Volga
Pomol
Lumberton Trading Co 2007

01. Reapers
02. Corn
03. Pomol
04. Sonnaja
05. Kozel
06. Detinushki
07. Svaha
08. Tausen
09. Volga Mother
10. Rubaha
11. Kruchu
12. Ropers
13. Sufi

Moscow-based quartet Volga finely balance archaic overtones sourced from traditional Russian folklore and hypnotic rhythms with modern textures expressed through dense post-industrial electronics and processed acoustic instruments. This singular outlook gives the band a totally unique sound as they link past and present together with oriental and occidental musical forms. Formed in the later part of the nineties, Volga released their eponymous debut album in 1999, and have since delivered three others, plus a number of live recordings and remix projects.

The voice of lead singer Anjela Manukian evokes the soft tones of Kate Bush and the many incarnations of Liz Fraser or Lisa Gerrard, yet there is a particular grain in her voice that is reminiscent of the spellbinding power of Le Mystère des Voix Bulgares. Tearing through hypnotic percussions and post-industrial electronic experimentations, she apposes ancient Russian texts, sung in a variety of dialects, that she has collected during years of researching Russian folklore. She is backed by multi-instrumentists Alexei Borisov, Roman Lebedev and Uri Balashov. -London Milk

>> mfire / sspace (80mb)
>> love it, buy it (Norman)

What to say... This is a band that somehow broke free from the Russian circuit to end up on a respected UK label; from the uniquely horrible artwork, rigid musical arrangements and media descriptions to deliver us a genuinely interesting electronic-based release. Though a little rough around the edges, I find Pomol quite a striking, pleasant listen. You like one track, you like them all. That's what I say, 'cause it's my blog - ha-ha! But really, there's a whole variety of sounds, ranging from more angry, rapid paces to quiet, sort of pondering and meandering melodies. And then there's the occasional 'clubby' song. Good shit, or "cacat bun", as we call it.