Ela - Elis Regina

Advantages: an unusual yet interesting and easy listening experience.
Disadvantages: Unusual style, not liked by all.

...This cd has to be one of the most interesting purchases for me this year. The lyrics are orginal and Regina's voice is incredibly enticing and spellbinding. All songs have the ingredients needed for a hit, clever metaphors, catchy tunes, thought provoking lyrics and incredible individuality. There are also a great number of songs that will quite literally be stuck in your head for days, possibly even weeks!!! Will be enjoyed thoroughly by people who also like Fiona Apple, Natalie Merchant, etc. Although not exactly the same in genre and sound as the two mentioned singers Regina has equal if not superior uniqueness. I would highly recommend this buy, it is great value for money and a life time music investment!... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful

Advantages: Fantastic album, highly entertaining!!
Disadvantages: None!!!

...I personally came to this album after hearing the most recent by Regina, 'Begin to Hope'. Already completely obsessed with Regina I had to search out new material! Regina Spektor 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 'Begin to Hope' , 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... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: A wide range of unique songs.
Disadvantages: Some songs are not so favourable to me, but they may be to you!

...Russian born, new york raised singer songwriter Regina Spektor never fails to bring a unique and interesting level to the music industry. The release Mary Ann and the Gravediggers, is by far her most inventive and most "out there" album, in my opinion. Track listing is as follows: Disc: 1 1. Oedipus 2. Love Affair 3. Poor Little Rich Boy 4. Sailor Song 5. Mary Ann 6. Prisoners 7. Consequence of Sound 8. Daniel Cowman 9. Lacrimosa 10. Pavlov’s Daughter 11. Chemo Limo 12. Us Disc: 2 1. Survival Guide to Soviet Kitsch 2. Us (Video) Most importantly, Regina's songs make the listener think, they are so widely varied, drawing on influences from greek mythology, with Oedipus, the myth of a boy who inadvertenly kills his father and sleeps with his mother, albeit unbeknown to him at the time. Pavlov's daughter... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful