Mr Russia Reminds You Who's In Charge Here
Hips, keyboard dips & sexy beats for indie kids like us.
Mr Russia
Training For The Game Show Host
Released on Oct 06, 2009
Rattling you awake, Training for the Gameshow Host gives you a
solid blow to the brain with the opening to "Wooden Heart." The airy
keyboard licks punctuate the deadly swagger of an angry-sounding bass
as the lyrics roll easily and playfully above the beat. Off to an
excellent start, Mr Russia delivers a powerful blast of talent and
ingenuity straight to your eardrums. This record being the follow up EP
to their February debut on Lens Records, Teething, it seems like their
rigorus touring schedule has really kicked them into high gear. Ivan
(Vox/Bass), R.L. (Bass/Vox), Lindi (keys) and Anom (Drums) have really
polished and nailed down their sound with this effort. You may find
yourself asking: "Where the heck is the guitar?!" Well, quite simply
Ivan was "sick of playing under or behind guitars ... turned up to 11."
Even without the standard line-up the sound is solid and enjoyable.
Often spasmatic and prone to bouts of funky breakdowns, this EP left me
wanting more, in the best way possible. A mere whetting of one's aural
appetite, this record drips with potential.
While the opening track definetly lifts you up and sets you down,
it's followed by "It's true" which has a hook that sounds suspiciously
similar to another local act, We Make Thunder's song "Bizz Buzz."
Suspected similarities aside, the beat is poppy and a welcome treat
after the eerie (yet fun) tone of the previous song. The vocals are
cocksure and rapid-fire, it's clear that the Russians know who's boss.
It's them, they are the boss. An unrelenting bassline will have you
bobbing your head and singing along in no time, even if you dont know
the words. It's a feel-good dance song and they agree with you the
whole time, punctuating it finally with their own title.
Moving forward, the swinging slow tune by the name of "Fireball"
oozes sex & not in a way that makes you rush to the doctor, either.
This song appears to have been written, in it's entirety, from the
gyrating hips of the band members. I, true story, actually found myself
crotch-thrusting the air while listening to this track. I'm glad the
Transit Police didn't arrest me because I might have hit on one of
them. This jam is dangerously sexy, folks, as is the majority of this
album. You were warned. Finally, I'd like to mention the bold move they
took covering Radiohead's "The National Anthem." It takes major
chutzpah to attempt one of the greats and they pulled it off expertly,
like it was second skin. They confidently and effortlessly execute one
of the most recognizable songs of my youth. Skeptical at first, I was
completely won over. Closing out the EP with "Clap Clap Clap," a
reprise of Fireball & the title track "Training For the Gameshow
Host" Mr Russia does not want you to forget who's in charge of making
you want to dance.
High Point
Consistantly good songwriting and infectious beats make this a solid effort
Low Point
Left wanting more, there is only one other recording to turn to.
Posted by Ben Kessell on
Oct 15, 2009 @ 6:00 am
mr russia, review, lens records, ivan, we make thunder, radiohead, national anthem, cover
