Oh, Regina, Where to Begin? (by Evan)

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?

Re•Spekt (by Elle D.)

(Listen to this playlist online!)

As I was brainstorming how best to introduce Regina Spektor’s style of music, I ran through a bunch of different genres in my mind. Was she more anti-folk? Indie? Jazz? Pop rock? (Where it sits in any store that carries her CD’s, from what I’ve seen). I then realized, after much contemplation and listening to every one of Regina Spektor’s songs, that her music fits in nowhere . . . and yet at the same time, it fits in everywhere. By this I mean: each song is innovative and takes unthinkable twists and turns, both through the stories her lyrics tell and the sounds that instantly engrave themselves in your mind (and you’ll be glad they did), but through all of this, her music is easy to relate to. Each story told has been or could be about someone’s life.

This playlist of 22 songs comes from her 4 previous albums (excluding Compilations, Singles, and EP’s) 11:11, Songs, Soviet Kitsch, and Begin to Hope. Each album has its own unique flair to it and it is sometimes easy to tell what her earlier songs are (stronger instrumentals, a few musically spellbinding moments, vocal spontaneity), compared to her later ones (a wider variety of instruments, stronger vocals, catchy choruses and hooks). This is certainly a long playlist (sort of a "double feature", if you will) but well worth every moment of your time to give it the full listen. When you listen to Regina Spektor's captivating and distinguished sound, you'll begin to hope at 11:11 for more brilliant songs. Kitschy? You be the judge. Enjoy!

1. Fidelity [BH] - This is one of Spektor’s most popular songs found in her last album Begin to Hope. It tells of the difficulty of commitment and trust in relationships and it is particularly fun to sing along to both for its poppy sound and relatable lyrics.

2. Love Affair [11:11]- So this might be a bit of a stretch, but I could picture this spunky jazz tune becoming a pop song (if the piano became more subtle), with its infectious rhythm and (compared to some of Spektor’s other works) straightforward lyrics. However, Spektor’s piano and vocal range proves this song to be one of a kind.

3. Somedays [SK] - Upon first hearing this song, I felt like it was a perfect transition into her next album, Begin to Hope. It is sad and has a hook which she uses more in her newer albums (Soviet Kitsch, Begin to Hope, Far) than her older ones. Overall a very relatable song.

4. Us [SK]- This fast moving love song creates a euphoric feeling when you listen to it, and the only thing that could better showcase it is the music video.

5. Lady [BH]-A song about Billie Holliday and her life as a blues singer. It’s not hard to get the image of a lady walking through a foggy alley at midnight. That’s pretty specific, but I wouldn’t doubt other listeners being able to create a similar image in their minds. The saxophone solo at the end really rounds out the bluesy feel that is never lost throughout the song.

6. Ne Me Quitte Pas [Songs]- Vivid childhood memories come to life with this song’s story-telling lyrics and upbeat sound. Quite fun to hum or (if you are blessed with such talent) sing to!

7. Apres Moi [BH]- The music and lyrics combine to create chills down your spine in this very eerie song that is kept alive by the violins, piano, drums, and tube bells, not to mention the mixture of French lyrics and an old Russian poem.

8. Consequence of Sounds [Songs]- If you can follow her lyrics, you’ll note how the simple chorus perfectly complements the wordy quips found in each verse.

9. On the Radio [BH] -A song that experiments with many instruments (besides Spektor’s specialty—piano) If you didn’t know what album this song was from, based on her vocal ingenuity you can tell it wouldn’t “fit in” with any album before Begin to Hope.

10. Chemo Limo [SK] - A remarkably sad song that seems to be taking on a first person narrative of a mother dying of cancer. She covers real life issues such as not being there for her children growing up and making sure they are financially secure. The surprisingly catchy chorus helps emphasize each verse and this whole song will linger on in your mind long after you hear it.

11. That Time [BH] - This song, played with just a guitar, is the kind of song you’d want to be playing in a montage of your life, with every little detail expressed as though it was a life changing moment.

12. Braille [11:11]- This song is beautifully sung to say the least, and the lyrics tell the story of a woman dealing with a rough life filled with mistakes, and as she grows up she begins to long for her past.

13. Back of a Truck [11:11]- This is another jazz song that reeks of impulsiveness and tells of city life, in particular that of New York.

14. Hotel Song [BH]- Although the song is very fun, the lyrics indirectly tell the story of a prostitute (from my interpretation) who knows she’ll never actually get close to the one she loves. This is one of my favorites, due to the literary devices and cheerfully misleading sound.

15. Lulliby [Songs]- Truly a fitting title, this song is gentle enough to lull any person to sleep and ensure sweet dreams.

16. Oedpius [Songs]- For any fans of classic literature and theater, this song makes a reference to Sophocles’ Oedipus the King. This is not the first time Spektor has paid tribute to a piece of literature (Samson and Après Moi are just a few examples), and if you give it a few minutes it will certainly get stuck in your head..

17. Summer in the City [BH] -The mellow sound of the song does in no way disguise the gutsy lyrics (“So I went to a protest, just to rub up against strangers” is one of the milder lines) that tell a story of missing being near a loved one.

18. Ode to Divorce [SK]- A slow, sad song that you’d probably feel like listening to on a rainy day.

19. I Want to Sing [11:11]- This song, beautifully sung a cappella feels pure and off the cuff, as if Spektor just recorded herself singing live in a coffee shop. This song will put you in a trance and the only thing missing is a crowd snapping at the end.

20. Samson [Songs & BH] - One of Spektor’s most lovely songs, Samson is the biblical tale (Samson and Delilah), put in a modern setting (“he ate a slice of wonder bread”) alleging to the fact that love is not restricted to one time period. A personal favorite.

21. The Flowers [SK]- A fast song that is like a maze winding every which way. Phenomenal piano playing skills in this one.

22. Field Below [BH] - A slow but gorgeous song that would be perfect to listen to as you are lying in a field . . . below . . . on a breezy summer day.

Link to the playlist: http://www.playlist.com/playlist/16830374155

COMING SOON: The third (and final) day of Regina Spektor Week here on Moxie & Mayhem! Don't miss it!

NEW Album Review: Far - Regina Spektor (by Ally and Ellie)

I had never heard of Regina Spektor before the movie The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian, in which her song “The Call” is featured. I fell completely in love with this song and the artist who created it, so I started checking out some of Spektor’s other hits and I have become a huge fan of her work. Spektorʼs new album Far, released on Tuesday June 23rd, is a wonderful and diverse mixture of tracks: from funky, upbeat tunes that are perfect to sing along to on a sunny summer day while driving down the highway with the windows down, to lyrical songs which are made for rainy, contemplative days indoors, and draw you into the stories they are telling. Highly recommended for Spektor fans.

Here’s a rundown of the tracks:

1. The Calculation- Fun song that makes you want to bop about. It also really makes you think about how love isn’t just an equation that gives you the same answer every time, no matter which numbers you plug in. Some listeners might be disappointed to discover that math class wasn’t the hardest thing in life.
2. Eet- A sorrowful but soulful tune that, at first, just makes you want to curl up in a blanket on your couch and wonder why, but by the end makes you want to jump up and search for the answers and reasons. “It’s like forgetting the words to your favorite song/ You can’t believe it/ You were always singing along/ It was so easy and the words so sweet/ You can’t remember, you try to feel the beat”.
   
3. Blue Lips- This song tells the story of a man who is discontent with life. The detailed lyrics and the harmonies of the piano draw you in, and you can’t wait to hear the story unfold. Spektor’s vocals sound strong and effortless over the soaring instrumentals, yet it is the notes she sings for the more subdued chorus that are truly gorgeous.
4. Folding Chair- A cheerful song which reminds you to truly appreciate the simple things in life. A quirky chorus imitating “dolphin song” and lyrics like “I’ve got a perfect body ‘cause my eyelashes catch my sweat”, round out this track.
5. Machine- A song about mankind’s dependency on electronics with constant moving rhythms in the piano that paint the picture of a machine in the listener’s mind. Spektor somehow manages to make scathing social commentary sound sexy.
6. Laughing With- A song that everyone can relate to with a sarcastic refrain designed to make people see the hypocrisy of themselves or others, and a message that is particularly relevant politically and socially these days. This is one of the more religious tracks on this album, but Spektor’s sweet sincerity is completely disarming and saves it from coming across as preachy.
7. Human of the Year- Another one of Spektorʼs lyrical songs. It tells the story of a man who won the Human of the Year award. Melodically, it purposefully begins a little on the mundane side, but evolves into a soaring gospel feel towards the end of the song.
8. Two Birds- An upbeat, metaphorical song about a woman who is ready to go out and conquer the world while her man is a bit hesitant.
9. Dance Anthem of the 80ʼs- Cute little song that really does remind you of the chart toppers of the 80ʼs. And if you think the song itself is adorable, wait until you see the music video!
10. Genius Next Door- A melancholy song telling the story of a misunderstood man and the indifferent community he lives in. Not the most memorable track on this exceptional album, but very pretty.
11. Wallet- A woman wonders about the man behind the wallet. This track really speaks to the listener, and might make you examine your own wallet more closely, curious to see what its contents say about you as a person.
12. One More Time With Feeling- An uplifting song that takes Shakespeare’s quote “all the world’s a stage” to heart. It certainly wouldn’t seem out of place being sung on stage in a musical.
13. Man of a Thousand Faces- A slow and haunting song that leaves you feeling pensive and wanting more.
    

Ellie's favorite tracks: "The Calculation", "Blue Lips", and "Dance Anthem of the 80s".

Ally's favorite tracks: "Folding Chair", "The Calculation", and "Laughing With".

All in all, a lovely album that is well worth the purchase.

COMING THURSDAY: A playlist of the best of Regina Spektor's previous albums! All part of Regina Spektor Week here on Moxie & Mayhem!

~REGINA SPEKTOR WEEK~

June 23rd - June 27th

Tell your friends.


(Moxie & Mayhem)

Sun, Sun, Sun: Another Summer Mix (by Ellie)

Continuing this week’s theme of creating a soundtrack for your summer, here are eleven more tracks that celebrate long sunny days, warm breezy nights, and all the fun in between. From the ultimate guilty pleasure “5 Years Time” by Noah and the Whale (think Wes Anderson meets ABBA), to the gorgeous hymn “I’ll Fly Away” (from the O Brother, Where Art Thou? soundtrack), to the mellow jazz of Sergio Mendes & Brasil ’65’s “So Nice”, these songs are best served with a scoop of gelato and an ice-cold lemonade. Also included are classic favorites like Scott McKenzie’s “San Francisco”, new favorites like Coldplay’s “Strawberry Swing”, retro-inspired songs like “Phantom Limb” by The Shins, and global-inspired songs like “A-Punk” by Vampire Weekend. So pull up a lawn chair, dip your toes into the wading pool, and turn up the stereo.

1. Noah and the Whale – 5 Years Time
2. Coldplay – Strawberry Swing
3. Scott McKenzie – San Francisco (Be Sure to Wear Flowers In Your Hair)
4. Sergio Mendes & Brasil ’65 – So Nice (Summer Samba)
   
5. Eels – Fresh Feeling
6. Polyphonic Spree –Section 22: Running Away
7. Vampire Weekend – A-Punk
8. The Shins – Phantom Limb
9. Santigold – Lights Out
10. Alison Krauss & Gillian Welch – I’ll Fly Away
11. The Broken West – Down in the Valley

Summertime, and the Livin’ Is Easy (by Ellie)

I don't know about you, but whenever I ask people to suggest songs for a summer playlist, they always respond "The Beach Boys". Wonderful suggestion, yes, but also too obvious. So I've put together a list of eleven tracks that does NOT include "Good Vibrations", the Piña Colada Song, or "Orinoco Flow". I've tried to combine classic artists with newer ones, and well-known songs with some that you may not have heard yet. Whether you're spending your summer working frantically or kicking back and relaxing by the pool, these tracks are sure to hit the spot.

1. School of Seven Bells – Half Asleep [This song reminds me of the dreamy splendor of summer mornings, watching the sun rise over the treetops and listening to the birds singing . . . or maybe just hitting the snooze button and going back to sleep.]
   
2. Bishop Allen – Cue the Elephants [The first line is: "The morning belonged to the grapefruit". 'Nuff said.]
   
3. Traveling Wilburys – Margarita [Ahh, the '80s supergroup that was the Traveling Wilburys. George Harrison, Jeff Lynne, Roy Orbison, Tom Petty, and Bob Dylan lend their considerable talent to this fun track. I have no idea what the heck they're singing about, but it sure sounds cool.]
   
4. Goldfish – Fort Knox [Combining funk with electronica, this song by the up-and-coming South African duo is best listened to blaring from the stereo with the bass cranked up.]
   
5. Fleet Foxes – Ragged Wood [Great tune for lying out on a picnic blanket and soaking up the sun.]
   
6. Tracy Chapman – Fast Car [This song almost begs to be listened to when you're out driving at night. Just roll down the windows and let the balmy summer breeze and Chapman's soulful voice flow over you.]
   
7. Mungo Jerry – In the Summertime [For me, this track is a quintessential summer song, and not just 'cause of the title either. The beat of this song is reminiscent of an ol'-time Southern washboard band, and makes me think of sipping sweet tea in the cool shade.]
   
8. The Crookes – Backstreet Lovers [Very few artists could make a song about switch-blades, Skinheads, and concrete jungles sound so happy and innocent, yet The Crookes pull it off with infectious charm.]
   
9. The Decemberists – July, July! [Although Colin Meloy can't resist sticking in a few references to macabre things like blood and guts, this song still ends up sounding cheerful and bright.]
   
10. Panic(!) at the Disco – When the Day Met the Night [Starting off with a shimmering of sitar-like guitar noise, this song from the new Panic at the Disco album Pretty. Odd. crescendos into a Beatles-esque pop song about love "in the middle of the summer".]
    
11. The Cat Empire – Hello [With Latin and ska influences and jazzy trumpets, this track is perfect for dancing.]

Summer Mix Must-Haves (by Eryn)

These songs just reek of summer to me, I can't listen to them and NOT think about warm air and sun on my skin. I tried to mix together some upbeat songs worthy of dancing to, to chilling by the bonfire music. Honestly, I cannot imagine a summer mix that does not contain at least one of these songs.

1. Camera Obscura- French Navy [Such a fun and playful song, it has a bit of that vintage flavor you can expect from Camera Obscura. Doesn't it just make you want to put on a skirt and huge brightly colored sunglasses and ride your bike? Or is it just me…]

2. Sigur Ros- Gobbledigook [Whenever I listen to Sigur Ros, it's almost a religious experience. It makes me want to run barefoot through a forest, do cartwheels, or watch the sun rise. Even though you can't tell what they're saying, the beat of the drums in the background is almost language unto itself.]

3. Broken Social Scene- Anthems for a Seventeen-Year-Old Girl [The slow crescendo of this song is strangely mimetic of how summer is, it usually starts slow, then grows into something truly amazing. There just are no words to describe how the blend of sounds in this song, the banjo music, violin chords, and layered singing work together.]

4. MGMT- Kids [I have a slight obsession with this song, I just can't get the electronic vibe out of my head! This is awesome driving music, I can attest to that, it makes you want to dance in your seat and tap the wheel.]

5. Animal Collective- Fireworks [A few friends of mine saw this song live and claimed it changed their lives. I think you could have a similar experience simply driving along with the windows down and this blasting on your stereo.]

6. Bon Iver- Skinny Love [Bon Iver holds a special place in my heart because he wrote his music while in Wisconsin. His music is beautiful, and this acoustic song is perfect for a cool slow evening around a bonfire. I dunno, I guess I'm just a sucker for a man with a banjo.]

7. Dirty Projectors/David Byrne-Knotty Pine [This track off of Dark Was the Night makes me smile. Perfect dancing music, it has such an upbeat sound to it, it is perfect.]

8. Death Cab for Cutie-No Sunlight [I have been a fan of Death Cab ever since I saw them at Summerfest when I was 15, and their new album just makes me love them more. This song may have kind of depressing lyrics, but the music is just so pretty.]

9. She and Him- You Really Got a Hold on Me [Oh summer lovin'… This song by Zooey Deschanel and M. Ward breaks your heart while capturing at the same time. It is so simplistic, and the combination of their voices is just lovely.]

10. My Brightest Diamond- Be My Husband [Shara has a beautiful voice, on the verge of bluesy. Just watch this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ZZzta8YsLo&feature=related and be prepared to surf youtube all day perusing all the wonderous music found there.]

11. Rocky Votolato- White Daisy Passing [I have fallen in love with this musician, he's like a mix of the Shins, Bon Iver, and has the most beautiful lyrics I've ever heard. This would be the perfect music to watch clouds to. Back to the grass, looking up at a blue sky with fluffy white clouds. Mmmm excellence.]

As an added bonus, here's a link to my friend's band homepage. He is an amazing pianist and songwriter. Check them out! http://www.imnotapilot.com/