Culture
Review

What We Saw from the Cheap Seats

Christianity Today May 31, 2012

Style: quirky piano alternative, compare to Fiona Apple, St. Vincent, Tori Amos

What We Saw from the Cheap Seats

What We Saw from the Cheap Seats

WARNER RECORDS

May 29, 2012

Top tracks: “Firewood,” “All the Rowboats,” “Small Town Moon”

Regina Spektor’s fifth album is an endearing, unpredictable show. The collection juxtaposes slick singles (“All the Rowboats,”) with sparse ballads (“How”) and operatic in-character experimentation (“Oh Marcello”). Spektor’s not afraid to use her emotive voice in unusual ways, from mimicking trumpet to uttering visceral grunts. Her piano sprinkles classical flourishes, and her witty lyrics hint at Broadway-worthy storylines (“Open,” “Ballad of a Politician,” which uses the a-word). The Russian Jewish immigrant doesn’t tackle God or the Bible as directly as she has in past work, but her poetic perspectives carry a universal intimacy that reaches the soul. Careful listeners will feel the tension between humanity and spirituality in the heartbreaking optimism of “Firewood.”

Copyright © 2012 Christianity Today. Click for reprint information.

Our Latest

News

‘Is That the Same Charlie?’

Awarding Kirk the Medal of Freedom, President Trump questioned his widow’s emphasis on his willingness to forgive and love his enemies.

Public Theology Project

Gaza Has More to Do with Your Life Than You Think

Biblical references to Gaza show that once-hostile frontiers are a pathway of grace.

The Russell Moore Show

Beth Moore on Falling in Love with Ecclesiastes

It’s time for a Moore family reunion to discuss the most depressing book of the Bible.

Happy 76th Birthday, Joni Eareckson Tada!

First in a series called Long Obedience in the Same Direction.

Does Oman’s Ban on Evangelism Increase Its Religious Liberty?

An interfaith center challenges persecution group Open Doors’ designation.

Excerpt

After Hostage Release, Peace Remains Uncertain

Israel and Gaza wait for results of cease-fire agreement.

Wonderology

No Dark Sky

Does living in a vast universe make humanity less significant?

News

Good News About Christian Hospitals in Africa

Study author praises staff members who “stay where their presence matters most.”

Apple PodcastsDown ArrowDown ArrowDown Arrowarrow_left_altLeft ArrowLeft ArrowRight ArrowRight ArrowRight Arrowarrow_up_altUp ArrowUp ArrowAvailable at Amazoncaret-downCloseCloseEmailEmailExpandExpandExternalExternalFacebookfacebook-squareGiftGiftGooglegoogleGoogle KeephamburgerInstagraminstagram-squareLinkLinklinkedin-squareListenListenListenChristianity TodayCT Creative Studio Logologo_orgMegaphoneMenuMenupausePinterestPlayPlayPocketPodcastRSSRSSSaveSaveSaveSearchSearchsearchSpotifyStitcherTelegramTable of ContentsTable of Contentstwitter-squareWhatsAppXYouTubeYouTube