Reviews

Upon first pushing play on Forward Russia’s debut LP, Give Me a Wall, it sounds as if Frankie is returning to Hollywood for another go around.  However, after 40 seconds of a drowning time warp, things take a sharp turn into the spewing sounds of raucous guitar riffs and powerful, in-your-face vocals.  The album holds serve from this point forward and never lets up, pelting the listener like a stinging, driving rain from beginning to end.

The indie-rock group hails from Leeds, England, and they formed in 2004 when Tom Woodhead and Rob Canning, both from the now defunct The Black Helicopters, joined with siblings Katie Nicholls and Whiskas.  Forward Russia revels in its own lack of intuition.  At times garage metal, and other times synthetically popish, the group lacks a well-manicured flow, and in the end falls off the wall of good intentions and into a pit of inefficiency.

It doesn’t take much attention to realize that most of the guitar riffs and arrangements are near photocopies of anything found on any record by The Strokes, as many of Whiskas’ guitars riffs and arrangements are shadows of Nick Valensi and Albert Hammond.  Although the music at times sounds similar to The Strokes, Tom Woodhead’s voice, though strong and solid, is not as alluring as Casablancas’.  Most of the time Woodhead’s voice and vocal style do not fit with the arrangements and beats, thus creating an inextricable blend that is hard to swallow.

Promise is found in “Nineteen,” the highlight of the record, as the added synths breath a bit of 80’s pop into the song giving it more life and increased flow.  In addition, Woodhead tones down his vocals just enough to sound appealing.  Unfortunately, such instances are rare.

The record is another love/hate relationship, and its title seems to suggest the schism that it creates – listeners will line up on either side of the wall, loving it or hating it – with no in between and both sides equally filled.  If random screams by the vocalist, and chaotic, distorted, and at times confusing sounds are appealing, then this is a good record.  Otherwise, Give Me a Wall never reaches its intended height.