Review: Radio Moscow - s/t

Label: Alive Natural Sound Records

Released: February 27, 2007

Radio Moscow is a modern day power trio whose influence reaches back to the days when the sub-genre first reared its head with the likes of the Jimi Hendrix Experience and Cream. Radio Moscow don't ignore everything that's happened since the late 60s, but their influences don't stretch too far beyond that time.

The thick fuzzy sounds of Hendrix are the biggest influence on Radio Moscow's debut and like their mentor, they have that innate ability to really feel their music. They play as a band not as individuals. The vocals aren't superb, but they don't hold anything back either and while no one is a great technician, the songs' riffs and grooves are monsters. They also draw some of their fat guitar tone from early ZZ Top and Wishbone Ash (when both were good) and throw in some of the bluesy trippiness of LA Woman-ear Doors for good measure. The acoustic blues of "Lickskillet" is as good as anything this side of Zeppelin III. Radio Moscow also brings a bit of swing to their rock n roll swagger, giving the album very subtle hints of jazz. In general, Radio Moscow plays loosely, but hold everything together in a strong groove. But the album's finale, "Fuse," just rips loose and instead of drawing to a close, they explode! It makes the whole album seem like a live set rather than a studio album.

This is blues rock as it was meant to be played, not as it was watered down by the hairspray-conscious acts of the 80s. The production, courtesy of the Black Keys' Dan Auerbach, is deliberately raw and the album has a decidedly live energy. However, unlike a lot of lo-fi recordings, this one is masterfully done, rough but free of noisiness and clipping.

If this was Radio Moscow's third or fourth album, I'd still be impressed with both their energy and their execution, but this is the debut! It may be a revival, but it is most certainly worthy of the past into which it taps. It's down to earth approach makes it easily accessible for anyone who simply likes their rock n roll a little on the raw side.

Rating: 7/10

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