# I love Regina Spektor! Give me more! **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [February 17, 2010, 5:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-love-regina-spektor-give-me-more/529301 "2010-02-17T05:29:36Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Windwalker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/5e9695/32.png) [@Windwalker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Windwalker)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2010, 5:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-love-regina-spektor-give-me-more/529301/1 "2010-02-17T05:29:36Z")
Oh, Regina, let me count the ways. She just has this magic oomph of creativity, charm, vocal gymnastics, and a daring to be weird that I can’t seem to get enough of. I probably only like 40% of her songs (a very good rate for picky ol’ me), but she produces more songs that I outright love than almost anyone. Stuff like\* On The Radio, Better, Samson, Two Birds, Folding Chair, Us, Human of the Year\*, etc. Even most of the songs I don’t like, I can respect because she’s trying something interesting. Is there anyone else like her? ---
**Author:** ![Jophiel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jophiel/32/66_2.png) [@Jophiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jophiel)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2010, 5:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-love-regina-spektor-give-me-more/529301/2 "2010-02-17T05:42:39Z")
My wife and I like her. We’ve seen her live twice now and both times were a treat. Her last show we caught was at the Chicago theater this past summer and was one of the best concerts either of us had seen. ---
**Author:** ![Jophiel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jophiel/32/66_2.png) [@Jophiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jophiel)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2010, 5:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-love-regina-spektor-give-me-more/529301/3 "2010-02-17T05:51:27Z")
Oh, by the way, I’m sure you’re fully capable of locating her albums, etc but if you find her interesting as a person, there’s several NPR pieces where she talks about her music, history, and all that jazz. Be sure to play the “Listen” part and not just read the pieces. [Example](http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=5518985&ps=rs) [Other example](http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=121060269) ---
**Author:** ![B.Serum](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/b.serum/32/14266_2.png) [@B.Serum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/B.Serum)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2010, 6:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-love-regina-spektor-give-me-more/529301/4 "2010-02-17T06:53:21Z")
I’m a big John Lennon fan, but Regina’s [live version](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PQm0QlfvWtk) at Bonnaroo turned this song into one of my favorites. In answer to your question, I don’t think anyone is exactly like her, but there are some artists who individually have some similar qualities you may want to explore. (YMMV) [ul] [li] **Yael Naim** [/li][li] **Katie Costello** [/li][li] **Inara George** (also as a part of the **Living Sisters** a brand new side project to be released at the end of March with two other artists whose name escapes me right now.)[/li][li] **Jesca Hoop** [/li][li] **Ana Laan** [/li][li] **Emily Wells** [/li][li] **Nellie McKay** [/li][li] **The Langley Sisters** [/li][li] **Tori Amos** (her predecessor, as far as I’m concerned)[/li][/ul] and some Bens… [ul] [li] **Ben Folds** (I’m sure you’re familiar with their duet)[/li][li] **Ben Sollee** [/li][/ul] ---
**Author:** ![HazelNutCoffee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/ac91a4/32.png) [@HazelNutCoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HazelNutCoffee)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2010, 7:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-love-regina-spektor-give-me-more/529301/5 "2010-02-17T07:02:36Z")
I love Regina. I love her latest album, although her music videos aren’t as good as they used to be. I like Nellie McKay too, and some of her songs do seem somewhat Regina-esque. ---
**Author:** ![Ephemera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8baadc/32.png) [@Ephemera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ephemera)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2010, 3:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-love-regina-spektor-give-me-more/529301/6 "2010-02-17T15:30:19Z")
Tori Amos is pretty much the godmother of the (sorry, I realize this is almost a meaningless word) quirky, often piano-based female singer-songwriter niche of music. Kate Bush, as well. To second \*\*B. Serum \*\*(whose musical taste I love based on what I see listed) Nellie McKay Emily Wells Jesca Hoop (a thousand times, yes) And some others: Mirah Pretty Balanced Ani DiFranco Rasputina Dresden Dolls Amanda Palmer Jenny Owen Youngs Imogen Heap Matson Jones This is my favorite type of music. ---
**Author:** ![Windwalker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/5e9695/32.png) [@Windwalker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Windwalker)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2010, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-love-regina-spektor-give-me-more/529301/7 "2010-02-17T17:28:21Z")
Thanks for the reccs, everyone! I’ll try to hunt them down. Maybe their music, too. > [@B.Serum](#): > > I’m a big John Lennon fan, but Regina’s [live version](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PQm0QlfvWtk) at Bonnaroo turned this song into one of my favorites. > > In answer to your question, I don’t think anyone is exactly like her, but there are some artists who individually have some similar qualities you may want to explore. (YMMV) > > [ul] > [li] **Yael Naim** [/li][li] **Katie Costello** [/li][li] **Inara George** (also as a part of the **Living Sisters** a brand new side project to be released at the end of March with two other artists whose name escapes me right now.)[/li][li] **Jesca Hoop** [/li][li] **Ana Laan** [/li][li] **Emily Wells** [/li][li] **Nellie McKay** [/li][li] **The Langley Sisters** [/li][li] **Tori Amos** (her predecessor, as far as I’m concerned)[/li][/ul] > > and some Bens… > [ul] > [li] **Ben Folds** (I’m sure you’re familiar with their duet)[/li][li] **Ben Sollee** [/li][/ul] Cool interview, thanks! I really like Nellie McKay, but Tori Amos usually just bores me. I’ll give the other lasses (and lads) a shot, though! ---
**Author:** ![Revtim](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/revtim/32/1042_2.png) [@Revtim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Revtim)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2010, 6:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-love-regina-spektor-give-me-more/529301/8 "2010-02-17T18:38:44Z")
Try going to [pandora.com](http://pandora.com), make a station based on her, and see what it throws at you. ---
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2010, 12:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-love-regina-spektor-give-me-more/529301/9 "2010-02-18T12:00:05Z")
There’s a South African band you may want to check out - Dear Reader. They were formerly known as Harris Tweed. These are the DR song [Great White Bear](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r_NPQN3z_e0), and the HT [song Ode to Confusion](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eBXlNY_yOh0). Youtube has other links. ---
**Author:** ![Windwalker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/5e9695/32.png) [@Windwalker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Windwalker)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2010, 5:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-love-regina-spektor-give-me-more/529301/10 "2010-02-18T17:56:32Z")
> [@Revtim](#): > > Try going to [pandora.com](http://pandora.com), make a station based on her, and see what it throws at you. I’ve actually done this, but I’m not terribly impressed with the results. It’s been giving people like: **Ingrid Michaelson** - I really like _The Hat_, but otherwise, not very inspiring. **Kate Nash** - Does some of the cool Regina-esque vocal things, but the actual songwriting is not very strong (_Mouthwash_ is OK). **A Fine Frenzy** - Meh **Feist** - Only heard as couple songs, but so far, meh. ---
**Author:** ![duality72](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/duality72/32/3910_2.png) [@duality72](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/duality72)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2010, 10:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-love-regina-spektor-give-me-more/529301/11 "2010-02-18T22:33:20Z")
Some other choices from my Pandora stations (not Regina specifically, but ones she shows up on): **Tegan and Sara Meiko Jem The Blow Sara Bareilles Smoosh Merril Bainbridge Yael Naim Imogen Heap Lenka** ---
**Author:** ![DWMarch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dwmarch/32/1010_2.png) [@DWMarch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DWMarch)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2010, 10:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-love-regina-spektor-give-me-more/529301/12 "2010-02-20T10:02:25Z")
> [@Windwalker](#): > > **Feist** - Only heard as couple songs, but so far, meh. She’ll grow on you. I thought the exact same thing when I first listened to The Reminder. If you want to see her stepping on the gas, check out this video of her in Paris performing Ron Sexsmith’s “Secret Heart”: ![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/bj1w0vxCC2w/maxresdefault.jpg)https://www.youtube.com/embed/bj1w0vxCC2w?feature=oembed&wmode=opaque ---
**Author:** ![Baggins111](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/9fc29f/32.png) [@Baggins111](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baggins111)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2010, 3:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-love-regina-spektor-give-me-more/529301/13 "2010-02-21T03:15:56Z")
_sigh_ I’m a 39 year old man and I love Regina Spektor. _sigh_ I had my work friends load up in the truck to go to lunch one day and when I started up the truck, Regina Spektor’s _Consequence of Sounds_ was playing on the CD from the drive to work. I almost got my man-card revoked. But I don’t give a shit and I will stand by Miss Spektor. She’s a wonderful vocalist and lyricist. Try [Neko Case](http://www.nekocase.com/). More guitar-y-ish. ---
**Author:** ![Windwalker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/5e9695/32.png) [@Windwalker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Windwalker)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2010, 12:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-love-regina-spektor-give-me-more/529301/14 "2010-02-23T00:26:59Z")
> [@Baggins111](#): > > _sigh_ > > I’m a 39 year old man and I love Regina Spektor. > > _sigh_ > > I had my work friends load up in the truck to go to lunch one day and when I started up the truck, Regina Spektor’s _Consequence of Sounds_ was playing on the CD from the drive to work. > > I almost got my man-card revoked. > > But I don’t give a shit and I will stand by Miss Spektor. She’s a wonderful vocalist and lyricist. > > Try [Neko Case](http://www.nekocase.com/). More guitar-y-ish. I’ve had a similar experience, when a couple of guys were standing around making fun of _On The Radio_ cuz one of them had heard it earlier. I mentioned that it was one of my favorite songs in all of existence, and they thought I was just messing with’em… What kind of female musicians are we man-folk supposed to like? Regina at least doesn’t talk about love and men in every damned song, which already makes her more manly than like 75% of other pop artists. As for Neko, I already love her, at least her later stuff. Fox Confessor is one of the best albums of the decade. I can see you have good taste, though, and to hell with the haters! 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Nzinga\_Seated](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/b5ac83/32.png) [@Nzinga\_Seated](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nzinga_Seated)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2010, 1:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-love-regina-spektor-give-me-more/529301/15 "2010-02-23T01:21:22Z")
> [@Windwalker](#): > > **Kate Nash** - Does some of the cool Regina-esque vocal things, but the actual songwriting is not very strong (_Mouthwash_ is OK). I love Regina. Those sweeping cresendos just take me away! I came in here to recommend Nash, although I don’t think she is nearly as good. But if you praise Mouthwash, you GOTTA love Dickhead, too, right? That’s my _joint!_ ---
**Author:** ![bagga](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@bagga](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bagga)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2010, 5:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-love-regina-spektor-give-me-more/529301/16 "2010-02-23T05:34:56Z")
[A little treat for y’all](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wGc0PqKBnno) ---
**Author:** ![Windwalker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/5e9695/32.png) [@Windwalker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Windwalker)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2010, 10:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-love-regina-spektor-give-me-more/529301/17 "2010-02-25T10:22:34Z")
> [@duality72](#): > > Some other choices from my Pandora stations (not Regina specifically, but ones she shows up on): > > \*\* > Yael Naim > \*\* So I’ve seen her name pop up a few times, and your post finally pushed me over the edge into checking her out. She not only has a pretty voice, but displays some nice songcraft in her self-titled album, esp. in songs like _Shelcha_ and _Pachad_. I really wish I spoke Hebrew! The lyrics in her English songs seem a bit shallow, though I guess it’s possible her Hebrew lyrics are no better. Apparently _New Soul_ was the hit that actually charted on the Billboard Top 10, and it’s one of the weakest songs on the album. ---
**Author:** ![Windwalker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/5e9695/32.png) [@Windwalker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Windwalker)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2010, 10:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-love-regina-spektor-give-me-more/529301/18 "2010-02-25T10:40:07Z")
> [@DWMarch](#): > > She’ll grow on you. I thought the exact same thing when I first listened to The Reminder. > > If you want to see her stepping on the gas, check out this video of her in Paris performing Ron Sexsmith’s “Secret Heart”: > > [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bj1w0vxCC2w](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bj1w0vxCC2w) That is indeed a great cover. I listened to most of the songs on her first two albums, and you’re right, Ms. Feist is growing on me a little. I guess my main problem is, while she does have a great voice, the majority of her songs do nothing for me. Songs like _The Mast_ just seem like a tremendous waste of her time and talent. But thanks for the heads up; she’s definitely interesting enough that I’ll probably try to listen to her two more recent albums as well. ---
**Author:** ![Chum](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/3ab097/32.png) [@Chum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chum)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2010, 8:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-love-regina-spektor-give-me-more/529301/19 "2010-02-25T20:38:56Z")
I love Regina, too. I’d recommend you try St. Vincent. She’s in a similar category - beautiful woman, beautiful voice, clever songs, kinda weird - but substitute guitar for piano. Both of her CDs are good, but I think I like her debut, _Marry Me_, a bit better. I also recommend Imogen Heap. She’s less similar, but still delightfully weird. Her voice isn’t as strong as Regina’s - a bit breathy - but her songs are strong. ---
**Author:** ![PookahMacPhellimey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pookahmacphellimey/32/3175_2.png) [@PookahMacPhellimey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PookahMacPhellimey)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2010, 10:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-love-regina-spektor-give-me-more/529301/20 "2010-02-26T10:22:19Z")
Emiliana Torrini, perhaps? [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-love-regina-spektor-give-me-more/529301.md?page=2)