[Review] Regina Spektor - All The Rowboats

I, like the majority of America, fell in love with singer/songwriter Regina Spektor after hearing "Fidelity," from her 2006 album Begin To Hope.  I'm not sure if it was the song's appearance on a popular TV show like Grey's Anatomy, or perhaps in a commercial but as soon as it played for the first time, I couldn't get enough.  Spektor's voice, while not all that powerful, is filled-to-the-brim with CHARACTER.  As a female singer, without a big, powerful voice and lots of range, you had better hope your voice has got CHARACTER, because otherwise you've got nothing.  Regina Spektor's voice has got character for days, and not only that! Regina Spektor is a poet.  Her gift and talent as a songwriter is IMMENSE.  No one knows the character of her voice better than she does, which in turn enables her to craft the perfect vehicle and for Regina Spektor, that perfect vehicle was "Fidelity."

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My Weekly Last FM Chart

Here's this weeks Last FM chart, chronicling this past week in terms of most listened to artists and songs.

Most Listened To Artists:

1. Jordin Sparks

2. Regina Spektor

3. Duffy

4. Blake Lewis

5. Lily Allen

This past week, the new Jordin Sparks album came out. As a result, Jordin appears in both my most listened to artists for the week as well as most listened to tracks. I've been dealing with a bad cold/flu this past week, so the soothing sounds of Regina Spektor and Duffy were helpful in making me feel better. Blake Lewis...as I get ready for his new album, Heartbreak On Vinyl...I went back and listened to his debut album, as well as his new brilliant single "Sad Song." Good stuff! Lily Allen...there's always room for Lily! Her music just makes me happy.

Most Listened To Songs:

1. Jordin Sparks - The Cure

2. Jordin Sparks - Don't Let It Go To Your Head

3. Jordin Sparks - Faith

4. Brooke White - Hold Up My Heart

5. Jordin Sparks - Walking On Snow

Hmmm...turns out I didn't to the same song more than twice this past week. All of these songs I listened to 2 X exactly. Other songs that made the list include the rest of the Jordin Sparks record and the Brooke Hogan/Flo Rida jam, "Ruff Me Up."

My Weekly Last FM Chart

Here it goes...my most listened to artists and songs of the past week according to my Last FM chart.

Most Listened To Artists:

1. Regina Spektor

2. Dan Black

3. VV Brown

4. Jordin Sparks

5. Amy Winehouse

I listened to Regina Spektor a lot this past week. As I mentioned in my little review, her album is pretty damn amazing. From the songwriting, to the melodies and instrumentation - Far is just a solid record through and through. Dan Black's album is also solid, although completely different. It's up-tempo electro-pop and I'm hooked on two tracks in particular: "Symphonies" and "Alone." VV Brown - love her. Enough said. Jordin Sparks - hmm...well the new album leaked. It's coming out on Tuesday and I plan to pick it up for sure. It's a solid pop album with lots of good hooks. Amy Winehouse...I saw some pictures of her online, showing her looking better than she has recently...and there was a glimmer of hope. Her first two albums are so nearly perfect...I really shouldn't need an excuse to listen to them.

Most Listened To Songs:

1. Regina Spektor - Laughing With

2. Dan Black - Symphonies

3. Shakira - She Wolf

4. Regina Spektor - Blue Lips

5. Dan Black - Alone

Spektor's single "Laughing With" is so good. It pulls at my heart, which isn't necessarily something I want to show while at work. There was just something so mesmerizing about her voice...perhaps it's her soft-spoken tone or perhaps it's her slight accent...whatever it is I can't get enough. "Symphonies" isn't as good as "Hypntz" would have been but it's pretty darn close. "She Wolf" has been growing on me since day one. I love the "Aaaoooo" in the chorus and the fierce electro-beat is insane. Can't wait to hear some remixes for this track, although I don't know if we even need any. "Blue Lips" is another Regina song that hit a chord. Then again, if you'll look at my top 20 you'll see that virtually every track from that album is on there.

New Music Tuesday: VV Brown, Dan Black & More

And I wonder where all of my money goes...in addition to dropping just over $100 on that Girls Aloud Singles Boxed Set, I bought some full length albums as well this week. Here's the rundown...

Regina Spektor - Far: I love, love LOVE this album. I really got hooked on Regina Spektor with her commercially successful single "Fidelity" (another thank you owed to "Grey's Anatomy") but I went back and started listening to some of her older stuff as well. I liked it. While I still prefer Begin To Hope, to previous effort, Soviet Kitsch - Far may be my new favorite. I was surprised to read that Jacknife Lee produced a few tracks on the album. Why surprised? Because I knew Jacknife Lee as a remixer only! He did remixes for Christina Aguilera's "Can't Hold Us Down," Pink's "Just Like A Pill" and U2's "Vertigo" to name a few.

Top Tracks: "Laughing With," "Wallet," "One More Time With

Feeling," "Dance Anthem Of The 80's"

Check Out Regina Spektor on the web: Official Site//MySpace//YouTube

VV Brown - Travelling Like The Light: [SEE PREVIOUS POST FOR FULL REVIEW] I ordered the debut album from British artist VV Brown on Monday morning from CDWOW, in addition to two other CDs.

Top Tracks: "Shark In The Water," "Crying Blood," "L.O.V.E.," "I Love You"

Check Out VV Brown on the web: Official Site//MySpace//Facebook//Bebo//YouTube//Twitter

La Roux - Self Titled: As for La Roux, I don't know much about them, other than what I've read and what I've heard. I know I love singles "In For The Kill," "Quicksand," and "Bulletproof," as well as all of the associated remixes. I also know that I love Elly Jackson's vocals and personal style. Finally...I know that I'm disappointed that La Roux isn't coming to Boston as part of their small U.S. tour. My hope is that this tour is just a small teaser and that they will be back. Next single in the UK is "I'm Not Your Toy," and I'm looking forward to familiarizing myself with that track as well as the rest of the album.

Check out La Roux on the web: Official Site//MySpace//Facebook//YouTube

Dan Black - ((Un)): You've heard me rave about Dan Black as well. Well, truth be told, other than this online sampler that's been floating around (including the now defunct single "Hypntz" - a cover of Notorious B.I.G.'s "Hypnotize") and clips of his new single "Symphonies," I don't know the first thing about Dan Black! I know he's cute and talented. I also know that I like his style of electro-pop and that he has HUGE remix potential. He kind of reminds me of Sam Sparro, another electro-pop artist that I enjoy. Like La Roux, Dan Black is another artist I am looking forward to familiarizing myself with. Check out previous singles "Alone," "Yours" and the acoustic version of "U + Me =". Order the album HERE.

Check out Dan Black on the web: Official Site//MySpace//YouTube//Twitter

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AND THERE'S MORE...on iTunes today I purchased the new Shakira single "She Wolf," the long-awaited digital remix EP of "It's Your Love" from Melinda Doolittle, "First Train Home" from Imogen Heap and a couple "Love In July" remixes by Sally Shapiro.

What a week! And it's only Tuesday! Ha! I think I'm good for a little while...at least until the new Jordin Sparks album drops on July 21st.

Any other new music I should check out?

Most Anticipated Summer Albums

Here it goes, my most anticipated albums of the next couple of months. If there's an album that I've missed or if you have a suggestion, feel free to leave me a comment! I'm always up for hearing new music.

June

Daniel Merriweather - Love & War (June 1st)

Aussie pop star Daniel Merriweather is poised to release his second solo album (the first of which was never released) on June 1st in the UK. The record contains the UK top 10 hit "Change," as well as his current single, "Red." I first heard Merriweather's vocals on Mark Ronson's fabulous "Stop Me," followed by an appearance on Wiley's single "Cash In My Pocket." I'm glad he's now in the spotlight, as he truly has a fantastic voice and he's super cute to boot.

Check out Daniel Merriweather on the web: Official Site/MySpace/Facebook/Twitter/Bebo/YouTube

Little Boots – Hands (June 8th)

British electropop artist Little Boots releases her debut album on June 8th. I first heard her on a remix of her first single "Meddle" and was instantly intrigued. I then heard her doing an acoustic version of Kid Cudi's "Day 'N' Nite." Brilliant. Her new single "New In Town" is equally amazing, as is the Fred Falke remix. Written in LA with Greg Kurstin and Joe Goddard I'm still hoping this one gets a U.S. release. U.S. TV host Carson Daly did an entire show dedicated to her and she made an appearance at the prestigious SXSW festival in Texas, so hopefully this is a good sign for us U.S. fans.

Check out Little Boots on the web: Official Site/MySpace/Facebook/YouTube/Twitter

Black Eyed Peas - The E.N.D. (The Energy Never Dies) (June 9th)

I've never been a huge Black Eyed Peas fan, in fact I never really listened to them before Fergie joined the group. Their upcoming album, released Stateside on June 9th (June 8th in the UK) appears to be right up my alley. The electro-infused hip hop beats that make up first single "Boom Boom Pow" marks a new direction for the band. I don't know how die hard fans of the Peas like the new sound, but to me, it's a sound that's very fresh and Euro. Follow up single " I Gotta Feelin'" produced by David Guetta sounds a little bit too pop for my liking, while digital only release "Imma Bee" follow more closely in style to "Boom Boom Pow." "Alive" will be released as another digital-only single on May 26th. We'll see what the E.N.D. result will be. I'm optimistic.

Check out the Black Eyed Peas on the web: Official Site/MySpace/Facebook/ILike

Gossip - Music For Men (June 23rd)

This marks the major label debut for the U.S. Indie Rock group Gossip. The group's fourth album comes out in the UK on June 22nd and the next day in the U.S. While they've traditionally had more success in the UK, with some proper promotion, they could do well in the U.S. Backed by a strong gay following, the groups most popular single, "Standing In The Way of Control" was all about gay marriage. On my last trip to the UK I picked up the album of the same name as well as an EP of dance remixes from that album. Good stuff. "Heavy Cross" is the first single off this new album, available on iTunes now.

Check out Gossip on the web: Official Site/MySpace/YouTube

Regina Spektor – Far (June 23rd)

I admittedly only recently joined the Regina Spektor fanclub, namely after her song "Fidelity" became well known here in the states and "On The Radio" appeared on an episode of "Grey's Anatomy." Since then, I purchased her last album Begin To Hope and as a result, have 2 new favorite tracks - "Samson," & "Better." I'm sad that her new album hasn't really received much in the way of promotion as of yet. New single "Laugh With" barely hit iTunes with a whisper and the album is coming out next month! Her new music sounds very similar to songs on her last album, so chances are I'm going to love this new one as well.

Check out Regina Spektor on the web: Official Site/MySpace/YouTube

La Roux – La Roux (June 29th)

La Roux is the next big thing to come out of the UK. This electropop duo is made up of singer Elly Jackson and producer/co-writer Ben Langmaid. With a sound heavily influenced by by 1980s synth pop including Eurythmics, Depeche Mode, The Human League, Yazoo and Prince, La Roux brings a distinctive style to their music and I expect big things from their debut album on Polydor. So far two singles have been released, "Quicksand" and "In For The Kill" which peaked on the UK charts at number 2. Third single, "Bulletproof" is released on June 15th.

Check out La Roux on the web: Official Site/MySpace/Facebook/YouTube

July

Dan Black – ((Un)) (July 6th)

Formerly part of English alternative band, The Servant, Dan Black is now a solo entity since the band split up in 2007. Black now is set to release his solo debut, ((Un)) on July 6th in the UK. The first single, "Yours" was released in fall of 2008, while follow up single "Alone" came out this past March. According to a blog post, Black was all set to film the video to his brilliant third single, "Hypnotz" (a loose cover of "Hypnotz" by the late, great Notorious B.I.G. before it was all nixed due to legal issues. Apparently, Biggie's estate wasn't allowing anyone to use Biggie's lyrics. Instead, Black wrote a new song "Symphonies" which will serve as the new single, out on June 29th. This is disappointing to me, as I loved "Hypnotz" so much. We will move forward somehow and Dan Black's album will still no doubt be brilliant.

Check out Dan Black on the web: Official Site/MySpace/YouTube/Twitter

Frankmusik - Complete Me (July 13th)

Yet another UK electropop artist for me to love - Frankmusik releases his hotly anticipated debut album on July 13th in the UK. Previously having opened for such acts as Sam Sparro and Keane and the upcoming Pet Shop Boys tour - Frankmusik is ready to explode onto the scene. Both a remixer and a writer, he's completed remixes for Alphabeat, Pet Shop Boys and Mika. He's also working with Holly Valance. His next single, "Confusion Girl" looks to be a hot one just as previous singles "3 Little Words" and "Better Off As Two" were.

Check out Frankmusik on the web: Official Site/MySpace/Facebook/Twitter/YouTube

VV Brown - Travelling Like The Light (July 20th)

I'm so excited for this album, I can hardly contain myself! Everything about VV Brown is just so infectious! Her voice, her sense of style, her pure talent - everything! I wish this album was coming out now! From promotional single "Crying Blood," to her first official release "Leave!" and upcoming single "Shark In The Water" - everything this lady puts out is pure genius. Her music has a little bit of everything - soul, rock, pop, electronica - it's the perfect mix!

Check out VV Brown on the web: Official Site/Blog/Facebook/Bebo/YouTube/Twitter

Jordin Sparks – Battlefield (July 21st)

This American Idol knows how to churn out the hits, as evidenced by all three singles off her last album hitting the top 20 on Billboard's Pop and Hot 100 charts. Her new single co-written by OneRepublic's Ryan Tedder is already doing well on the digital charts and is officially released to radio this week. Sparks just announced via Twitter that the album will be released on July 21st and that the video for "Battlefield" is near completion. Her new album features contributions from hitmakers like Stargate, Dr. Luke, Max Martin, Claude Kelly, Lucas Secon, Toby Gad, and Jesse McCartney. This album is going to be epic!

Check out Jordin Sparks on the web: Official Site/MySpace/Facebook/Twitter/YouTube