Music that's been drivin' me bonkers.

05.20.07 at 12:00 AM

Lately there have been some songs I've been obsessing over more than usual. I got Regina Spektor's new album a while ago and I thought it was pretty good. I liked "Soviet Kitsch" better - I think I still do. For one reason or another, I experienced a little Regina resurgance. The songs that slay me are "Apres Moi" and "20 Years of Snow." The first song is just an A section followed by a B section, and it repeats over an over. The orchestration makes the song sound bigger and bigger without using too much instrumentation. The instruments keep changing and seem to morph into this huge wall of sound without actually being a huge wall of sound. The second song is brilliant. I can't even describe it. The melody is incredible and floats strangley over a flowing, harplike piano arrangement. I feel like this song highlights all the quirks I simply adored about Regina on "Soviet Kitsch." Definitely check her out. Also, even though it came out a while ago, I've been listening to Rufus Wainwright's "Want One" a lot. In particular I am in love with the song "Oh What a World." I always loved Rufus for his blend of classical with pop and showtunes. I think he's a beautiful composer. In "Oh What a World" he crafts the song around Ravel's "Bolero" which is an insane piece in and of itself. Check out both, actually - the Ravel first, then listen to Rufus. Maybe I just like it because I was psyched I recognized the Ravel piece. Oh, they keep me up at night, with my mute guitar in my fumbling fists unable to make anything. Soon, though.