Russkaja are back in town, and despite carrying with them an album of ‘Peace’, it looks as though they are here to conquer! We review the new effort, ‘Peace, Love & Russian Roll‘.
[tracklist]
01. Rock’n Roll Today
02. Slap Your Face
03. Hometown Polka
04. There Was A Time
05. El Pueblo Unido
06. Lovegorod
07. Parachute
08. Let’s Die Together
09. Salty Rain
10. You Are The Revolution
11. Radio Song
12. Peace, Love And Russian Roll
[/tracklist]
[details]
[record_label]Napalm Records[/record_label]
[release_date]24th July 2015[/release_date]
[/details]
Russkaja have had an interesting journey into the world of metal. To this day one would not classify them in the metal genre if they were to hear them for the first time, but their spirit and energy throughout their discography and live performances have earned them the place of honorary metalheads. The self-proclaimed ‘Turbo-Polka’ maestros have released 3 highly energetic albums blending ska and rock with Russian hinges with lyrical themes that are feel-good and comical, but given the enormous success of their live performances over the years, it almost seemed the predecessor ‘Energia’ album was written for the live stage. Having said that, with a foothold in mainland Europe, Russkaja seem to be looking to conquer new plains with their succeeding effort ‘Peace, Love & Russian Roll’.
Opening with the track ‘Rock ‘n’ Roll Today’, it is evident the band are trying to win over new audiences. The trumpets are blaring amongst the speed with overlaying violins shredding – a very bombastic introduction to Russkaja for those who have not heard the band before. The theme is easily identifiable and being articulated in comic fashion by frontman Georgij Makazaria’s Russian accent, and ‘Peace, Love & Russian Roll’ has already become fun.
While the fun factor has always been a consistent element for Russkaja, those who have listened to the bands previous efforts will understand that this is the album the band are directing for more success with, as most lyrics on the album are in English as opposed to the predominately German / Russian lyrics on albums before. Within metal there is always that idea that bands who push their values to more commercial planes should be abandoned, but with Russkaja it is quite amazing how this works to their advantage.
Tracks like ‘Hometown Polka’ and ‘ El Pueblo Unido’ really bring out the diverse capabilities of the band and show some extraordinary musicianship, more so than the previous efforts, and that Russkaja are very much trying to prove their worth with this record building on top of the unique values they have already established with their existing fans.
Quite frankly ‘Peace, Love & Russian Roll’ is the first Russkaja album that can be listened to beginning to end without one finding too many similarities with any of the tracks. It’s fast, it’s fun, the lyrics are great, and the main point of it all being the musicianship is downright excellent. Whether it be the slow progression of the ska-based ‘Lovegorod’ or the speedy radio friendly ‘You Are The Revolution’, each track is something to enjoy.
Metal snob or not Russkaja have proved themselves with this one, and now are not short of any elements or values to carry them much further than before. It’s an album that can be mutually loved by metalheads, pop lovers and classical musicians a like – an album that sits right at the centre of a musical venn diagram. Hitting the nail on the head like that in a band like Russkaja is hard, but it’s difficult not to agree that it has been accomplished!
[verdict]Yes[/verdict]
[why]Russkaja keep the fun rolling with their new effort, and have outdone themselves this time with their musicianship. The band seem to be aiming to be on the higher tier of the music universe with ‘Peace, Love & Russian Roll’, and it would be hard to deny them their request.[/why]
