OT: Favorite music

Discussion in 'Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, & the former Soviet Repu' started by Zenit, Dec 16, 2007.

  1. Zenit Moderator

    Member Since:
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    FM and I tossed this idea around a few years ago, and I still think it is a worthy idea that maybe should be revisited, file sharing between the regulars here. My tastes run rather eclectic, I guess, since I can go from listening to Khandoshkin to The Clash within the space of 5 minutes. I hate all country music, all the crud that calls itself rap/gangsta (with the notable exceptions of Public Enemy and De La Soul, who were not only influential but actually had something poignant to say) and any of the bubble-gum Top 40 music one would find here in the US and in Russia (FWIW, Nashe Radio is the only station worth listening to in Russia IMHO.)

    So, list what you have/like to listen to and let's see if we can swap some stuff.

    I'll start with what I can never get tired of listening to:

    American/UK/EUR:
    1. The Pixies - My favorite band of all time, One of the few bands that never disappointed in concert, and weren't so overproduced in the studio so as to sound completely different when seen live. Their 2004 reunion tour kicked off in Minneapolis, it was by far the best rock concert I have ever seen. There's something to be said for a band when the frontman of Radiohead says "We stopped using guitars because we ran out of Pixies stuff to rip off."
    2. The Clash - Nothing more needs to be said about these fellas. Anyone who listens to their two best albums, "London Calling," and "Sandinista!" and who cannot appreciate both their poignancy and their contribution to the musical revolution that was punk/no wave/new wave/alt-rock...well, just give up on listening to rock music forever and take up knitting or something.
    3. The Replacements - No Minnesota bias here, these guys set up the whole Seattle grunge thing all by their lonesome. In the middle of the 80's new wave rage, The 'Mats were a fresh beacon of hope for true, unadulterated, wear your emotions on your sleeve rock & roll.
    4. Radiohead - although their recent releases may indicate that they might finally be getting a bit full of themselves, the early stuff, especially their seminal work "OK Computer" (IMHO, although a strong argument can also be made for "Pablo Honey" and "Hail to the Thief") will go down in history as one of the best rock albums ever made.
    5. (tie) Kraftwerk, Jean Michele Jarre - Anyone that thinks that electronica/techno-pop started in the US should listen to what these two pioneer acts were doing in the mid to late 70s. I was fortunate enough to find the entire J-M-J discography on ebay a few years ago for $40, rates as one of my bargain purchases of all time.

    Russian/Belarusian/Ukrainian:
    1. Agata Kristi - Say what you will about Grebenshikov, but these guys as far as I am concerned are the real legends/pioneers of Russian rock. They have by far passed the longevity/body of work test; I thought that "Триллер, Часть 1" was one of their finest efforts, and I will never forget screaming through the Lithuanian countryside on the way from Kaunas to Palanga with this disc playing at volume 10, again, and again, and again.
    2. Leningrad - just superbly fun to listen to. One may think Shnurov is rude, the boorish type - well, he is! That doesn't change the fact that this band has continually pushed the envelope and charted new territory at every given opportunity. Finally seeing Leningrad live in Chicago in 2004 was indescribable - the entire band was completely liquored up well in advance of the show, but took to the stage and drilled out a 2 hour set that was as tight as any I've ever seen. Hopefully the band will soon be planning a "2008 Victory Tour" in the US again soon, as has been rumored of a few Piter chatboards - Dima, you're not invited, you'd get your @SS kicked by the AFZ-Chicago dudes, apparently they are familiar with your body of work.
    3. DiDulYa - best guitarist since Joe Satriani - vastly underrated and unnoticed outside of Belarus & Russia. He tours a lot there, has never made a US tour - hopefully soon. I am planning my next trip to Minsk around his concert dates, would love to see him live, apparently he puts on quite the show.
    4. Chaif - probably don't deserve legend status, but just one of my personal favorites.
    5. DDT - what more needs to be said?
          
  2. Dimuha Member

    Member Since:
    Oct 18, 2007
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    I like mainly hip-hop and some rock.

    Hip Hop- Nas, Mobb Deep, Jay-Z, Biggy, Wu-Tang, etc.


    Rock- Led Zeppelin, Pearl Jam, Bush.

    Russian- Nothing really.
  3. Slitty Member

    Member Since:
    Apr 17, 2005
    Location:
    Russia
    I'll start by commenting on Zenit's taste:

    1. Pixies: Heard maybe one song in my entire life, didn't like it too much.
    2. The Clash: have "London Calling" on my player and absolutely love it. I was introduced to this song through it being featured in Trainspotting, and other than that, haven't heard any other work by the Clash.
    3. Replacements: Very limited exposure, and once again, didn't catch my attention.
    4. Radiohead: Absolutely excellent band! For some reason I don't listed to them much, but I think very highly of their music - especially the earlier stuff.
    5. (tie) Kraftwerk, Jean Michele Jarre: Not familiar at all with the latter. Know one song by the Kraftwerk, that being being "Popcorn" - which, amazingly enough, is very similar to a song featured in the episode of "Nu Pogodi!" where the wolf chases the rabbit around a construction site.

    1. Agata Kristi: Know the name, but can't attritbute a single song to it.
    2. Leningrad: Not a fan, most of their music is crap. The only songs by the band that I like are "Menya Zovut Shnur" and "Manager". Apart from that, I like the solo work Sergei Shnurov did for the movie Bumer 2... "Ya Svoboden" and "Lyubov i Bol'" are two excellent songs.
    3. DiDulYa: Don't know 'em.
    4. Chaif: Can only think of one of their songs, which, at that, was done in conjunction with another band.
    5. DDT - Unfamiliar.
  4. Zenit Moderator

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    Therein lies the generation gap, Slitty. Young Russians now listening to rock on the radio are probably very similar as far as not knowing what they owe their rock scene to, bands like DDT, Kino, and Agata Kristi.

    I in no way intend this as a slam, Slitty, so please don't take it that way - but are you saying you are not familiar with at least ONE song of DDT? Or Agata Kristi? (C'mon, think about the soundtrack for "Brat 2.")
  5. Zenit Moderator

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    Go figure!
  6. Zenit Moderator

    Member Since:
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    2. Bite your tongue, what you speak of is nothing less than heresy! They might be the last original band in Russia these days. Get a gmail account, PM me your gmail address, I will guarantee I will change your mind about Leningrad.
    3. DiDyulYa - see above. His albums "Doroga v Bagdad," "Legendi," & "Flamenco" are all great stuff. You can try a few snippets of his works on russiandvd.com here: http://www.russiandvd.com/store/person.asp?type=artist&id=2472


  7. Slitty Member

    Member Since:
    Apr 17, 2005
    Location:
    Russia
    I'll start with my favourites in Russian music as it is easier to narrow them down to a top five. My musical taste is also quite varied as most of my collection consists of just one or two really good songs from any particular artist. This list is simply the artists I devote more time to through having a greater portion of their work in my collection:

    1. Kino: I absolutely love every single song! Definitely the best of the early Russian rock bands that surfaced in the 1980s. Its actually rather strange: Viktor Tsoi isn't gifted with a particularly exceptional singing voice, most of the melodies that accompany their songs are beyond simple, and yet the final product is great. The amount of meaning and heart poured into every single song is phenomenal.

    2. Bi-2: As with Kino, a prevalence heavy yet slow rock in their work that I muchly enjoy. Quality is dispersed throughout and practically every song is remarkable. As far as I'm concerned, best active band on the Russian music scene.

    3. 5'NIZZA: Not that they have much competition, but the undisputed indie kings of Russian reggae. Very unique acoustic style with just phenomenal vocals by Andrei "Sun" Zaporozhets. And just how many bands originally out of the Ukraine have the national anthem of the USSR as one of their go to songs? Its too bad that the duo split has recently split. :(

    4. Lyube: As Russian as music can get.

    5: Kasta/U.G./Triada: My favourite names in Russian rap. And no, I don't mean the wannabe gangsta rappers like Timati. Uniquely Russian rap, the way it should be, and the way it should remain.
  8. Dimuha Member

    Member Since:
    Oct 18, 2007
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    :confused:

    I don't know any Russian-Americans my age who listen to Russian music. And by Russian Americans I mean people who's been here since 4-8 years of age.
  9. Slitty Member

    Member Since:
    Apr 17, 2005
    Location:
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    Glad (figuratively speaking) to make your acquaintance.
  10. Slitty Member

    Member Since:
    Apr 17, 2005
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    As I said, I know the name but can't link it up to any particular song. Yes, I've certainly heard "Sekret" - its an okay song but nothing overly special. I will, however, admit that Vadim Samoilov's solo "Nikogda" on that soundtrack is absolutely brilliant and takes precedent over even Bi-2's contribution.
  11. Zenit Moderator

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    Re: Kino, as much as I would say I appreciated their body of work, I never really thought much of their music until I acquired a tribute album of Kino covers by various artists. http://www.russiandvd.com/store/product.asp?sku=23586&genreid= & http://www.russiandvd.com/store/product.asp?sku=23856&genreid=

    I'll send you any tracks that you may wish, just let me know.
  12. Slitty Member

    Member Since:
    Apr 17, 2005
    Location:
    Russia
    Russian Rap 101 for Zenit:

    [youtube]sTM58GdLQyk[/youtube]
    [youtube]DJFioK8LGg8[/youtube]
    [youtube]xBizru4q0jM[/youtube]
    [youtube]2mbMV7nfMNY[/youtube]
    [youtube]c_IDe9D3sGE[/youtube]
    [youtube]0MArxfrdEes[/youtube]
    [youtube]7XD3BUH9hyY[/youtube]
    [youtube]VPNTeXWl_ik[/youtube]
    [youtube]mosw--km6G4[/youtube]
    [youtube]q6_IHfwoItc[/youtube]
  13. Zenit Moderator

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    Thanks, but I'll pass. Less interesting than the original stuff here, which IMHO was never all that interesting to begin with.
  14. Forza Moskva New Member

    Member Since:
    Sep 20, 2004
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    Mila Kunis' Crib
    Pixies are alright, I really like Where is my mind by them, probably because Fincher used it in Fight Club.

    I mostly listen to Rock/Rap

    Rock - Rage against the machine, tool, queen, beastie boys, zepellin, maroon 5, rhcp, muse, etc etc

    rap - mostly jay-z
  15. Zenit Moderator

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    Ahh, how could I forget about the Beastie Boys? Not really rap, not really rock, but always entertaining, experimental, and poignant. Of their many worthy works, "Paul's Boutique" remains my favorite.
  16. Dimuha Member

    Member Since:
    Oct 18, 2007
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    Zenit, do you listen to rap at all?
  17. Zenit Moderator

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    Generally, no, because I cannot stand it for more than 15 seconds (the early work of Public Enemy, Sugar Hill Gang & Grandmaster Flash, NWA, De La Soul and the Beasties being notable exceptions.)

    American thug/gangsta rap, in its current state is a sad excuse for music, and I find the French and Russian mimic acts even more pathetic.
  18. Slitty Member

    Member Since:
    Apr 17, 2005
    Location:
    Russia
    What are you talking about? How is any single song included in the Russian Rap 101 curriculum at all reminiscent of American bling-bling gangsta rap? That's the whole point, there are still the raw elements in Russian rap that are still about the music with some sort of semblance to a meaningful message conveyed through it. Then again, if you want a Russian version of a 50 Cent knockoff, that is availble as well:

    [youtube]oSnGghqRlUs[/youtube]
    [youtube]mhGDXUBu1dk[/youtube]
  19. Forza Moskva New Member

    Member Since:
    Sep 20, 2004
    Location:
    Mila Kunis' Crib
    Wow thats so bad, atleast 50 cent is catchy and gets the b1tches crunk nahmean
  20. loden Member

    Member Since:
    Jan 2, 2005
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    Forest Hills, NY
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    LOL. Where did you find that shit slitty? I couldn't stop laughing...

    I'm gonna do a rap video of my own

    Krasotki v minimalnix platiyax lol
  21. yasik19 Moderator

    Member Since:
    Oct 21, 2004
    Location:
    Daly City
    I mostly listen to Russian music.

    The only American music I listen to is either rock or alternative. Green Day, Cranberries, Tom Petty, Van Halen..........mostly older stuff.

    I love listening to Vysotskiy, Rozenbaum and Okudjava on a daily basis. I will say I also like Russia "Estradnaya" music of the 80s, like Pugachixa, Leontiev, Rotaru, etc.....I really enjoy Lube, Chizh, Agata Kristi and Nautilus.

    Can listen to Kino any day of the week.
  22. goliath74 Member

    Member Since:
    May 24, 2006
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    Aventura, FL, United States
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    FC Dynamo Kyiv
    Country:
    Ukraine
    Western Music -

    1. Metalica
    2. AC/DC
    3. Rush
    4. Ozzy Osbourne
    5. J.S. Bach
    6. Rammstein
    7. Accept
    8. Scorpions
    9. Def Leppard
    10. Aerosmith

    CIS/Soviet Music -
    1. DDT
    2. Kino
    3. Nautilus Pompilius
    4. Mashina Vremeni
    5. Zemlyane


    Public service announcement: RAP = GARBAGE
  23. Zenit Moderator

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    Couldn't agree more, in any language.
  24. Dimuha Member

    Member Since:
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    Depends on what rap you listen to. Commercial rap is garbage, but there is some good stuff if you look hard enough. 94 to 97 was rap's golden age.
  25. loden Member

    Member Since:
    Jan 2, 2005
    Location:
    Forest Hills, NY
    Club:
    FC Dynamo Kyiv
    wow goliath i love matalika too, man. i grew up on that shit.

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