Lets Get Down, Russian Style!
Stephen E.P. | Houston, TX | 04/04/2001
(3 out of 5 stars)
"Having heard incredibly rave reviews of these guys' live show, it was with high hopes that I listened to this cd. Unfortunately, my hopes were qualmed by a pretty dull sound that comes out in the end. Take "Pilot John." A great song in essence, but lameass production really gets in the way. Like most songs on the album, it rough n' ready rock style, taking more than a slight nod from 70's classic rock, and having a feel reminiscent of wandering through the deserts of Southern California, would be better served with a more raw production to capture the spontaneous and in-you-face feel these guys are going for. And while guitar riffs are an obvious factor in which to find classic rock influences, so are lyrics. THese guess often talk about sexual themes in ways that can unfortunatly come accross as a little more detailed than needed and just not as cleverly subtle as such lyrics can be at their best. (Can we say Pearl Necklace anyone?) OK I'm being too serious for a freakin' Red Elvises review. So while this is a good and solid album, its just not as good as the bands reputation would have one expect."
Effectively Not Red Elvises
D. J. Peacock | 11/14/2004
(1 out of 5 stars)
"Quite simply, this is not really a Red Elvises album. It was an album written entirely by Zhenya Kolykhanv, who left the band shortly after to pursue other projects - and you can see why. The Red Elvises has always been about fun live rock and roll, and this is a mellow pop album.
Now that's not to say that this is bad music. But those who keep spamming the review form about how great this music is, and how horrible it is that the Elvises don't play it live, should check out Zhenyas new band Zeerok, and leave the Elvises to do what they do best."
C'mon people.... CHANGE ain't such a bad thing!
princess-natashenka | Drinking coffee in South Austin, TX | 05/26/2001
(4 out of 5 stars)
"OK. After having read the other reviews, I found myself compelled to offer another opinion. I am a bonafide 100% tried and true Red Elvises junkie, and have been for years. This being the case, I would like to offer the suggestion that simply because Zhenya's album doesn't sound like I Wanna See You Bellydance, this does NOT make it a candidate for the "never play this" portion of your music collection. Unlike the majority of the reviewers here, my friends and I really like this cd... a lot-- prefered it to Freakshow, even though we gleefully own both. Yes, "Bedroom" IS a departure from their usual style, but personal expression and creativity dictate that sometimes one must venture out and experiment with new sounds; that's what being an "artist" is all about-- playing with the new, not re-hashing the already familiar! My friends and I enjoy the variety of sounds and stylistic variation offered with this cd- and it's often in the cd player. And on a lighter note, "Who's Your Daddy" and "San Antone" are two wonderfully campy, rompin' stompin' fun songs that offer the same booty-shakin' opportunities as their other work, if people would just stop expecting the same old song and dance (literally) from the band. One has to think GLAM ROCK with this one more than BELLYDANCE, but I offer that it's equally fun if you have the right mindset. Having heard these songs performed live on several occasions now, they fit seamlessly into the high energy shows that the Elvises are known and loved for, despite the stylistic departure. My only real complaint about the album is that I could do without the voiceover portion of "Happy that I'm Straight." Other than that, this album is A-OK with me. If you don't like the record, that's fine, but don't condemn Zhenya's music simply because it doesn't sound like their earlier work. Have an open mind and listen to it as it's own thing, not as an extension of where they've been previously. If you still have trouble getting into this album, I bet a cowboy hat and some glittery platform boots would help you feel the Mr. Rock Star groove."