Review: The Band Lyube

Subject: Review: The Band Lyube
From: GUEST,Volgadon
Date: 17 Dec 07 - 10:40 PM

I think this band makes an outstanding introduction to Russian music. Although a pop group, they draw much of their inspiration and style from traditional Russian music. Accordion and guitar are the driving instruments. The singer's voice is very clear, which was a real help learning Russian.
Their best album is probably their most recent one, "Rasseya" (an archaic term for Russia), from 2005. I'm not keen on their hard rock version of the national anthem, but every other track is a winner. The album has a nostalgic, 1910ish feel about it. Goes great with a glass of cold kvass.
The first song "Ot Volgy do Yeniseya" (from the Volga to the Enisey) is a rousing number about wandering the Russian countryside.
"Russkiye" (Russians) is a conversation between a boy and his grandfather about the tragedy of the civil war.
"Batka Makhno" as the name implies, is about the the legendary Ukranian anarchist.
"Yasniy Sokol" (the Bright Hawk). A haunting song about being far from home. The road is my brother, fate- my sister.
"Sestra" (Nurse) is a setting to music of some WWI poetry about a wounded soldier.
"Moy Kon" (My steed) is a sad ballad about a soldier's horse.
"Nye Smotri na Chasy" (Don't glance at the clock) has a train's crew longing for the simple, country life.
"Pa Vysokoy Travye" (Along the tall grass). A tribute to group , an anti-terrorist unit, but it's really far more universal, about returning home after years of service.
"Mnogaya Lyeta Russkoy Zemlye". Hard to describe this song, except to say that the arrangement is meant to conjure up 3 different stages in Russian history: Medieval, using bells and the like, Imperial, by grand fanfares, and modern, with an electric guitar riff.
Skipping the anthem, we come to "Beryozy" (Birches). Birches are one of the traditional images of Russia. A beautiful song. Period.
My favourite of theirs, "Ty Nyesi Menya, Reka" (Carry me, river) isn't on this album, but you can listen to it on their Myspace. It's the bottom song.    http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=47694274

Another outstanding song is "Kon" (Steed), a modern song, but is accompanied by a traditional Russian male choir. Don't get me wrong, I love Welsh choirs, but the Russians can give them a run for their money.
Kon

Yasniy Sokol

Beryozy