Album of the Day

Born in Moscow, Regina Spektor was already a promising classical pianist when she emigrated to the Bronx with her family at age nine. Quickly absorbing more contemporary influences and taking up songwriting, by 2001 she was a performer on the rise in New York’s anti-folk scene, issuing her own CDs beginning with 11:11. Eventually released by Sire after the singer had signed to the label, this striking debut reveals a stronger jazz influence than her later work but the talent is obvious on these dozen originals. With a bassist and percussionist complementing her piano and guitar, Spektor deftly balances darker and lighter moods on such highlights as opener “Love Affair,” “Pavlov's Daughter” and “2.99¢ Blues.” If such later successes as Begin To Hope piqued your curiosity about this artist, 11:11 will not disappoint.