Most chuffed to see young Leeds tykes Forward Russia stamping around the top
40 recently. One of the edgier, hard working local acts to have cropped up in
recent years, this four piece have a girl drummer who is incredibly deft & rhythmically
astute, an insane singer who sounds like he's got a remarkable range & some
real passion, a buzzsaw guitarist who looks more dangerous than his cuddly
demeanor would suggest & some utterly smashing tunes. (Sorry I left out the floppy haired bass player, they always get a raw
deal.) Busting with energy
& off kilter melodies, they're kinda like a more deranged Bloc Party meets
At The Drive In with some mid 80's agit pop sensibilities ala Big Flame. All the
songs are numbers (for surely we're all but a number??) ,the production is
streamlined & simple, the songs retaining a direct, spindly &
uncluttered air of timelessness, regardless of their multi leveled complexity
& alarming twists & turns. Truly art meets pop. I feel these guys 'n'
gal will transcend the rotting cloud of new wave copyists through sheer DIY doggedness
& a mutual urge to be up there with their heroes. Delighted to give them my
record of the week. CD/LP on their own Dance To The Radio label, a
shining example of
independence + integrity = success.
