Begin To Hope - Regina Spektor

...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, ...
...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 ...

Seresecros 10.02.2007 · Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful
Review of Begin To Hope - Regina Spektor

...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 · Read full review
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Review of Begin To Hope - Regina Spektor

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 · Read full review
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Review of Begin To Hope - Regina Spektor

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) · Read full review
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Review of Begin To Hope - Regina Spektor

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 · Read full review
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Review of Begin To Hope - Regina Spektor

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 · Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: somewhat helpful
Review of Begin To Hope - Regina Spektor

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, (mainly fidelity!) that will quite literally be stuck in your head for days, possibly even weeks!!! Will be enjoyed thoroughly ...
...Although not exactly the same in genre and sound as the two mentioned singers Regina has equal if not more superior uniqueness. I would highly recommend this buy, it is great value for money and a life time music investment! There really will be a song for everyone on this album! My ratings of songs included on the album: Fidelity 5/5 Better 3/5 Samson 4/5 On the radio 5/5 Field Below 3/5 Hotel Song 5/5 Apres Moi 4/5 Twenty years of snow ...

rachieb123 27.11.2006 (16.12.2008) · Read full review
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Review of Begin To Hope - Regina Spektor