Regina Spektor: What we saw from the cheap seats

[noddin0ff]

Got my CD the other day and was really enjoying it in the background. It's a really nice album.




But then I sat down and gave it a solid listen on my headphones and OUCH. I'm not the best expert on these things, but the mastering sounds terrible. This should be a liquidy and dynamic album but instead parts sound like grinding fine glass in the background.

I pulled out Audacity and took a look. Yep. they blew it out. Pretty much ruined much of the album. Not everything, the quieter parts fare OK. But enough to drop the enjoyment quotient.

Sad.

[Finch Platte]

I saw her on one of the late night shows, and it was terrible. She was trying to be Madonna, I think.

[Davey]

I know what you mean. I was looking forward to the new Carina Round Tigermending, but same thing, really in your face. They do have it available on much more costly vinyl, but no guarantee it's much better...


foobar2000 1.1.8 / Dynamic Range Meter 1.1.1
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Analyzed: Carina Round / Tigermending
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DR Peak RMS Duration Track
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DR7 -0.27 dB -9.06 dB 3:15 01-Pick Up The Phone
DR5 -0.01 dB -8.06 dB 4:51 02-The Last Time (Feat. Sierra Swan)
DR6 -0.01 dB -8.27 dB 4:33 03-Girl and the Ghost
DR6 -0.01 dB -8.93 dB 4:20 04-You and Me
DR6 -0.15 dB -8.57 dB 4:48 05-Set Fire
DR5 -0.17 dB -7.97 dB 5:22 06-You Will Be Loved
DR6 -0.18 dB -8.28 dB 3:47 07-Marcel Marcel - The Arrangement
DR5 -0.01 dB -8.28 dB 5:01 08-Weird Dream
DR6 -0.01 dB -8.58 dB 4:09 09-Mother's Pride
DR5 -0.26 dB -9.49 dB 4:43 10-The Secret of Drowning
DR7 -0.41 dB -11.85 dB 3:16 11-Simplicity Hurts
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Number of tracks: 11
Official DR value: DR6

Samplerate: 44100 Hz
Channels: 2
Bits per sample: 16
Bitrate: 639 kbps
Codec: FLAC


[BarryL]

Regina is pretty far out there, and I was worried that this one would only have a couple of good tracks. She's a bit of an acquired taste, but does have a unique perspective which makes her songs interesting.

I bought it on the strength of All The Rowboats which I first heard on NPR: All Songs Considered, and thought was brilliant.

After a few spins, I think there's enough good material to justify the purchase, but it basks in its own weirdness. Also goes to show you that you don't need a great voice to have a career in music.