Both of these singer-songwriters were born abroad, and funky English pronunciation is part of their appeal. Israeli-born, French raised Ann chirps her delicate songs with nary a hard consonant, as if she knows the tiniest affricative could ruin everything. The Russian-born Spektor is harder, kookier; she crams syllables into her mouth like un-lit cigarettes, rolling them around until she decides to fire them up all at once. Her voice isn't quite as gorgeous, but her songs are riveting.
Best Tracks: (Keren Ann) Not Going Anywhere, Road Bin
(Regina Spektor) Ode to Divorce, Poor Little Rich Boy
Come fly with us, and Leo, through the best (and worst) of 2004. Tops in the cinema this year include Scorsese's Howard Hughes biopic The Aviator. Elsewhere, Deadwood was good TV, and a Strange tale fascinated readers.