Regina Spektor - Begin to Hope
Featuring another ambitious round of tracks following her previous album debuts, Begin to Hope holds an exceptional line-up of love songs that show another side of the ever-surprising anti-folk artist. In such a heartwarming fashion, Regina Spektor continues to flatter her music with elegant piano lines and colorful vocals. It is her first album recorded under a major-label contract, and that only seems to amplify her one-of-a-kind mellow sounds. She is known for her diverse choice of sound, but does not cease to amaze with this highly personal album. Her remarkable vocal range paired with the many quirks strewn throughout her songs does nothing but highlight her eccentric yet meaningful lyrics. She has you hooked on listening to her lingering melodies that weave enchanted and intense narratives.
Each of her songs holds a story within itself, from the loopy lyrics of Better – (If I kiss you where it's sore/Will you feel better, better, better/Will you feel anything at all) – to the upbeat chorus of On the Radio – (This is how it works/You're young until you're not/You love until you don't/You try until you can't/You laugh until you cry/You cry until you laugh/And everyone must breathe/Until their dying breath). The emotion and heart-stirring sounds put into this CD offsets her previous debut of Soviet Kitsch, which was more of a politically influenced album. It shows off her incredible talent of making a song her own; be it with her experimental humming lines inserted between choruses or just the catchy flirtation between her voice and the piano throughout many of the songs.
In any case, this album is one you can't ignore. Each song will leave you with a sense of joy and fulfillment and still wanting more to add to the pleasure.
Recommendations:
"Fidelity" - The first song on the CD, Fidelity is the perfect opening to a soulful album. It has amazing lyrics that, although repetitive, hit the spot; and her soothing voice keeps you listening for more. The fast pace keeps the song moving without breaking its effect. It talks of a broken heart and touches you in ways that didn't seem possible.
"Fields Below" - The amazing duet of Regina Spektor and her piano set the mood perfectly, and the emotional melody flows through it like a trance. Field Below remains my favorite song of the album, for the single reason of being able to make me feel something different every time I hear it. This song is certainly worth a listen.
"20 Years of Snow" - Another remarkable song, 20 Years of Snow introduces itself with the resonance of a few new sounds and continues with a show of Regina Spektor's seductive skills with a piano. Filtering through quick arpeggios and twisting chords, this song is beautiful to listen to. Add in the lyrics, and there's so much to hear you'll be playing it over and over just to make sure you didn't miss anything.
