Open Web Player
Quietly in the distance I thought I heard Robbie Williams' "Rock DJ" intro start on the radio. Then a woman started singing and the song didn't turn into a full on pop song. I suspected it might be Regina Spektor. I was right as it was "The Calculation" from her new album. I had heard a few of her songs in the past and I loathed her. Not merely disliked, but seriously hated her music. So I was very surprised that I liked her new single.
For reasons of perverse masochism I decided to buy her album. I was expecting to like two or three songs while hating the rest. I was more than a little surprised that I loved it. It's a monster of an album. By far and away the best new release I've heard so far in 2009. And her voice is not annoying.
1. "The Calculation" - 3:13 (4 out of 5 stars)
Good, joyful, funny, bouncy, up-beat pop song. It has no similarities to "Rock DJ" now that I've heard it properly.
2. "Eet" - 3:54 (4 stars)
Good up-tempo track. Of no great merit but nothing wrong with it.
3. "Blue Lips" - 3:34 (3 stars)
Starts as a slow song but picks up the pace for most of the second half. It's good.
4. "Folding Chair" - 3:35 (4 stars)
A real nice feel good song. She makes bizarre dolphin sounds but it's not anywhere near as daft or as kooky as it could be - it works as well as can be expected as it fits the song seamlessly.
5. "Machine" - 3:51 (3 stars)
Loud and fairly heavy. Feels like a minor track but very enjoyable with some interesting lyrics about our place in the past, present and future.
6. "Laughing With" - 3:18 (4 stars)
I got a tingle up my spine despite the silly lyrics. Her performance sells the words. I like the song maybe more than I should.
7. "Human of the Year" - 4:12 (2 stars)
This slower, more ponderous track does nothing for me.
8. "Two Birds" - 3:23 (4 stars)
Sounds like a children's song with bright up-beat music. Borderline brilliant.
9. "Dance Anthem of the 80's" - 3:44 (5 stars)
Brilliant song about boys and girls watching each other and wanting more. The highlight of the album.
10. "Genius Next Door" - 5:10 (3 stars)
Lyrics are a bit silly and the music is sadder and slower. I didn't care for it to begin with, but it gets better as it progresses. Nice echo on her voice at some points. Feels like a key album track. The story reminds me of the Disney cartoon version of Winnie The Poo.
11. "Wallet" - 2:30 (4 stars)
Kooky song about finding a wallet and looking through it to get an idea of who the owner is. Feels like a scene from a quirky indie film such as
Me And You And Everyone We Know
or
Eagle Vs. Shark
. Not a great song but very charming and sweet. I can easily imagine some people hating it.
12. "One More Time with Feeling" - 4:03 (3 stars)
Good song with interesting lyrics.
13. "Man of a Thousand Faces" - 3:12 (3 stars)
Okay song with a darker, heavier piano sound but slightly weaker than most of what's gone before. Has a bit of a non-ending which is a shame as it's the climax of the whole album.
The 47 minute album might be too perky for some but I really, seriously, unapologetically like it. And it's very rare for me to like eccentric kooky music. Her music exists in its own little world much like the two movies I mentioned earlier (and the more male-centric films of Wes Anderson). I guess you either love it or hate it.
The CD seems to have been better mastered than most new releases. I'm pretty certain I could hear proper dynamics between the loud and quiet sections which is rare with modern CDs. Oddly the booklet says "Lyrics Reprinted by Permission" but there are no lyrics in the booklet.
I like to make EP playlists out of albums on my iPod. Tracks 1, 4, 8 and 9 made the cut.
With the purchase of a CD or Vinyl record dispatched from and sold by Amazon, you get 90 days free access to the Amazon Music Unlimited Individual plan. After your purchase, you will receive an email with further information. Terms and Conditions apply. Learn more.
Customers who bought this item also bought
Page 1 of 1 Start overPage 1 of 1
Top reviews from United Kingdom
There was a problem filtering reviews right now. Please try again later.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 27 July 2009
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 2 August 2009
but worth buying just for the wonderful vocal dexterity displayed in the middle section of Human ...
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 11 November 2016