Leningrad
For Millions

LA RECENSIONE

Bound in the majestic Soviet Union, pointed at by the right-minded and sanctified by the subversives, the Leningrad are prisoners of their nonconformist lifestyle; from St. Petersburg, they contaminate ska with the gypsy punk of Gogol Bordello, crudely vulgarizing the lyrics in their mother tongue. Led by the charismatic Sergey Shnurov, they put burning coals under melodies that make you dance, sing, go wild, and above all, have fun.

The bass of "Menya Zovut Shnur" is a spiral staircase that drags you onto the stage, and the trumpets of "May" and the gypsy drunk "Razpizdyay" intoxicate you; in "Khuyanya", the singing is tipsy and swaying, introducing the typical Russian dance, with the rhythm urging and speeding up in a final frenzy.

In "Menedzher", a female backing vocal brings a welcome velvety aroma to the alcoholic miasma pervading the album that sets sail in the typical stadium chants of "Ole-Ole". "K Tebe Begu" is a reggae ska song, as enjoyable as an ice-cold vodka under Jamaican palms, protected from the sun by an enormous ushanka.

"Khuyamba" is a gem, gypsy ska in pursuit to the cry of "magic people voodoo people," while the rhythms become more relaxed in "Nou Nou Fyuche", a sort of Soviet version of Inspector Gadget and in the dub "Papa Byl Prav", full of pompous bass, furrowed voice, and appealing atmospheres.

In "Babu Budu" you can hear Tom Waits; the pirate accordion takes you to the Volga, where a shameless crew marks the times, and Captain Sergey sprinkles Grog on their drenched heads.

A group to know, possess and enjoy, to learn to make Cyrillic your own language, not to fear the harsh Siberian temperatures and to drink lots of vodka.