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An awesome and ridiculous film that leaves you thrilled beyond the point of your natural endurance
2012
Theatre
The show has suddenly become quite wonderful, and the galvanising factor is the terrific stage debut of Melanie C
Blood Brothers
Music
The British pop music industry may be eating itself but if Muse are the pick of what it can offer the world in 2010 then British music is in rude health indeed
Muse
I was smitten by both Gilberts enormous luxuriant moustache and the intelligence and nuance of this highly entertaining play
I totally recommend Babbo to anyone who is looking for really good and traditional Italian food
Always been a fan but never seen them live. I was ecstatic to be part of this epic event. WOW!
London,
John Aizlewood's rating
Reader rating
Description: The New York singer-songwriter headlines a Shockwaves NME Awards show with support from the Swedish girl-fronted cutie-pop band.
Phone: 0905020 3999
Website: www.shepherds-bush-empire.co.uk
Email: mail@shepherds-bush-empire.co.uk
Trains: Tube: Shepherd's Bush 
, Tube / Bus: 49, 72, 94, 95, 148, 207, 220, 237, 260, 283, 272, 295, 607 
Extra info: Pub
Compulsively watchable: Regina Spektor played her enthralling set entirely solo
There are few quite so sane as the self-consciously bonkers. Hence Regina Spektor, the Brooklyn-based, classically trained Jewish émigré whose family fled the Soviet Union for the Brooklyn when she was nine.
After being mentored by The Strokes, she became the darling of what remains of New York's bohemian cafe-society. Part Tori Amos, part Fiona Apple, part Ani DiFranco and part something wholly original, Spektor now has a major label deal, a cult following and Begin To Hope, an outstanding, richly layered new album which, all things being equal, should ease her path to the mainstream.
With a bra strap down to her elbow, her Crystal Tips hair (it's 2006: de-frizzer is widely available) and the sort of white tights sold only to customers who aspire to kookiness, she looked a slightly ravaged mess. She played the ditzy card occasionally: cute little waves at the end of songs; a passive-aggressive manner with hecklers - "Oh I can't hear you up here" - and a little knowing introspection: "I'm trying to form an opinion as to whether I come over as an asshole on stage."
Mercifully, though, she mostly played it straight and, with songs so uniformly strong, less proved to be much more. Wholly solo, playing either piano or Billy Bragg-esque guitar or, on Poor Little Rich Boy, hitting a chair with a stick while singing and playing piano, she was a compelling performer; wry, funny, powerful and compulsively watchable, even when the MOR epic, Field Below, almost sailed into Bridge Over Troubled Water.
Spektor could amuse, chiefly on The Ghost Of Corporate Future (a cautionary tale of a man "who never made his wife moan ") and the tub-thumping Us.
Her occasional heart of darkness meant she could threaten, especially on the Brechtian Après Moi, but she could also move. On disc, the heart-lifting, achingly beautiful Fidelity warrants elevation to modern-day standard status; live, Spektor gave it another layer of loveliness. Summer In The City exuded the rawness of solitude, despite its "cleavage, cleavage, cleavage" refrain.
Right now, the last thing we need is another facsimile singer-songwriter. That's exactly why we need Regina Spektor. Lily Allen for adults.
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I might be a little bit in love with Miss Spektor. Her songs are so beautiful sculpted that many sound like fully fledged film-scores (indeed many have been used as 'mood-music' in popular TV shows across the water) and tell such imaginative, often dark tales that I found myself under her spell within minutes. Her vocal range is reminiscent of Bjork in many ways, with poetic lyricism on apar with Kate Bush, Adam Duritz et al. Yes, she is probably is as bonkers as a box of frogs but I find that quality loveable and inspiration in the context of her magnificent, outstanding songs.
- Faye Donnelly, Brighton, UK
Because of her non-conforming attitude, she has a 'Kitsch' that was previously non-existent. For that reason, I love her music, it has a bizarre sophistication, and a beautifully creative production.
- Rt, Devon, UK
Regina is absoutely mad and she thinks she's Kate Bush. I've seen her once and I won't see her again. Some girls manage to do the kooky thing well apparently, but I've never seen it. All I want to do when I listen to her sing is rip her hair out - she's just so 'bonkers, man'. Well, I don't buy it. She sounds like what I would imagine a dying parrot would sound like when it tries to sing it's final death song.
- Millie, Dulwich
Inspired by this review, I've just been out to the local Virgin to listen to Regina Spektor's latest album, Begin To Hope. Took me about five minutes to decide - and needless to say I splashed the cash and bought a copy. I am currently enjoying listening to the woman herself on my headphones.
Admittedly, yhe lyrics are a bit bonkers, but the girl can really write a solid tune and her delivery is exquisite. The reviewer has it spot on: if you want something fresh, and a bit more grown-up than Lily Allen, look no further...
- Justin, Walthamstow, UK
