They call themselves the bastard offspring of Iggy Pop and The White Stripes. Since I have lived in Michigan my whole life, this is a statement they had better be able to back up! Well, sorry to say they do not quite fill the bill.
With a unique line-up that includes two bass guitars, drums and synthesizer, Mr Russia and its minimalistic approach may have some appeal. Also, their punkish lyrics are quite funny at times, but overall there isn't enough here to keep you wide awake and alert for the whole disc.
For brief flashes such as the song "Pretty Girls" the band brings back the raw imaginative days of punk heyday but they are just too few and far between. The song "Damage" is another example of what they can accomplish when all the planets are aligned right as this song is a terrific bit of snarl and attitude. The song "Skipping Hearts" also has the kind of appeal that will make for some radio airplay. I only wish they could maintain it throughout the disc.
The band has a great idea and I will look to see what they do in the future. This first offering has the promise of good things but they seem like a band that needs to find their own identity instead of trying to copy those of their predecessors.
Track listing:
1. XOXO
2. It's True
3. Skipping Hearts
4. The New Standard
5. Sneaking Cigarettes
6. 'flow'
7. Pretty Girls
8. Wild World
9. Damage
10. Harding's Tale
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