I hardly think of Regina Spektor as an artist as much as I think of her as a revolutionary. I can clearly recall the first time I heard Regina’s music. I had never heard music like that before; I had never heard a female singer who was so unafraid to break barriers, and that is exactly what Regina does. Her music is truly unique, a title that is hardly deserved by any other contemporary artist that comes to mind, save Sufjan Stevens. Her songs are filled with passionate, poignant phrases, both musical and lyrical. Not to mention that she has several songs in different languages . . . very impressive.
It is not so much that Regina’s voice is what sets her apart; it is what she does with her voice. Call me an oldie, but my favorite Regina album has to be Songs. Songs is Regina’s second, and in my humble opinion, best album. This is because Songs features Regina’s material at the most personal and intimate level (Not to mention it features the better version of “Samson”). It’s raw Regina, no fancy synths or backbeats . . . just a girl with a piano. The result is a collection of deeply expressive songs that don’t compromise or back off of emotions, no matter how ugly or pretty they are to hear. It almost feels as though you are sitting next to Regina as she plays the songs, not for you, but for herself. I’ve heard this album called “unlistenable”. Now, I could see how Begin to Hope is a tad more accessible than Songs . . . however, if you can set aside your judgment and pay attention to musical choices she makes you’ll find a wellspring of creativity.
The reason I bring up Songs is that throughout the record Regina pushes the boundaries of what the voice can express. Sometimes it can be painful, but just like the topics she sings about, not everything is pretty. You want to look away, you want to ignore it, but Regina does not back away from what is difficult to swallow. Regina uses her voice to express the emotion of the piece much in the way that an actor might for a monologue. Her voice is raw and new, a break from female pop vocals and a reminder that the voice can do so much more than just sing a pretty song. A prime example is the all-a cappella “Aching to Pupate”. It will blow your mind, and that is exactly what makes Regina worth celebrating.
Artists such as Yael Naïm could’ve never made their way in this business if Regina hadn’t paved the way first. She is a prolific songwriter and performer. Her music draws from classic sources (see “Lacrimosa”) and sometimes from what we can only presume is her own creativity (see “Reading Time with Pickle” or “Daniel Cowman”). Regina Spektor is doing so much more than just writing songs, she’s opening our minds and making us listen closer, and in her music there is so much to listen to and for. If you are looking for fluff, you will not find it in Regina’s music. You will find music that stares directly into the core of humanity’s failures and, without blinking, finds hope and meaning and even happiness.
Regina can be smart, silly, thoughtful, and serious . . . you can’t ask much more from an artist, can you?
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