The Russian Connection: Zemfira - Vendetta

Though deviating slightly from the electro theme, here's something that some may find to be worthy of a listen.

If the words "russian", "indie", "pop-rock" and/or "electronica" fail to excite you while used in the same sentence, read no further. If, however, you're feeling slightly more adventurous, I'm pleased to introduce you to a rather significant part of popular Russian culture - Zemfira.

A rather feisty and charismatic character, she and her band took over the popular scene in 2000, almost overnight, owing their success partly to Mumiy Troll, the U2 of "Russian rock" (who produced and promoted the debut album), but mostly to intensely powerful vocals, haunting presence on stage and original and poignant lyrics. Continuing the tradition of what is called "Russian rock" in her earlier albums, Zemfira happened to Russian music scene at the right time, being the first of the new wave of artists after a period of stagnant unproductivity and boredom in the country's global music business. The band's second album, Prosti Menia Moya Lubov' (Forgive Me My Love) almost instantly elevated Zemfira to the status of superstar in Russia and other CIS nations. Three albums followed in the next years, Spasibo (released in 2008) being the last (and the worst) of them. Conversely, Vendetta (artwork above), the release that preceded it, is considered hands-down the best the Russian frontlady ever came up with. This fundamental record finds her deviating from "Russian rock" into vague oddball electronica, with a surprising success rate.

Vendetta (2005) proves Zemfira a virtuoso lyricist: "Let/Me call you/So we can hear each other's silence" in "Samolety" personally made the album for me (needless to say, it sounds infinitely more elegant in Russian). Both emotional ("Blues") and sophisticated ("Progulka"), the record ends in beautiful simplicity of the piano-voice duo, minimalistically delivering "Beauty", the name truly capturing the nature of the track. Little else could be as oddly melodramatic as the words "It's so beautiful: it's raining and I'm alone/The sidewalk is covered with water bubbles/I don't know you anymore" - again, sounding infinitely more simplistic and poignant in Russian.

While it is true that it is harder to appreciate Zemfira's music without speaking her language, I believe she is still of interest to the Western listener, mainly due to the fact that the emotionality and melodic, often catchy, quality of most of the tunes on this record, as well as her powerfully beautiful voice are not contained by cultural bounds. Let the first track ("Nebomoreoblaka") not scare you, it all gets better from there. Hope you enjoy & till next time.

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Edit: a video for "Blues," one of the singles from Vendetta may be found here.