Every so often, when the review list comes out and I glance down it, looking for something which sticks out and looks like it could sound interesting. Enter Russkaja, the “kings of turbo polka metal”. Hailing from Vienna and playing a rather insane sounding brand of music, the seven piece are set to release their fourth album “Peace, Love and Russian Roll”. With a love of insanity, big riffs and high energy, let’s see just what Russian Roll is all about.
From the off, this album is a lively one. Its 12 tracks packed with feel good music, an entertaining sound and an infectious ability to make you smirk like an idiot whilst listening to it. The opening track, “Rock ‘n Roll Today” has shades of Korpiklaani and Tanzwut to it with a real heavy ska undertone to it and it’s an insanely catchy number. “Hometown Polka”, “Lovegorod” and “You Are The Revolution” are other high energy tracks with a similar level of insanity and when listening to them, I couldn’t help but wonder if this is what Madness would sound like if given a dose of heavy metal and LSD.
From the slight mariachi styling’s of “El Pueblo Unido” to the folky feel of “Parachute” to the big dramatic stage musical styled “Let’s Die Together”, this album has it all. A variety of sounds and playing styles with one thing in common linking all the tracks – positive energy and the want for a good time. Even in the more emotional sounding track “There Was A Time” which is possibly the most serious sounding one on the album, you get that feel good vibe from it despite it being a sorrowful sounding track.
One criticism though is that despite this variety, it is all very similar sounding. Whilst there are some great guitar driven moments, the fact there is the heavy polka and ska influence often means this gets lost under the layers of horns and other brass instruments. There are moments when a dirty sounding guitar riff would fit perfectly but instead a tuba or some other instrument fills the gap instead. Still, despite the lack of guitar where it could add to the track, it’s a fun album and given the title, “Peace, Love and Russian Roll”, I do think it expresses that clearly through the music.
I’m not a fan of ska, I never will be, but this album despite being heavily drenched in it and inspired by that style of sound is a good record. It’s silly, it’s enjoyable and after a few beers you’ll find yourself caught up in it. Whilst its replayability factor may be low, the entertainment factor is high so the few listens you may give it will thoroughly amuse and satisfy you.
(6/10 Fraggle)
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