Regina Spektor creates a musical painting, a colorful stroke
sensative psycho | Parker, CO | 11/02/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Regina Spektor has a gift that very few artists have. Listen to "Soviet Kitsch" and you will see vivid and colorful pictures, painted by her lyrics. And those lyrics have an unusual, original, and refreshing delivery. Her words coupled with her piano hold a lot of depth and gravity, which is interesting because what she sings can be somewhat simple at times. Whether it is accidental or intentional, it is very clever nonetheless.
The music alone is quite a melodic accomplishment. The chords are mostly complex, conveying interesting and difficult feelings from Regina while bringing forth untapped emotions from the listener(but you need to have an open mind, open ears, and a heart).
The songs of "Soviet Kitsch" carry along smoothly providing a very complete and satisfying experience. 'Ode to Divorce' is a piano-based ballad accented by cello. 'Carbon Monoxide' is an ode to cigarettes and the little things of love. 'Us' is fast paced with quick piano and cello throughout the song that just builds and builds. 'Your Honor' is the rocker of the album, with fast guitar and drums providing a punk rawness, and with Regina's vocals the song becomes a beautiful mess. The last three tracks act as a piano suite about humanity. 'The Ghost of Corporate Future' touches on society, 'Chemo Limo' with cancer and the resulting mentality, and 'Somedays' deals with being in a bad mood(with sad perspective).
In the end, it is a definite masterpiece, a showcase for the potential of the anti-folk scene and the power of music in general!
5 Stars!
"
A bit raw sounding
S. Ponce | Arlington Texas | 05/06/2010
(4 out of 5 stars)
"It's Regina's almost-bare-voice accompanied by her piano for the most part, although on songs like 'Us' she shows her true potential as a composer. She's a great story teller and I like this album although I think it's more for Regina Spektor fans."