Regina Spektor: Home, front and back ★★★★★
Regina Spektor’s eighth album is a strong gangster, as a Russian-American singer-songwriter describes his encounter with God on the streets of New York and reminds him of this mysterious visit in cheerful and mediocre language. It starts with a bit. I didn’t even have to pay / “Because God is God and he is respected.” Naturally, she asks the question: “Why doesn’t it get better over time?” She wants to know and evokes the turmoil and challenges of life with particularly clever poetry: “I just want to ride / but This whole world / it makes me sick of the car / stop the meter Would you like to use it?
This bold fantasy and philosophical prosperity is summarized in an almost disposable adorable melody. Specter’s delicate piano performances and nimble conversational songs are supported by brilliant orchestration. .. Zoom in and out. It’s a very impressive start to a strange, eccentric yet pointed, powerful, sensual and entertaining collection that displays very high-level songcraft and performances.
Spektor’s enthusiastic fan base doesn’t expect much more, but it still feels like the mainstream is catching up with its extraordinary talent. Respected by knowledgeable people (Peter Gabriel, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Obama, etc.) and heavily endorsed by the television soundtrack (she appeared on programs such as Grey’s Anatomy, Sex Education, Good Wife, etc.) Appeared and provided the orange theme song is New Black), Specter has the status of one of the definitive artists of the Millennial generation, but the 42-year-old won as vulgar as a hit single. there is no. She may be too strange about the status of her family’s name, but she has the talent to play long games and sometimes it takes time for the world to catch up. Ask Kate Bush, one of her great musical heroes.
Home, Before and After were provided by Spektor for the first time in six years, behind the loss of a parent (with two young children) and a loss of parent (her highly supportive father died this year). It is informed by both of them. The mystery of the universe of time is explored in a stunning 9-minute centerpiece, a fairy tale of space-time. This unfolds Stephen Sondheim to organize a psychedelic odyssey, including the prosperity of delicious ragtime piano and tap dancing. This discomfort is the key to Specter’s appeal. These are songs that no one else can imagine composing, but they sound like perfectly rounded pieces (under John Congleton’s empathetic production).
Specter shows a subtle portrait of a woman dressed as an ear candy, as if demonstrating with a bass-producing Sugar Man, so you can make pop songs as needed. It finds almost the exact opposite in One Man’s Prayer. This is a loving ballad that gradually emerges as a dark “Insel” national anthem, revealing the poisoned logic of misogyny. There are many opponents in the world of Specter, revealed in a parade of contrasting pairs, including the nursery rhyme show tune “Bombing and shelter go together.”
Born in Russia, raised in the United States, and with grandparents in Ukraine, Specter talked about her anguish in the current conflict that began after the album was recorded. She has no songs of war and peace, but still pulsing is an uplifting love and pure joy for her life in the expression of music in the face of adversity. The closing track home provides a lullaby that you can rest assured in difficult times. “May pass by tomorrow / like shadows and storms / there is light if there is no darkness / there is morning if there is no night.” At home, before and after, Specter certainly said she has been for many years. Prove that you are a songwriter. Neil MacCormick