Mumiy Troll, one of the world`s most socially dangerous bands, has a new album out — examiner.com

Sneak Peek — Mumiy Troll, one of the world`s most socially dangerous bands, has a new album out

Where American artists might agonize over their sound, income, or how to achieve fame, Russian rock band Mumiy Troll had a lot more to worry about in the beginning. When Mumiy Troll first came into existence, Russia was still behind the Iron Curtain. Rock n` roll was considered a subversive activity. In fact, in the beginning, Mumiy Troll was banned by the local Communist Party Chief and labelled `one of the most socially dangerous bands in the world.`

It`s amazing to think this group came from struggling for the right to play their music to influencing Russian youth culture and style, to being voted `Best Band of the Millenium` by Russia. It`s quite a progression of events.

And now today, Mumiy Troll is for the first time, releasing an album in America. Their album is called «Comrade Ambassador.` It`s an all Russian rock album featuring surf guitar riffs, Russian lyrics, rock n` roll, and pop. Layered in with the music is Lagutenko`s harsh vocals, that sound nearly as though he is speaking the lyrics sometimes.

The songs don`t use hooks the way traditional American rock n` roll does, but that doesn`t much seem to matter. Mumiy Troll offers a complex sound that is similar to American rock or pop music, but with a Russian flavor. Band frontman Ilya Lagutenko calls the group`s music `rockapops.` It`s a term he made up to avoid having the Russian media debate `rock vs. pop.` His solution brings a smile to my face.

If you want a better idea of what rockapops is, I recommend picking up a copy of Comrade Ambassador. You can`t go wrong listening to the music of the group who coined the term! It is an intriguing listen for not only the excellent musicianship but the unique way the group uses different sound effects and singing styles to round out each track. My favorite track is `California Snitsa` which is `California Dreaming` entirely in Russian. If you want a quick sample of their music, do go to their website — they constantly stream their songs there — http://www.mumiytroll.com/en

Erikka Innes