Collegiate Times

Jeff Tweedy of Wilco performs at a school benefit in Mountain View, Calif. His band recently released Wilco (the album).

Regina Spektor
Far
Sire Records
Rating: 4.25/5

The Russian-born classically trained piano-playing anti-folk songwriter returns with her most Spektor-esque album to date. 

Not only does she give us her own brand of wonderful melodies and arrangements with mouth filling vocals, but Mrs. Spektor gives us lyrics that carry emotional weight and wisdom while remaining youthful, a task not to be taken lightly. 

It's impossible to talk about this album, or Regina Spektor in general, without mentioning her voice.

 She commands an incredible amount of vocal control, and her rhythmic style of singing adds an entire new layer to the songs.

She does however cross over to her strange side from time to time (walrus noises in "Folding Chair" and her low-tone mechanical voice in "Machine"), but that's really just Regina Spektor being, well, Regina Spektor. 

If you love her already, you'll love this album.  If you're checking her out for the first time, you might try listening to some of the singles before delving deeper. 

Overall, this album is a strong addition to her already impressive repertoire.

Wilco
Wilco (the album)
Nonesuch
Rating : 4.75/5    

Wilco (the album), which opens up with Wilco (the song), by Wilco (the band), is a great collection of sing-alongs, head-bobbers, and toe-tappers.  This is, simply put, a very fun record to listen, air guitar, dance, or sing to. 

The Chicago-based group has honed its songwriting ability for its sixth album.  Each song keeps pulling you along into the next, hooking deeper and deeper along the way.  Feist even makes an appearance on the track "You and I," a perfect blend of the two voices. 

The lyrics on this album, while simple, really hit the spot. 

That, combined with the flow and swing of the whole thing, just works. 

While the band doesn't take any leaps or chances with this album, its easy going nature makes it perfect for hardcore Wilco-ers, Wilco (the fans), as well as any casual listener. 

I cannot think of any reason anyone would not like, nay, love this album unless they have a serious aversion to rocking out or having fun.