• Record Label: Sire
  • Release Date: Mar 1, 2005
User Score
8.1

Universal acclaim- based on 80 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 68 out of 80
  2. Negative: 10 out of 80

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  1. Aug 22, 2018
    10
    That which physically separates us also drives us away spiritually. Divorce, growth, money and other things drive us away and exile us in unknown places. The album talks about retaking that distant happiness, and also about how that pain is. A great album.
  2. Pedro
    Mar 9, 2007
    10
    TNH, you don't even know good grammar! "she is a terrible songwriters"? Get your plural/singular differences right, asshole! This CD is amazing. Regina is next in the line of great women who play the piano, including Tori, Kate, and Fiona. Her lyrics are wonderfully unique and her voice is beautiful.
  3. JoannaG.
    Mar 9, 2005
    9
    I hear the voices of Fiona Apple, PJ Harvey, Bjork, and many other female artists when Regina sings.
  4. DavisW
    May 4, 2005
    8
    Really smart, sweet melodies. I fall more in love with her each time I listen to it.
  5. slick50
    Jun 1, 2005
    10
    sweet, trilling voice that hits all the high notes. Unpredictable, yet emotional melodies. Not to be missed by fans of female music.
  6. NickyT
    Jun 12, 2005
    9
    Unique vocals that tickles the hairs on your neck...
  7. TaraL
    Sep 3, 2005
    10
    i think regina spektor is simply AMAZING.
  8. MegM
    Mar 15, 2005
    9
    I saw her on Late Night with Conan O'Brian. As soon as I listened to her sing, I got up, went to my computer and downloaded her CD. I love it. Its actually playing right now
  9. DonaldH
    Mar 5, 2005
    10
    Usually I don't by discs on a whim, and my only experience with Regina prior to this was a bootleg of the track "Post-Modern Girls" she did with the Strokes last year, however, popping this disc in, I have to admit it sent shivers down my spine multiple times. It's minimalistc arrangements and piano ballads coupled with wonderfully moving lyrics and a voice that recalls both Ani Usually I don't by discs on a whim, and my only experience with Regina prior to this was a bootleg of the track "Post-Modern Girls" she did with the Strokes last year, however, popping this disc in, I have to admit it sent shivers down my spine multiple times. It's minimalistc arrangements and piano ballads coupled with wonderfully moving lyrics and a voice that recalls both Ani Difranco and Patti Smith, it's refreshing and incredibly touching stuff. My highest recommendation. Expand
  10. LocoTino
    Apr 9, 2005
    10
    Fantastic, I can totally see where she is coming from.
  11. CarynM
    May 4, 2006
    10
    I could listen to Regina Spektor for hours! She is simply amazing. She is all about originality. Her album is fun to listen to and I don't think I'll ever get sick of it. I've showed her album to my husband, my best friend and her husband, and also my little brothers sisters.....they absolutely LOVED the album. I showed this album to my mom and my husbands parents, they are I could listen to Regina Spektor for hours! She is simply amazing. She is all about originality. Her album is fun to listen to and I don't think I'll ever get sick of it. I've showed her album to my husband, my best friend and her husband, and also my little brothers sisters.....they absolutely LOVED the album. I showed this album to my mom and my husbands parents, they are all over 40, and did not appreciate this album because I think it was too different for them, and when you are old you are stuck in your ways! Expand
  12. ThomasW
    Jan 10, 2007
    10
    Regina Spektor is a very talented girl. She has an amazing voice and can tickle those ivories like there's no tomorrow. She has done well on this album but did even better with "Begin to Hope." I;m glad she made another album. It's amazing and far better than "Soviet Kitsch." Regina simply has a unique sound that you won't hear from anybody else.
  13. CharlesC.
    Mar 1, 2007
    10
    Its not breathtaking, but its not pretentious. It can feel naive at times, but its so damn sincere, you just don't care. And that's the core of this album...absolute sincerity...its funny, lush and has more than a couple of tracks you'll listen to over and over again. Try 'Us,' 'The Ghost of Corporate Future,' 'Ode to Divorce.'
  14. axelc
    Oct 30, 2005
    10
    excellent!!!!!! very original style, non commercial, i like that!!!
  15. JonathanA
    Mar 13, 2005
    10
    I saw Regina Spektor play at the Hotel Cafe in Los Angeles and I knew nothing of her music. I was so impressed I bought both of her albums at the show and was also impressed with her album 'Songs' which I highly recommend. Her songs have a quality that makes you want to listen to them over and over again. If you can see her live, run don't walk!
  16. OscarCurmudgeon
    Sep 24, 2006
    10
    Quite simply, the girl has a gift. Intriguing and beguiling, funny and dolorous by turn, this artisthas a potential which seems to this listener to have no obvious limits. This album is a sprawiling and confounding joy.
  17. AlN
    Sep 8, 2006
    10
    This woman is amazing, you can listen to the same songs for hours and hear something new everytime.
  18. AliR
    Mar 14, 2005
    8
    There are moments on this album when Regina reminds you what music is all about. Shame she ocassionaly gets a little pretentious.
  19. Amy
    Nov 28, 2006
    10
    I adore her music. It's all i listen to lately.
  20. Sep 22, 2010
    10
    Regina Spektor is so very under credited. Her song "Us" is among my favorite songs and this album is in plain english "OUTSTANDING"....THere is nothing that needs to be changed or rerecorded...Pure joy when it is listened to
  21. Aug 5, 2020
    10
    This record blew my mind, it’s amazing and I really loved it. Give it a listen
  22. Sep 9, 2015
    7
    It definitely took me a couple of listens to fully recognize the depth of this album but, regardless of my high expectations, I'm still convinced Regina can effortlessly make an inspiring album... I think what I loved most was the flow of the album as a whole, it is as seamless as the stream of consciousness lyrics that make seemingly ugly truths sound beautiful.
  23. Nov 22, 2021
    10
    Regina Spektor is such a great and smart storyteller, her voice so beautiful and sweet. Love it.
Metascore
72

Generally favorable reviews - based on 9 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 9
  2. Negative: 1 out of 9
  1. Spektor is an engaging performer throughout the album, and despite her arty quirks, she's never pretentious.
  2. 80
    Traces of Joni Mitchell, PJ Harvey, Björk and Cat Power are all proudly on display in the unpredictable arrangements and off-kilter emotions.
  3. Entertainment Weekly
    75
    While her art folk has its considerable charms, it's also erratic and, at times, exhausting. [11 Feb 2005, p.63]