Regina Spektor, 'Far'

Release date: June 23, 2009
Record label: Sire
Official Web site: http://www.reginaspektor.com/

The buzz: A darling of New York’s anti-folk movement from a few years ago, Spektor has seemed poised to take her weird-pop piano tunes mainstream and major for a while now. But she’s always been just a little too indie and odd to really compete with the Sara Bareilles/Hotel Café/”Grey’s Anatomy” types—a fact most of her fans relish. “Far” marks the classically trained, Russian-born singer-songwriter’s fifth studio album.

The verdict: She’s certainly moving more toward the middle with her sound. Existing fans will find this album a bit disconcerting, but those new to Spektor should encounter an agreeable LP of almost–prime time piano-pop. Though she sings sweetly and retains touches of “quirk” (to use a term dreaded by Spektor fans), the songs suffer a bit: they’re not quite as catchy as they used to be. Whereas before Spektor came off as a little wild, a touch ragged, semi-unpredictable—now she seems more forced and uncharacteristically trying-to-be-proper. If the songs really delivered, this wouldn’t be a major problem, but in concert with a relative dearth of hooks, it leads to a dry listen. Old fans may seek solace in “Folding Chair,” prospective ones might check out “The Calculation,” and both camps should hear something agreeable in “Dance Anthem of the 80s.”

Did you know? Far from typical, Spektor’s first national tour slot was opening for friends and fellow New Yorkers the Strokes in 2003-2004.

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