I never gave Regina Spektor much of a chance. It was 2003, and The Strokes were setting the Madison Square Garden Theatre on-fire as the opening act, Kings of Leon, took notes backstage. Rock 'n roll was happening, and it was too much fun to try and read into it much. It felt better just to tense up my muscles like I was about to break something, but in a good way. The rhythm guitar became my body rhythm, and it was ok to scream at the top of my lungs.
For these reasons, it was the absolute wrong time to introduce unknown Regina Spektor, but Julian Casablancas did it anyway. He must have known there was something special about her. There is no other reason he would bring her out for a nervous duet of "Post Modern Girls." It was a strange, melodramatic finish to an otherwise exhilarating performance.
Fast forward almost an entire decade, and any self-respecting fan of modern music owns at least two Regina Spektor albums. As I listen to "Eet," my very favorite track off of Regina's "Far" album, I am reminded not to form impressions too quickly. Cheers to Regina.
