| Product: |
200 Km/h In The Wrong Lane - T.A.T.U. |
| Date: |
17/02/03 (319 review reads) |
| Rating: |
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Advantages: superb pop songs, a perfect way to learn Russian!, video extra
Disadvantages: bit short at 8 tracks
OK, let's do a Delia? What do you get when you take two teenage Russian girls, marinade them in pseudo-lesbianism, add a pinch of Trevor Horn and deep-fry them in controversy? The answer is t-A-T-u, surely the most controversial thing to come out of Russia since Perestroika.
Lena Katina and Julia Volkova, believed to be in their late teens, have become million-selling artists all over the world thanks to their catchy pop sound that carries more depth and originality than the bland bubblegum of their British contemporaries. However, it is their relationship with each other that has caused the tabloids to explode in a sea of rage.
Whilst being self-confessed lesbians, it has been pondered whether they are for real, or have been packaged together by their svengali manager to titillate the male population with their near-underage carnal activities. All of this controversy has inevitably helped their debut single, 'All The Things She Said' become one of the few songs in recent years to spend three weeks at the top of the chart. However, it has also seemed to turned the debate towards their image and away from their own brand of pop music, which can be heard on '200 Km/h In The Wrong Lane'.
The album opens up with the stomper 'Not Gonna Get Us'. Like much of their music, the backing beats are frantic, and their vocals raw and underdeveloped. Their heavily-accented, chipmunk-like voices sound passionate and desperate in equal measures, giving them character. However, it's the production of Trevor Horn (he responsible for 'Video Killed The Radio Star' amongst other classics) that gives the song its likeable sheen. All about their (real?) love for each other, and longing to break away, it sets the benchmark for the breakneck speed that the album passes by in.
'All The Things She Said' is simply put, a classic pop song. Having been a Number One in most European countries in 2002, the
only thing that's surprising about its success this side of the Channel is that it's taken so long. Whilst the accompanying video of the girls canoodling won them fans and critics in equal measures. Whether you disagree with their image or not, the song has instant appeal with its catchy-as-a-cold chorus and expressive verses.
The third track, 'Show Me Love' begins in a slower vein, before the rockier chorus kicks in. Once again, it is the production that makes it truly something special, and this one is sure to become a smash hit if it gets released as a single.
'30 Minutes' introduction features some octaves that Mariah Carey on helium would struggle to reach. Slower than every other song on here, and a tad shorter, it is more of an interlude than an actual song, and isn't the best thing on here. However, it leads on to the one of the album's undoubted highlights. Covering any song by The Smiths is always going to be dangerous. However, the angsty 'How Soon Is Now?' acts as a perfect canvas for Julia and Lena to work with. Adding a new dimension to the song rather than detracting from the original, it is surprisingly effective, and extremely sharp. Because it's the B-side to 'All The Things She Said', it is unlikely to be single. However, if it ever does come out on its own, it's another chart-topper for sure...
More teenage, er, self-expression comes in the form of 'Clowns (Can You See Me Now?). Featuring their characteristic wail, it is set against a pumping electro-rock backing, with even a few classical ingredients thrown into the mix. Quite what clowns have got to do with it though, I'm not sure...
One of the most interesting songs on '200 Km/h...' is 'Malchik Gay'. Featuring a highly unusual guitar sound, its zippy production make it instantly catchy, even if the girls get a touch of the Mariahs and try to out-screech each other a
tad too much.
It's at this point in the album that words become difficult. No, not because the songs are so good that letters can't do them justice, it's just that Russian isn't my forte... 'Stars' is a Russlish ditty that sees the duo try out some bilinguality. Taking the tempo down a little bit, it is another heartfelt track about longing, and features some ethnic sounds that seem divorced from the Western-styles of the rest of the album, before one of the girls launches a Slavic rap.
Next up comes the Russian version of 'All The Things She Said', or 'Ya Shola S Uma'. This original is just as good as the English version, and has the added charm in that you end up singing along to it, despite not having a clue what on earth the correct words are? Equally, 'Nas Ne Dagoniat', the other incarnation of 'Not Gonna Get Us', and is intriguing.
The album's closer is a beefed-up extended version of 'Show Me Love', although it's addition is a bonus rather than adding any great value onto the CD.
At just 8 proper tracks, 2 Russian language remixes and one extended version, it is quite skimpy for an album. However, it does come with the video to 'All The Things She Said', as well as some behind the scenes footage - not bad for an extra, but a few more tracks would probably have been more gratefully received.
Despite its minimalism, t-A-T-u's English debut (they've had loads of other long-players under their belts over in Russia) is still a triumph. No real weak areas, and it is a breath of fresh air on a stale pop scene. Whilst they're being dismissed as one hit wonders at the moment, this is sure to end up as one of the biggest selling albums of the year for sure.
Arguably the key figure in all of this is Trevor Horn, who's interesting arrangements and production add a touch of class. Both retro and modern-soundin
g at the same time, '200 Km/h In The Wrong Lane' is thankfully without the bling-bling and Cristal reference that plague UK and US pop and manages to stay clear of sub-Britney saccharine ballads at the same time.
A bargainous £7.99 (delivery included) with play.com, it's highly recommended to anyone who wants to see beyond the hype and into the music...
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delawney - 17/03/03 Smashing op ;)
I agree it's a good album, but could do with a few extra tracks! Certainly benefits from the Trevor Horn sound ;) |
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