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Regina Spektor's moment may have come. Kooky and quirky with songs brimming over with catchy melodies and lyrics that revel in magnificently opulent fantasies on life, love and, well, pretty much anything and everything else, studio album number five from the Moscow-born doyenne of New York's anti-folk scene promises to catapult her squarely into the spotlight.
Odder than Kate Bush, as dreamy as Stina Nordenstam and less scary than Tori Amos, Spektor has gone for some very subtle but secure underpinning in Far, enlisting no less than four producers - ex-ELO frontman Jeff Lynne and Fiona Apple mentor Mike Elizondo among them - to perfectly frame a baker's dozen of tracks that take idiosyncrasy to delicious new heights of oddball inventiveness.
Spektor's determinedly semi-detached fascination with the minutiae of things may irritate some listeners - there's something about the curious biography outlined in the overly jaunty Folding Chair, with its imitation of dolphins singing, that provokes a concerned step backwards - but for the most part it throws up miniature marvels.
The easy but effective metaphor of Two Birds, the extrapolation of an unknown life spun from the contents of a found Wallet, the litany of calamities in lead single Laughing With, and the pretty but quietly disturbing One More Time With Feeling all exert a tangled fascination that keeps you in hushed thrall to their operatic intensity.
Piano led, indie-accented, with surprising instrumental details and vocal tics aplenty, Far showcases a singer-songwriter of considerable (if occasionally unfocused to the point of unhinged) ability. But behind Spektor's cutesy cartoon outlines lie songs full of adult drama and detail that catch the imagination when you're least expecting them to. --Michael Quinn
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
11 of 11 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
It's been three years since Regina's last album, "Begin to Hope", was released, and her new album has finally arrived...
The album's lead single "Laughing With" was, I think, an excellent choice for first single. It's delicate, soft and very pretty. "Eet" also shows that same side of Miss Spektor.
"Machine" sounds like what I imagine Regina would have made if she had a top-notch producer at the time of recording her 2002 album "Songs". "Genius Next Door" and "Man of a thousand faces" are other songs that have a darker sound than the others.
"Blue Lips" is a bit different. It's a ballad with an epic, sweeping sound thanks to the very good production by Jeff Lynne (who has produced for artists such as The Beatles and Roy Orbison).
"Human of the Year" is a very nice track with a "church-gospelly" kind of sound that works nicely for Regina's voice and piano. Go to 2:17 in the track to hear how beautiful Regina's voice can really sound (it actually gave me goosebumps).
Fans of Regina's quirky, upbeat songs can't be dissappointed with this album. "The Calculation", "Folding Chair", and "Dance Anthem of the 80's" are possibly Regina's most catchy and fun songs to date. "The Calculation" is very radio friendly to be honest but Regina's piano and beautiful vocal styling and quirky lyrics just make it impossible not to like. "Folding Chair" is really fun and sweet; a very feel-good song that brings a smile to my face each time I hear it. "Dance Anthem of the 80's" starts out with familiar Regina territory, but the song develops and has a circusey, slightly eerie, sound with beatboxing to add more effect to it; a nice surprise...
Fans of Regina's early work might be worried that this album might be too overproduced and radio-friendly with the new producers; Jeff Lynne (The Beatles, Roy Orbison), Garret "Jacknife" Lee (R.E.M., U2, Snow Patrol, Bloc Party, The Hives, Weezer), Mike Elizondo (Dr. Dre, Eminem, Fiona Apple). Yes, the album has a lot of extra production but it compliments Regina's personality perfectly and really adds to the songs. Regina's piano and vocals are up in the forefront where they should be.
The special edition of the album comes with a DVD of four music videos and two extra tracks "Time is all around" and "The Sword & The Pen" so I'd suggest paying a few more pounds to get it instead of the standard edition.
Regina has definitely matured over the last three years. Her voice is clearer, prettier, and she really SINGS her heart out on this album. Overall, I'd say this is a beautiful, emotional album that should please Regina Spektor fans. I'd be surprised if it didn't.
I'm really hoping her label promote her well; she deserves more attention than she gets.
The album's lead single "Laughing With" was, I think, an excellent choice for first single. It's delicate, soft and very pretty. "Eet" also shows that same side of Miss Spektor.
"Machine" sounds like what I imagine Regina would have made if she had a top-notch producer at the time of recording her 2002 album "Songs". "Genius Next Door" and "Man of a thousand faces" are other songs that have a darker sound than the others.
"Blue Lips" is a bit different. It's a ballad with an epic, sweeping sound thanks to the very good production by Jeff Lynne (who has produced for artists such as The Beatles and Roy Orbison).
"Human of the Year" is a very nice track with a "church-gospelly" kind of sound that works nicely for Regina's voice and piano. Go to 2:17 in the track to hear how beautiful Regina's voice can really sound (it actually gave me goosebumps).
Fans of Regina's quirky, upbeat songs can't be dissappointed with this album. "The Calculation", "Folding Chair", and "Dance Anthem of the 80's" are possibly Regina's most catchy and fun songs to date. "The Calculation" is very radio friendly to be honest but Regina's piano and beautiful vocal styling and quirky lyrics just make it impossible not to like. "Folding Chair" is really fun and sweet; a very feel-good song that brings a smile to my face each time I hear it. "Dance Anthem of the 80's" starts out with familiar Regina territory, but the song develops and has a circusey, slightly eerie, sound with beatboxing to add more effect to it; a nice surprise...
Fans of Regina's early work might be worried that this album might be too overproduced and radio-friendly with the new producers; Jeff Lynne (The Beatles, Roy Orbison), Garret "Jacknife" Lee (R.E.M., U2, Snow Patrol, Bloc Party, The Hives, Weezer), Mike Elizondo (Dr. Dre, Eminem, Fiona Apple). Yes, the album has a lot of extra production but it compliments Regina's personality perfectly and really adds to the songs. Regina's piano and vocals are up in the forefront where they should be.
The special edition of the album comes with a DVD of four music videos and two extra tracks "Time is all around" and "The Sword & The Pen" so I'd suggest paying a few more pounds to get it instead of the standard edition.
Regina has definitely matured over the last three years. Her voice is clearer, prettier, and she really SINGS her heart out on this album. Overall, I'd say this is a beautiful, emotional album that should please Regina Spektor fans. I'd be surprised if it didn't.
I'm really hoping her label promote her well; she deserves more attention than she gets.
14 of 15 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
It's been three years since Regina's last album, "Begin to Hope", was released, and her new album has finally arrived...
The album's lead single "Laughing With" was, I think, an excellent choice for first single. It's delicate, soft and very pretty. "Eet" also shows that same side of Miss Spektor.
"Machine" sounds like what I imagine Regina would have made if she had a top-notch producer at the time of recording her 2002 album "Songs". "Genius Next Door" and "Man of a thousand faces" are other songs that have a darker sound than the others.
"Blue Lips" is a bit different. It's a ballad with an epic, sweeping sound thanks to the very good production by Jeff Lynne (who has produced for artists such as The Beatles and Roy Orbison).
"Human of the Year" is a very nice track with a "church-gospelly" kind of sound that works nicely for Regina's voice and piano. Go to 2:17 in the track to hear how beautiful Regina's voice can really sound (it actually gave me goosebumps).
Fans of Regina's quirky, upbeat songs can't be dissappointed with this album. "The Calculation", "Folding Chair", and "Dance Anthem of the 80's" are possibly Regina's most catchy and fun songs to date. "The Calculation" is very radio friendly to be honest but Regina's piano and beautiful vocal styling and quirky lyrics just make it impossible not to like. "Folding Chair" is really fun and sweet; a very feel-good song that brings a smile to my face each time I hear it. "Dance Anthem of the 80's" starts out with familiar Regina territory, but the song develops and has a circusey, slightly eerie, sound with beatboxing to add more effect to it; a nice surprise...
Fans of Regina's early work might be worried that this album might be too overproduced and radio-friendly with the new producers; Jeff Lynne (The Beatles, Roy Orbison), Garret "Jacknife" Lee (R.E.M., U2, Snow Patrol, Bloc Party, The Hives, Weezer), Mike Elizondo (Dr. Dre, Eminem, Fiona Apple). Yes, the album has a lot of extra production but it compliments Regina's personality perfectly and really adds to the songs. Regina's piano and vocals are up in the forefront where they should be.
The special edition of the album comes with a DVD of four music videos and two extra tracks "Time is all around" and "The Sword & The Pen" so I'd suggest paying a few more pounds to get it instead of the standard edition.
Regina has definitely matured over the last three years. Her voice is clearer, prettier, and she really SINGS her heart out on this album. Overall, I'd say this is a beautiful, emotional album that should please Regina Spektor fans. I'd be surprised if it didn't.
I'm really hoping her label promote her well; she deserves more attention than she gets.
The album's lead single "Laughing With" was, I think, an excellent choice for first single. It's delicate, soft and very pretty. "Eet" also shows that same side of Miss Spektor.
"Machine" sounds like what I imagine Regina would have made if she had a top-notch producer at the time of recording her 2002 album "Songs". "Genius Next Door" and "Man of a thousand faces" are other songs that have a darker sound than the others.
"Blue Lips" is a bit different. It's a ballad with an epic, sweeping sound thanks to the very good production by Jeff Lynne (who has produced for artists such as The Beatles and Roy Orbison).
"Human of the Year" is a very nice track with a "church-gospelly" kind of sound that works nicely for Regina's voice and piano. Go to 2:17 in the track to hear how beautiful Regina's voice can really sound (it actually gave me goosebumps).
Fans of Regina's quirky, upbeat songs can't be dissappointed with this album. "The Calculation", "Folding Chair", and "Dance Anthem of the 80's" are possibly Regina's most catchy and fun songs to date. "The Calculation" is very radio friendly to be honest but Regina's piano and beautiful vocal styling and quirky lyrics just make it impossible not to like. "Folding Chair" is really fun and sweet; a very feel-good song that brings a smile to my face each time I hear it. "Dance Anthem of the 80's" starts out with familiar Regina territory, but the song develops and has a circusey, slightly eerie, sound with beatboxing to add more effect to it; a nice surprise...
Fans of Regina's early work might be worried that this album might be too overproduced and radio-friendly with the new producers; Jeff Lynne (The Beatles, Roy Orbison), Garret "Jacknife" Lee (R.E.M., U2, Snow Patrol, Bloc Party, The Hives, Weezer), Mike Elizondo (Dr. Dre, Eminem, Fiona Apple). Yes, the album has a lot of extra production but it compliments Regina's personality perfectly and really adds to the songs. Regina's piano and vocals are up in the forefront where they should be.
The special edition of the album comes with a DVD of four music videos and two extra tracks "Time is all around" and "The Sword & The Pen" so I'd suggest paying a few more pounds to get it instead of the standard edition.
Regina has definitely matured over the last three years. Her voice is clearer, prettier, and she really SINGS her heart out on this album. Overall, I'd say this is a beautiful, emotional album that should please Regina Spektor fans. I'd be surprised if it didn't.
I'm really hoping her label promote her well; she deserves more attention than she gets.
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
I love this album. OK, I admit it, that isn't the most impartial way to start off a review, but it's the truth. I love everything about it, the interesting, witty lyrics, Regina's gorgeous vocals, the superb songwriting, the way some of the compositions have a powerful emotive message and yet still have the ability to make a smile involuntarily creep across your face. Such is the appeal of "Far", I have literally lost count of the amount of times I have played this album since I've bought it, so not only does this album have an immediate impact on the listener, it has real longevity.
There are so many brilliant songs on this collection, I could quite easily go through each track and would probably run out of superlatives, so I'll just stick to my absolute favourites. The bouncy opener, "The Calculation" is infectious and charming. "Eet" is both delicate and then magnificent, reminding me a little of Ben Folds, as does the excellent "Two Birds". The sinister, near-Orwelian, "Machine" is another stand-out, managing to be both chilling and yet undeniably beautiful. I'm reminded of Alanis Morissette at her most poignant best when I hear "Laughing With", a song wryly commenting about the perversion and misuse of religion whilst managing to stay cleverly neutral. "Dance Anthem Of The 80's" is almost annoyingly catchy but most certainly amusing. "Wallet" is a beautiful song, describing the brief insight into someone's life finding their wallet would give you. In fact, every single track on "Far" has something special to offer to the listener.
It's a testament to the album's four producers that you can't tell that the songs have different people behind the helm - it's a very cohesive album and they all simply seem to bring the best out of Ms. Spektor. Even the great but often-criticised Jeff Lynne, who isn't renowned for his production subtlety, tailors his sound and the instrumentation to enrich and enhance the performance rather than to leave any trademark stamp on it. In fact, even the keenest ears would have trouble picking out which producer was behind which track. That, I believe, is a huge compliment to all involved in this record. What's more, I've managed to get to the end of a review about a Regina Spektor album without using the word "quirky". Until now. Damn.
A wonderful, wonderful album.
There are so many brilliant songs on this collection, I could quite easily go through each track and would probably run out of superlatives, so I'll just stick to my absolute favourites. The bouncy opener, "The Calculation" is infectious and charming. "Eet" is both delicate and then magnificent, reminding me a little of Ben Folds, as does the excellent "Two Birds". The sinister, near-Orwelian, "Machine" is another stand-out, managing to be both chilling and yet undeniably beautiful. I'm reminded of Alanis Morissette at her most poignant best when I hear "Laughing With", a song wryly commenting about the perversion and misuse of religion whilst managing to stay cleverly neutral. "Dance Anthem Of The 80's" is almost annoyingly catchy but most certainly amusing. "Wallet" is a beautiful song, describing the brief insight into someone's life finding their wallet would give you. In fact, every single track on "Far" has something special to offer to the listener.
It's a testament to the album's four producers that you can't tell that the songs have different people behind the helm - it's a very cohesive album and they all simply seem to bring the best out of Ms. Spektor. Even the great but often-criticised Jeff Lynne, who isn't renowned for his production subtlety, tailors his sound and the instrumentation to enrich and enhance the performance rather than to leave any trademark stamp on it. In fact, even the keenest ears would have trouble picking out which producer was behind which track. That, I believe, is a huge compliment to all involved in this record. What's more, I've managed to get to the end of a review about a Regina Spektor album without using the word "quirky". Until now. Damn.
A wonderful, wonderful album.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
An enjoyable album
I enjoyed this album a lot - it has some excellent tracks. I think there aren't any tracks as striking as the tracks on the first half of 'Begin to Hope' but that overall it's a... Read more
Published 18 months ago by A. Campbell
Makes Bjork sound sensible
What are you lot thinking? 5 stars? At a stretch, there might be two songs on here. the rest of the album is like listening to somebody sitting at a piano and making up stuff as... Read more
Published 21 months ago by The Com
Excellent
I only became fully aware of Regina Spektor after hearing 'The Calculation' on the radio last year. I then bought the cd and was amazed at the quality & variety of the songs. Read more
Published 23 months ago by Jim Siedow
In our minds until forever
I have to hand it to Regina Spektor -- she actually has managed to refine and further her unique anti-folk/pop sound, but also keep the unique qualities of her older style. Read more
Published on 18 Mar 2010 by E. A Solinas
Possibly the best album by anyone, ever.
If you're familiar with "Samson", probably Regina's most famous song so far, well, this album contains 13 songs that are at least as good, and some of them are better. Read more
Published on 14 Jan 2010 by Richard Milne
Far (Deluxe) Regina Spektra - Brilliant
This is a fantastic album. I first heard Blue Lips on Jools Holland then sampled all the tracks on the alumb and then bought the down load. Read more
Published on 6 Jan 2010 by Renny Smith
Album Of The Year
This album is without a doubt "the best album of 2009". Every track is a pleasure to listen to. Absolutely brilliant. If you have'nt bought it yet, then why not ?
Published on 1 Jan 2010 by Mr. P. R. Herod
Playful, yet hauntingly beautiful.
Regina Spektor's new album "Far" does not disappoint. In fact it is a triumph. It is playful, yet hauntingly beautiful. I love it!
Published on 17 Nov 2009 by Z. N. Pretorius
Regina's best, so far...
Regina Spektor's third proper album is arguably her best so far. It is probably even more polished than Begin To Hope, something that usually turns me down, but as far as... Read more
Published on 11 Nov 2009 by Joao Nunes
A great new album
this is a great listen, I have it on in the car all of the time. If you like regina spector buy this album, If you have not listened to her before give her a try. xxx
Published on 16 Sep 2009 by Mr. Graham Smith
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