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 Wow Nov 21, 2009
I must say, when Begin To hope came out in 2006, I was very disappointed at how poppy mainstream it sounded, and there were only a few good songs on the album. Now this one, Far, will blow you away. It has the creative edge of Soviet Kirsch, her first album, with dark, agressive, piano playing. The music itself tells a story, and her quirkiness and pure talent will keep you asking for more. This is one cd you can play over and over in your car and never get tired of.
1 of 2 found the following review helpful:
 Ya boy is back! Nov 15, 2009
...And I'm referring to myself, as in I'm back to writing reviews. Anyway, I was pleased to hear Regina Spektor was performing on Saturday Night Live because I have been a fan of hers for years. And since I listened to and enjoyed her last album Begin to Hope, I didn't hesitate to pick up Far.
If people still aren't familiar with Regina, I'll say two things: 1) I won't classify her music as anti-folk because I said a while ago that classifying something as "anti-" anything is pretty broad; and 2) her music is not to be taken lightly because as reviewer Courtney Murphy pointed out, the average listener might think the songs run into each other. The only real exception to this would probably be the opening track, "The Calculation" (which might be the best song).
But there are plenty of nice songs on here, like "Man of a Thousand Faces", the introspective "Laughing With" and the bouncy "Eet". Speaking of bouncy, though, the second chorus of "Folding Chair" doesn't feel right; and the song that follows it, "Machine", really doesn't make any sense. And I'm used to Regina being a storyteller, but "Wallet" didn't hold my interest. Still, Far proves that great music isn't too far away, so pick it up.
Anthony Rupert
1 of 2 found the following review helpful:
Regina's best, so far... Nov 11, 2009
Regina Spektor's third proper album is arguably her best so far. It is probably even more polished than Begin To Hope, something that usually turns me down, but as far as song-writing goes this is clearly a superior collection.
The album kicks off with what I think is its less interesting song. But from that on it's all very good. Apart from polished, the production choices are here and there a bit corny - I can only imagine a striped down piano version of Blue Lips, without that tasteless rhythm section... - but it never actually kills the songs. These songs are so good that they could stand just on piano and vocals.
Even when the song is built upon an overused, uninteresting chord sequence, like on Folding Chair, Regina pulls off some magic with the exquisite ooh-ooh-ooh chorus. In fact one of her most remarkable abilities is the way she can create memorable choruses without using any words (Folding Chair, Eet, Dance Anthem of the 80s, One More Time With Feeling). And check out the way she delivers the line "At a cocktail party while listening to a good God-themed joke" on Laughing With. There's definitely something special about this woman.
There are a number of standout tracks: Eet, Laughing With, Human of the Year, Man of a Thousand Faces, Dance Anthem of the 80s... I could go on... But the bottom line is this is Regina's most mature album. For those like me who fell in love with Soviet Kitsch for its raw quirkiness, you must listen past the polished production and find the great songs that are here. It's not raw, but it's still quirky and it's still great music. In fact it is her best.
2 of 2 found the following review helpful:
Haunting Nov 10, 2009
This is one of the most addictive and haunting CD's I have ever listened to. I just love her style and the folksy lyrics. I find myself hearing bits of her songs over and over again in my head - that almost never happens to me! What a wonderful artist **applause**
2 of 2 found the following review helpful:
Another Classic From Ms. Spektor.. Nov 02, 2009
If two words can never be mentioned in the same sentence, those words would be 'disappointing' and 'Regina Spektor.' Okay, so it's three words, but you get the point. As usual, Regina delivers another amazing album that will surely be a classic. After Regina's 'Begin To Hope', it would be hard to imagine Spektor could create something that would even come close to touching such a magnificent album, but boy did she. A MUST have album.
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