Begin To Hope

Today's Music That Jason Appreciates Even If He Doesn't Necessarily Love is Begin To Hope, by Regina Spektor. Now, I don't know that this album will ever make it into a regular playlist of mine. It's not exactly my type of music; I happen to think that if I brought it home, my White Stripes albums might beat it up, and my Dandy Warhols albums might get it high and try to have sex with it. But I do kind of like it.

It's mostly Spektor playing piano and singing upbeat pop music. This isn't your Beyonce-type pop music, or whatever the kids are listening to, but something a little more mature. Spektor's voice is wonderful; I assume that birds are silent and insecure when she sings. She has a real trademark warble, a lovely voice that makes me think of her as something of a happy Fiona Apple. (This is probably a good thing even though I adore Fiona Apple immensely.) Spektor is a fine piano player too, and she's only guilty of being too cute in one or two places on this album; even though it's bright music, it never quite ventures into Disney/musical territory. I can't really say this is workout music or party music or being depressed music, but it's hard to listen to this album and not be in a good mood, even if the songs aren't really about anything. (Neither are A.C. Newman's, and his music is always good with me.) So I guess this music is like someone who is just too nice for me to be genuinely close to, but definitely someone I could be friends with and appreciate.

On a related note, Regina Spektor is adorable.

In other news:
I thought about doing a 2007 year in review post and still might. But not today.