Album Review: Svetlanas – This Is Moscow Not LA

Svetlanas have developed a reputation for being the most dangerous band in the world, and with good reason, they are considered enemies of the state in their native Russia, a status that has resulted in their exile in Milan, and anyone who has witnessed their confrontational live performances will testify that their reputation is more than deserved, now as they limber up for a fresh aural assault on the festival circuit Svetlanas have released their latest full length, This Is Moscow Not LA. There is also an added ingredient thrown into the mix as Svetlanas line up has now been bolstered by the inclusion of Nick Oliveri, a man who has his own hellraising reputation, and this should result in a match made in heaven… or hell, depending on your viewpoint.

This Is Moscow Not LA kicks off with an introduction to Putin On Da Hitz that is The Munsters by way of the of The Misfits, after this things kick spectacularly into life and from this point onwards you’d best buckle up. There are no brakes on This Is Moscow Not LA and for me this is an album that is the definition of defiant, hedonistic and destructive hardcore infused punk rock that proves that there is no one else out there quite like Svetlanas. Tell Me Why channels and amplifies the Dwarves, this is followed by Let’s Get Drunk and Vodka ‘N Roll that are a pair of full tilt tributes to the joy of getting trashed, throughout the album there are perfect moments of hyperactive punk rock in the form of Lose Control, Negative Approach and Put Your Middle Fingers Up. There is a tribute to the godfather of rock ‘n roll excess in the form of Speed Freak, a frantic rendition of Motorhead‘s ode to amphetamines that sounds as if it’s played on an overdose and Where Is My Borscht and People Suck are an intense closing duo that prove that all is not quiet on the Eastern front.