It is truly hard to describe Regina Spektor. She has the angst of Tori Amos but not the manic depressive suicidal undertones. In fact her music can only be described as quirky, bouncy and ultimately extremely catchy. Spektor uses the piano in short staccato bursts, almost like a percussion instrument on her more upbeat songs. This gives her songs a joyous, bouncy rhythm which is impossible not to react to. Couple that with her understated singing and you've got something fresh and unique in the world of female singer-songwriters.
'Calculation' is a bouncy March which recalls one walking through the streets on a sunny day. There are shades of hip-hop in the excellent “Dance Anthem of the 80's” where Spektor is incredibly able to stretch the word “sleep” into at least 11 syllables.
Spektor's moods seem to be in two modes, slow and introspective or bouncy and playful. Songs like 'Man of A Thousand Faces' is a gorgeous piano ballad and “Eet” would sound like Vanessa Carlton if it wasn't for Spektors eccentric vocal phrasing.
For me, the best thing about Regina Spektor is how different her approach to singing is. Instead of the soaring notes and throaty over singing that we have become used to through repeated viewing of American Idol, she sings in her own unique, understated way, mixing up her delivery with comical falsettos, quirky lyrics and a sound I can only describe as dolphin noises. It is a joy to hear someone truly unique with great songwriting ability to back it up.