... Her new album, Begin to Hope, has been flirting with the real world for a good few months now, and after the release of single "Fidelity" it looks like she may well hit the charts with her own brand of slightly nuts piano and voice combinations. On her first major album Soviet Kitsch she produced ... Read review
The style known as "anti-folk," as realized by practitioners like Ani DiFranco and Billy ... more
Bragg, is derived from a punk aesthetic, and thus tends to be spare and confrontational. But while Regina Spektor's music is anti-folk in the way it subverts the t...
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The style known as "anti-folk," as realized by practitioners like Ani DiFranco and Billy ... more
Bragg, is derived from a punk aesthetic, and thus tends to be spare and confrontational. But while Regina Spektor's music is anti-folk in the way it subverts the t...
Postage & Packaging: £1.21 Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
The style known as "anti-folk," as realized by practitioners like Ani DiFranco and Billy ... more
Bragg, is derived from a punk aesthetic, and thus tends to be spare and confrontational. But while Regina Spektor's music is anti-folk in the way it subverts the t...
Postage & Packaging: refer to website Availability: refer to website
The style known as "anti-folk," as realized by practitioners like Ani DiFranco and Billy ... more
Bragg, is derived from a punk aesthetic, and thus tends to be spare and confrontational. But while Regina Spektor's music is anti-folk in the way it subverts the t...
Postage & Packaging: Free! Availability: Usually dispatched within 24 hours...
The style known as "anti-folk," as realized by practitioners like Ani DiFranco and Billy ... more
Bragg, is derived from a punk aesthetic, and thus tends to be spare and confrontational. But while Regina Spektor's music is anti-folk in the way it subverts the t...
Postage & Packaging: £1.21 Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
The style known as "anti-folk," as realized by practitioners like Ani DiFranco and Billy ... more
Bragg, is derived from a punk aesthetic, and thus tends to be spare and confrontational. But while Regina Spektor's music is anti-folk in the way it subverts the t...
Postage & Packaging: Free! Availability: Usually dispatched within 24 hours...
The style known as "anti-folk," as realized by practitioners like Ani DiFranco and Billy ... more
Bragg, is derived from a punk aesthetic, and thus tends to be spare and confrontational. But while Regina Spektor's music is anti-folk in the way it subverts the traditional coffeehouse vibe, it's less interested in rebellion and more concerned with the joy of eccentricity, melody and surprise.Begin To Hopeis full of surprises, and like her promising major label debutSoviet Kitsch, it displays an easy facility with song structure that enables her to go in different--sometimes wildly off-the-wall--directions without sounding scattered. Classically trained on the piano, she's been compared to Tori Amos, but her music isn't as delicate or precious. Fiona Apple comes up as well, but just because neither fits in the usual female singer/songwriter cookie cutter mold doesn't mean they sound the same. Her voice is actually the primary attraction, cracking and loopy on would-be lullabies like "On The Radio" and "Field Below," then punchy and cute on "Hotel Room." But the music, if understated in the mix next to her vocals, makes an impression as well, breaking in with twisty piano arpeggios ("20 Years of Snow") and occasional touches of electronica. It's a consistently intelligent and daring record, yet remains enormously listenable--a neat trick for anti-folk, or any other genre of music for that matter.Matthew Cooke
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Advantages: Wonderfuly expressive, offbeat, unique, exciting and enjoyable Disadvantages: The more conventional songs don't hold up as well as the others
...Russian-American pianist-singer-songwriter-kook. Her new album, Begin to Hope, has been flirting with the real world for a good few months now, and after the release of single "Fidelity" it looks like she may well hit the charts with her own brand of slightly nuts piano and voice combinations. On her first major album Soviet Kitsch she produced a mix of witty and smart pop songs with post-punk influences and references to Hemingway and ... ...world.
Begin To Hope is a superb record, crammed with charm and bursting with moments of sheer joy, while mixing in a few heart-breaking songs like "Better" and odd pop confectionary like "Hotel Song". Has Regina sold out? Well, a little, but in a good way. It's like living inside a musical snowglobe, and ever so often she picks you up, shakes you, and puts you down again in a whole new perspective. This album ... more
So, Regina Spektor, the Russian-American pianist-singer-songwriter-kook. Her new album, Begin to Hope, has been flirting with the real world for a good few months now, and after the release of single "Fidelity" it looks like she may well hit the charts with her own brand of slightly nuts piano and voice combinations. On her first major album Soviet Kitsch she produced a mix of witty and smart pop songs with post-punk influences and references to Hemingway and F. Scott Fitzgerald, and in doing so created for herself a cult following of dedicated fans, who worship at "Reginapolis".
The second album sees her with an orchestra to back her up, and an increased budget. Accordingly, the songs are much more commercial and less… weird that they were before. The strange vocalisations are still there, and she's prone to the odd bout of beatboxing from time to time (which should make certain ciao members sit up in their office chairs and pay attention). The instruments are diverse, from mandolins to rainshakers, and the writing remains self-consciously clever. She does rely more on a traditional format for her songs thus time round, though, with structured verses and choruses, and some people claim that now Regina has sold out. Has she?
The 21st best album of 2006 begins with the glottalstop-tastic Fidelity, and encompasses all kinds of music throughout, until ending peacefully with the piano-ballad-closer "Summer in the City". In the middle strike three or four songs that could hit the top ten… if only the music industry was good nowadays… and there are one or two slow moving bore-fests. She's an eccentric, yelping and proclaiming a love of tangerines to all who will listen. In fact, her music probably works best when she is being strange and confusing, such as on "That Time", the most rousing song on the album, as a guitar belts out a strong riff while she recalls memories such as "the time my favourite colours was pink and green". More conventional is "Samson", a ballad with just Regina, her piano, and a small string orchestra, providing a hair-tingle moment as she sings to a former lover, and the time she almost cut his hair.
However the highlights of the album are easily the songs "On The Radio" and "Hotel Song", two wandering songs punctuated by drum machines and piano, while Regina sings through the entire range of notes. On The Radio has the best, most comprehensible lyrics, of the whole album, although it is closely matched by "Apres-Moi", a Regina Epic sung from the viewpoint of a statue she sang about on her previous album, which switches into Russian and has trembling, army-marching-band tendencies in the playing. During the song she breaks words in half with gulping noises, "be afraid of the lame, they'll inherit your legs: be afraid of the old, they'll inherit your soul". She does tend to make no sense at all, sometimes, but she pulls it off magnificently.
Hotel Song backs her up with a drum machine and synths, while she sings in her most honey voice about "orca whales and owls", in what is probably the highlight of the album. If you need a song to convince you, get this one. The strangeness of songs like "20 Years of Snow", which turns from magical snowy chimes to a piano waltz with wounded vocals does sometimes work against her, as the more conventional songs sound bland in comparison. In particular "Lady" and "Field Below" suffer from less interesting composition and delivery.
The references go far. From quoting The Beatles' song "Doctor Robert" to Guns N Roses by way of Louis XV (après moi le deluge - meaning after me, the flood) and, I may be wrong here, but 'Only Fools and Horses', Regina carries all before her in a wave of anti-folk, Russian kookiness. Her voice moves from all ranges, and she manages to yelp and squeal and scream and sound fragile and innocent and sound world-weary at will. If she wants to she will make your hair stand on end, but mostly she's happy to pick you up and move you to her own little offbeat, magical world.
Begin To Hope is a superb record, crammed with charm and bursting with moments of sheer joy, while mixing in a few heart-breaking songs like "Better" and odd pop confectionary like "Hotel Song". Has Regina sold out? Well, a little, but in a good way. It's like living inside a musical snowglobe, and ever so often she picks you up, shakes you, and puts you down again in a whole new perspective. This album will make life seem magical and excitingly new again. A wonderful thing to listen to.
Advantages: Quirky, charming, emotive vocals, great songwriting Disadvantages: None
...songwriters, the wackier the better. Begin to Hope is her third studio album and second major label release and should have been the album that catapulted her to worldwide fame. Although I'd be pushed to say it quite achieved that (after all, how many of you are reading this thinking "oh yes, Regina Spektor, I know her well") it did give her a more widespread following, with airplay on Radio Two and even a slot on Jonathan Ross's chatshow. Regina ... ...York, and this cultural mix is reflected clearly in the eclectic mix of styles she employs. She has a strong background in classical piano which is a massive strength in her compositional arsenal but on this album we have the addition of an orchestra, indicating that Warner clearly gave her more of a budget this time around. However, along with the budget seems to have come a more commercial sound - the songs, while still engaging and beautiful, ...
bubblegum_princess 22.06.2009
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Begin To Hope - Regina Spektor
Advantages: A wonderful collection of songs and sounds that are so individual and so beautiful. Disadvantages: None that I can think of - only that I didn't know about her sooner!
Regina Spektor
Begin to Hope
I was 33 this year, and the day arrived with a haze of sun and not a hint of cloud. Himself, who finds it virtually impossible to keep a secret (actually, make that totally impossible…) had already, over the space of the previous week, given me all my birthday surprises and this wonderful album was amongst them (along with, amongst other things, a pair of loved-up stone frogs for ornamental interest in my garden…)
... ...played on Radio 2, and had really only heard part of it, as Himself had called me up from his work to say “put radio 2 on NOW!!!” as he often does, and I caught the end of it. Samson. It made me cry like a baby. Now I suppose I could be blaming that on the pregnancy hormones, as I managed to bawl my eyes out at Doctor Who the other night too, and although David Tennant is yummy, he’s surely not in the same emotional category as this beautiful song! ...
phoenixgreen 10.06.2007
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Begin To Hope - Regina Spektor
Advantages: Perfect for chilling out at the end of the day. Disadvantages: A couple of songs let the album down a bit.
I absolutely love this album it is fantastic. I stumbled across her music on MySpace and fell in love instantly. Spektor's voice is so pure and creamy I could listen to it all day. My favourite tracks are 'Fidelity', which has a great beat and lyrics, and the beautiful 'Samson'- such a sad song it makes me want to cry. The album is very easy-listening and her soft, clear voice is perfect for winding down at the end of a long day. The combination ... ...make her music all the more interesting and fascinating. Although there are a couple of fairly forgettable songs this album is definitely worth buying. Check out her video for Fidelity as well...it is great. Her sound is modern and different but something about her style (musically and in appearance) makes me think that she has a timeless quality and will be around for a long time. A FEW COMMENTS ON EACH OF THE TRACKS:
1. Fidelity- Brilliant, gorgeous ...
torie1234 03.01.2007 (19.01.2007)
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Begin To Hope - Regina Spektor
Advantages: Each song on the C.D is different with thought-provoking lyrics and memorable songs. Disadvantages: One song repetitive and boring - "that time"
Since listening to Radio 2, I have noticed that Terry Wogan has a talent in finding gifted female artists such as Katie Melua and Eva Cassidy. After hiring Samson, (Regina Spektor’s first single release,) I immediately had to go and by the album- “Begin To Hope.”
The album is simply beautiful. I was overwhelmed with her voice and pure effortless perfection. The lyrics are fascinating. Being originally from Moscow, the slight accent makes her voice ... ...“Fidelity”, “Better”, “Samson” and “On The Radio,” are the best on the album. Samson is outstanding and mesmerizing. I also loved “Summer In The City,” with witty, funny lyrics: “And the castrated ones stand in the corner smoking, they want to feel, the bulges in their pants start to rise, at the site of a beautiful woman they feel nothing but, anger, her skin makes them sick in the night nauseaous, nauseaous, nauseaous.” Which made me laugh. However ...
natty91 15.07.2007
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Begin To Hope - Regina Spektor
Advantages: Excellent to chill out to, relaxing Disadvantages: Strange style that some may not like
Having seen an advert on the tv recommending this album I decided to investigate because it sounded very unique. After downloading it my partner and myself instantly fell in love! Although her voice is a little different from the mainstream music at the moment it's very compelling to listen to and the album certainly grows on you. I would probably liken her to Imogen Heap with her style, although is not quite as quirky as her. The album's very pretty ... ...It's the kind of music that you just lie and chill out with or accompany you whilst partaking in work and the lyrics are original and thought provoking. I would deffinitely recommend! This is Regina Spektor's most recent album, only a few weeks old and can be found in all good retailers, though I personally downloaded it from itunes. I believe that, if it's not already, it will make it to the top 10 in the album charts. Her latest single 'Fidelitiy' ...
nutter_but_nice 25.03.2007
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: somewhat helpful Review of Begin To Hope - Regina Spektor
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Advantages: Fantastic album, highly entertaining!! Disadvantages: None!!!
I personally came to this album after hearing the most recent by Regina, 'BegintoHope'. Already completely obsessed with Regina I had to search out new material! ReginaSpektor is an amazing talent, mixing jazz sounds, classical piano, kooky lyrics and much more! Its hard to pin this lady down as every song sounds different. The only thing linking all her songs is the ability she has to suck a listener into her many stories.
I found 'Soviet Kitsch' just a satisfying if not more so than 'BegintoHope' , a slightly rawer sound which feels a lot more experimental, it is a really exciting album with a lot of variation and a lot to offer. Songs like 'Ode to Divorce' are moving and slow and gentle, where as 'Poor little rich boy' includes percussion involving a drumstick being banged on a chair. Overall the album is a triumph one of those ...
Advantages: Quirky lyrics; whirlwind tour of musical styles Disadvantages: Very eclectic - may not appeal to all
toReginaSpektor, I would recommend her third album, BegintoHope, over this, as it is a little more mainstream and less, well to be frank, weird! The production on this is far less polished and more raw, but this seems to suit her style very well. Like the best musicians, she's not an artist you are likely to appreciate fully on first listen, but the songs quickly grow on you and offer something new with each listen. ...
Product Information for "Begin To Hope - Regina Spektor" »
Product details
Title
Begin To Hope
Performer
Regina Spektor
Genre
Rock & Pop
Sub Genre
Alternative
Release Date
10/07/2006
Recomended Retail Price
12.99 GBP
Original Release Year
2006
Label / Distributor
Sire / Cinram Logistics
Engineer
David Kahne; Craig Bishop
Producer
David Kahne; Regina Spektor
Pieces in Set
1
Studio / Live
Studio
Stereo
Stereo
Format
Performer
EAN
93624411222
Catalogue Number
9362441122
Additional notes
Album Notes
Personnel: Regina Spektor; Nick Valensi. Recording information: 2006. BEGIN TO HOPE finds anti-folk chanteuse Regina Spektor taking a small step away from piano balladry into the brave new world of the pop song. And what pop songs they are. Spektor's voice takes the foreground over sparse arrangements of guitars, strings, some electronic beats, and yes, piano. Her singing, if you can believe it, is even better than it was on SOVIET KITSCH: intimate, playful, and full of jazzy phrasings. She slips effortlessly into falsetto and scat in a manner reminiscent of Joni Mitchell. "Hotel Song" finds Spektor singing whispery and smooth over humming organs and a muted snare drum. In "On The Radio," she sings about hearing G'N'R's "November Rain" while plucked strings and synth arpeggios go noodling on behind her. This is an album full of surprises, not the least of which is how lovely the effect is overall.
Album Reviews
Rolling Stone (p.68) - 3.5 stars out of 5 -- "Spektor shows off her gorgeous, fluttery voice, her burgeoning writer chops and her God-given quirks..." Spin (p.88) - 4 star out of 5 -- "Funnier than Fiona Apple and sexier than Nellie McKay, she gets freakier with her classical training than Alicia Keys." Q (p.116) - 3 stars out of 5 -- "[T]he 25-year-old remains comically kooky..." Alternative Press (p.224) - 4 out of 5 -- "BEGIN TO HOPE finds Spektor still enjoying the ride, this time with better production, and flittering along with stream-of-consciousness tunes..."
Titles on disc 1
1.
Fidelity
2.
Better
3.
Samson
4.
On The Radio
5.
Field Below
6.
Hotel Song
7.
Apres Moi
8.
20 Years Of Snow
9.
That Time
10.
Edit
11.
Lady
12.
Summer In The City
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Listed on Ciao since
27/11/2006
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