Soviet Kitsch (U.S. Version)

Regina Spektor | Format: MP3 Music

Product Details

• Original Release Date: August 17, 2004
• Release Date: August 17, 2004
• Label: Sire/Warner Bros.
• Copyright: 2004 Regina Spektor, under exclusive license to Warner Bros. Records Inc. for the U.S. and WEA International Inc. for the world outside the U.S. excluding the United Kingdom.
• Record Company Required Metadata: Music file metadata contains unique purchase identifier. Learn more.
• Total Length: 38:45
• Genres:
  • Pop
• ASIN: B00122N0P2
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (116 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,794 Paid in MP3 Albums (See Top 100 Paid in MP3 Albums)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

45 of 46 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Stunning, fresh, original...and GOOD. April 13, 2005

By Wayne Rossi

Format:Audio CD

The first time I heard Regina Spektor on The Next Big Thing, I was in love with this young, weird singer-songwriter. I downloaded Soviet Kitsch legitimately, then went on to buy the album with DVD and saw Regina play in Philadelphia.

The album is wonderful, and it coheres beautifully. Much of it is content with just Regina playing the piano; the spare sound brings out her beautiful voice and great playing style, and the completely out-there nature of her lyrics. Regina manages to say some very odd things about life and people without coming off as precious or pretentious, which is one of her best achievements.

Probably the most fun song on Soviet Kitsch is "Poor Little Rich Boy." It's the second cut; I often skip over "Ode to Divorce," which is also great, just to hear it. The song, you see, consists of Regina singing while playing the piano with one hand and a chair with the other. It's a fun, energetic number, as is "Your Honor," which has a backing band to it. Other songs are slower, usually ironic - like "Carbon Monoxide" or "Chemo Limo" - demonstrating Regina's candor about death. Her piano work is wonderful in songs like "The Flowers" and "Us," and no track doesn't feature her exquisite, unique voice. Though it lacks a particular theme, Soviet Kitsch works as a whole album, changing and developing themes beautifully.

The fact that Soviet Kitsch seems to be selling and Regina Spektor is getting a fan following gives me hope for music's future. This one belongs on top 5s for the year. Give it a listen; if you like it, you'll fall in love with it.

25 of 25 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Ingenuity in a hangbag... or maybe on a keyboard... May 28, 2005

By E. Tejada III

Format:Audio CD

I came across Soviet Kitsch in a rather interesting way... and I never looked back.

Regina Spektor is the music lover's best friend. People might shoot me for saying this, but Regina Spektor, in my opinion, can't apply to any one genre. Her lyrics and music flow and complement each other, not over powering the other, but holding each other's hand as they stroll down the field of music masterpieces.

But let me get to the point of this review, Soviet Kitsch. It is a very eclectic grouping of song choices that only foster Ms. Spektor's unique visions and musical inspirations. This album probably has everything or anything you might want. The heavyhearted mourner or emotional listener in you would enjoy the softer and intense "Somedays", "Ode to Divorce", "Flowers", or "Chemo Limo". The rocker in you would love(or not)"Your Honor". The rest of the tracks can continue to surprise you the first or the billionth time; as they are outside a grouping, as is all her music. Overall, Ms. Spektor's use of piano in new and interesting ways leaves the listener wanting more by the first listening.

The DVD adds to the wonder of Ms. Spektor and gives the listener an insight. It contains the music video for "Us" and a short film, "The Survival Guide to Soviet Kitsch"; a sampling of "The Flowers", "Carbon Monoxide", "Us", "Ghost of Corporate Future", and the full version of "Ode to Divorce" in a music video-esque fashion. To not give away too much, I'd suggest you watch "The Survival Guide to Soviet Kitsch" (and enjoy) it yourself.

Ms. Spektor, in my mind, cannot be compared to the piano singer/songwriters of the time... she simply just is... one of a kind.

I completely suggest this album/DVD for your collection, you won't regret it!!!!

55 of 61 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars An Original July 18, 2005

By WrtnWrd

Format:Audio CD

The comparisons to Tori Amos or Bjork or Kate Bush or Fiona Apple (or Laura Nyro or Joni Mitchell to go back a ways) are more points of reference to give us some bearing regarding Regina Spektor's eccentric and original Soviet Kitsch. Hey, she's a chick with a piano and a quirky sense of timing and a refreshing lyrical oddness. Aren't they all the same, then? Well, no. Spektor's take on the singer-songwriter trope certainly includes those forebears, but she's also steeped in punk history, wherein she quotes Patti Smith on "Poor Little Rich Boy", and isn't afraid of squawking dissonance. Which makes the unadulterated beauty all the sweeter -- especially on the manic "Us" and the expressive "Someday", either of which the above-mentioned women would love to have in their own canons.