NEWS
EVENTS
Regina Spektor- ‘What We Saw From The Cheap Seats’ (28/05/2012- Sire Records)
Indie | Tuesday 29th May 2012 | Osh
New York born Regina Spektor, has just released her sixth studio album What We Saw from the Cheap Seats, which is released today.
At just 32, the singer-songwriter has made a name for herself as an individual folk singer, with an organic sound and unique talent. What We Saw from the Cheap Seats was recorded in LA last summer and despite never achieving mainstream success, Regina has maintained and developed her quirky, natural sound.
The gentle, simplistic piano that starts the record shows Regina Spektor’s remarkable talent and experimental style, along with the interruption of harsh drumming. ‘Oh Marcello’ brings Regina’s Russian heritage to life, as well as her great vocal range.
The ‘Fidelity’ singer’s second single from this record was ‘Don’t Leave Me (Ne me quitte pas)’ which is a revamped version from her 2002 album Songs. With its chirpy melody and repetitive lyrics, the track is as likeable as a free holiday, and proves that sometimes, the best songs are the most cheerful. Reworking an only song has given Regina Spektor the chance to show her fans how much she’s grown as an artist in a decade and uphold her talent.
What We Saw from the Cheap Seats is Regina’s fourth major label record, but she has preserved her distinctive flair throughout the years, as well as her charming and diverse songwriting skills. ‘Firewood’ is soothing and stunning, and illustrates her undeniable skills as a vocalist.
If you’re looking for the perfect album to unwind to, you might have just found it, and ‘How’ is a fantastic example of this. With modest lyrics like ‘How can I forget your love’, this song jumps into the hearts of anyone who’s gone through a difficult time in a relationship, which let’s face it, applies to everyone!
The first single released from the record was ‘All the Rowboats’, which was released for online streaming on the 27th of February and for digital download the day after. This track is dramatic, intense and emotional, but still full of groove, and the arrangement is amazing.
Regina Spektor studied classical piano in New York before her career kicked-off, which is why she’s so confident and bold behind the keys. But her influences from countless genres of music shine through with her daring variations of music. Think of a better, less mainstream Florence and the Machine, throw in raw emotions and adventurous songwriting and you’ve got Regina Spektor.
The number of emotions Regina explores in her music is remarkable, and her ability to hit the nail on the head when it comes to thoughts and feelings is fantastic to listen to. She pin-points her relationship-happy mood in ‘The Party’ with lyrics like ‘You look like New Year.’
If you’re looking for an upbeat Indie album, What We Saw from the Cheap Seats just isn’t it. But it is a relaxing, elegant and beautifully composed collection of tracks, reflecting an artist’s progress and huge musical abilities.
4/5
Download the album from Itunes, all good retailers right now! or visit http://reginaspektor.com
Marianne Calnan
