#6: Regina Spektor - Far

Regina Spektor has been a musician for most of her life - from humble beginnings in Moscow as a young child, to finding a piano in the basement of her synagogue after moving to New York, to now releasing her fifth full length album. Spektor creates music that is diverse, combining elements of classical, folk, hip-hop, jazz, rock and punk - and on Far, there is no exception to this rule.

For her songwriting she draws heavily on her Jewish and Russian roots, with each song almost telling a story in and of itself. She has stated, however, that her songs are merely out of her imagination with no connection to real or actual events in her life. This fact is only a further testament to the creativity exhibited in her writing.

On Far, Spektor's 3rd album for Warner Brothers' Sire Records imprint, her music and her lyrics again come together to form an experience all their own. From her use of the glottal stop on "Folding Chair" to the incredibly sadness of the story unfolded in "Genius Next Door" to her subtle (or not so subtle) commentary on our perspective of God on "Laughing With", Regina Spektor has created a masterpiece.

Far - Regina Spektor

#7: Roman Candle - Oh Tall Tree in the Ear

Okay, so I realize it is already day 3 of 2010 so I need to get these posts finished!

As our second band hailing from North Carolina, Roman Candle - although they now call Nashville, TN home - Roman Candle is made up of the Matheny family (brothers and sister): Skip, Logan and Timshel. From their days at UNC - Chapel Hill, the group has been making music that is both quirky and fun.

After making a foray onto the major label scene with their debut album - first it was recorded by Hollywood Records, shelved, then bought by V2 Records - Roman Candle is back on an independent label, Carnival Recording Company out of Nashville, and while they faced a challenge to follow up the amazing The Wee Hours Revue, they have kept true to their form on this new album.

Oh Tall Tree In The Ear - Roma...