Far - Regina Spektor
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Metascore

Generally favorable reviews - based on 28 Critics What's this?

User Score

Universal acclaim- based on 44 Ratings

  • Summary: The Russian-born singer-songwriter's latest album was produced by Jeff Lynne, Mike Elizondo, David Kahne and Garret "Jacknife" Lee.
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 19 out of 28
  2. Negative: 0 out of 28
  1. The tunes are consistently fetching, and a few standouts have clever lyrics.
  2. She's making a bid for the mainstream, even recruiting ex-ELO mainman Jeff Lyne to her corner on five tracks, including grandiose highlight 'Human Of The Year,' a three-minute distillation of the album's overriding facination with religion. [Aug 2009, p.104]
  3. 80
    This is an adventurous, joyful album from a major talent. [Aug 2009, p.98]
  4. Far goes some distance to halt a slide into mere radio-friendly pleasantness, though.

See all 28 Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 12 out of 15
  2. Negative: 2 out of 15
  1. EstebanO
    10
    Pop perfection, powerful alternative rates combined with smooth melodies next to an almost angelical and deeply confused voice...the best album of the year!!! Expand
  2. GregS.
    10
    Just brilliant. More highly polished than previous albums, this nonetheless sets the bar for every female singer-songwriter. A classically trained pianist with something to say. And she's not afraid to say it. Quirky, melodious, and thought provoking. Love it. Expand
  3. This album by Regina Spektor has a few standout songs (Genius Next Door, Blue Lips, Two Birds, Human of the Year), and those songs work very well. Unfortunately, many mark a new, radio-friendly turn for Spektor while the other descend into complete immaturity. However, Spektor's immaturity is still pretty pleasing. Expand
  4. Jeremy
    4
    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.) Expand

See all 15 User Reviews