knew I was going to experiment with things I’ve only thought
about, like beats and drums. I really wanted to play with electronic
instruments and bigger arrangements. Still on this record, there are some
songs where it’s really sparse. I had to be careful so the music wouldn’t
be more fun to make than to listen to."
With that mission statement in mind, Spektor has achieved her aims, with
style and panache. Nowadays, it’s a brave lady who sets such an overwhelming
agenda and succeeds. The beats, first sampled on simple catchy pop gem and
album opener,
Fidelity, which almost refers to her mindset, "I got lost in the
sounds / I hear in my mind / All these voices / I hear in my mind / All
these words / I hear in my mind / All this music."
In a similar frame, is last single On The Radio, one of many
radio-friendly songs along with bouncy Hotel Song. The sparseness
Spektor mentions applies to piano-lead heavenly beauty Summer In The City,
and Lady (complete with sensual sax breaks by Ralph U.Williams). Her only
rock concession is the bass-driven blast of That Time. Her piano skills
really come to the fore on beaty complex Edit.
Spektor has proved she’s here for the long run.
Look out Dido, this girl is way ahead and more interesting.
The full list of tracks included are :
Review & concert pics copyright © Elly Roberts, 2004-2010.
