Far
by Regina Spektor
Metascore
74

Generally favorable reviews - based on 28 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 19 out of 28
  2. Mixed: 9 out of 28
  3. Negative: 0 out of 28
  1. AllMusic
    60
    While Far is far from bad, it doesn't quite live up to expectations, either, based on all the talent involved in making it and how fully Spektor expressed herself on "Begin to Hope."
  2. Slant Magazine
    60
    Here she leaves behind the flaky-as-adorable posturing long enough to salvage Far from its role as capricious sideshow, and so, too, long enough for listeners to get a glimpse of the songwriting talent that lurks beneath the peculiarity.
  3. The Guardian
    60
    She's always interesting; for all the nonsense, Spektor is a writer with something to say.
  5. Dot Music
    60
    Frankly it makes our blood run cold with images of Sunday supplement purgatory, Spektor trading soft-focus licks with Katie Meluah from out of suburban glove compartments for decades to come. Thankfully the reality is nowhere near as bad as that.
  6. New Musical Express (NME)
    60
    Far goes some distance to halt a slide into mere radio-friendly pleasantness, though.
  7. No Ripcord
    60
    'One More Time With Feeling's' dynamics shift and her lyrics are vague, but carry a heartfelt sentiment. Far has too little of this and winds up being a mixed bag.
  8. Paste Magazine
    49
    No less than four producers--Mike Elizondo, David Kahne, Jeff Lynne and Garret “Jacknife” Lee--contributed to the album, and their collective efforts have resulted in a mid-tempo muddle of pseudo-lovely tracks plagued by a hovering cloud of meddling strings, slappy drums and perfunctory triangle chimes.
  9. Pitchfork
    48
    Unfortunately, all this talent behind the boards often feels like a waste because of Spektor's inability to let her songs stand on their own merits without the persistent interjection of vocal curlicues or verbal flights of fancy.
  10. Uncut
    40
    Throughout, there's an ungainly combination of the leaden and the jaunty. [Aug 2009, p.102]
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Awards & Rankings

80
#80 Most Discussed Album of 2009

User Reviews

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User Score
8.1

Universal acclaim- based on 73 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 59 out of 73
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 73
  3. Negative: 10 out of 73
  1. Jeremy
    Sep 16, 2009
    4
    Nice sounding, but its almost too perfect. The production gloss is overtaking her. 11:11 and Songs were brilliant albums of unbridled Nice sounding, but its almost too perfect. The production gloss is overtaking her. 11:11 and Songs were brilliant albums of unbridled creativity,brilliant, and beauty. THAT is te quirky regina. Everyone reviewing this album calls her a quirky genius, but i find this to be her most mundane album yet. She sounds bored 90% of the time, and she used to use her voice as so much more of an instrument. All her weird vocal affectations (ie: "2.99 Cent Blues" or "Lounge") are gone. She wouldn't dare do her old stuff now because Sire (her major label master) would never let her. She's doing what she wants, but within the confines of a major label. Especially the old Folding Chair where her voice was so much quirkier and more enthused. Now it's a bland attempt at recreating greatness. I miss the old Regina, and aside from one or two tracks, this is an annoyingly banal release. (EVERYONE needs to listen to her REAL first two albums, 11:11 and Songs. Then you can see if you're a fan of the true, original Regina Spektor.)… Full Review »
  2. clarinhaaa
    Nov 22, 2021
    10
    Regina Spektor keeps her charm and witty lyrics present in this wonderful album
  3. BladeLover2049
    Aug 22, 2018
    10
    Modern life made a musical. In the album we find the good and luminous side of the industrialization of the isolation, of capitalism, and ofModern life made a musical. In the album we find the good and luminous side of the industrialization of the isolation, of capitalism, and of everything that the industrial revolution brought. An album so positive and bright.… Full Review »
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