Posts Tagged ‘monday music muse’
23
Jun
2009
New Music Spotlight: Regina Spektor “Far”
What Seinfeld has to do with the best new album by the best old favorite.
We’ve been enamored with semi-indie darling Regina Spektor for years. (Seeing her live at TED 2009 didn’t hurt, either.) And part of her fascination lies in the ability to reinvent herself beautifully, without losing the core of her brilliance — charmed vocals, superb piano and incredible lyrical sensibility. That’s exactly what’s happening in her new album, Far, out today.
The entire album is an absolute gem, but our favorite track has to be The Calculation — delightfully upbeat and somehow Seinfeld-like in its ability to be about nothing particularly grand while capturing the great human truths.
And in case you sit there wondering how an album could possibly be this ridiculously good, it may have something to do with the fact that Jeff Lynne — named the fourth greatest producer in music history — is behind it. Well, that and Regina Spektor’s indisputable genius.
Another highlight comes from Laughing With, a piece of open-to-interpretation commentary on the hypocrisies of our belief systems.
Snag Far today and ponder existential truth to the best soundtrack there is.
27
Apr
2009
Monday Music Muse: Haley Bonar
What Dolly Parton has to do with today’s hippest indie rock scene.
Minnesota-based singer-songwriter Haley Bonar is a fascinating intersection of indie rock, pop-punk and folk. Channeled in a sweetly melodic voice, her lyrical sensibility flows from playfully light to deeply insightful in the stroke of an acoustic chord.
She’s part Aimee Mann, part Neko Case, part your favorite NPR Live session. And unpeggably novel at the same time.
If Haley’s voice sounds familiar, you may have caught her doing back vocals for another indie favorite of ours, Andrew Bird. But her latest solo album, Big Star, is a force all its own. Our top track: Better Half.
Among the singer-songwriter’s musical feats is a stride-stoppingly excellent cover of Dolly Parton’s Jolene.
And bonus points to Haley for her gig on our long-established favorite, Daytrotter, where you can snag the entire session for free.
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