Klad Yada / Клад Яда

Four releases from several Russian and Ukrainian towns this week consider the role of public, "useful" song. At a time when civic anthems might make sense, these artists are too busy coping with daily challenges.

The issue of destiny emerges clearly in some new releases from Russia and Belarus. Over four separate publications, we see the role of "fate" increase. It is first countered with volume - and then met with grim resignation.

From Minsk, Moscow, and Togliatti, a handful of new recordings consider the kind of sounds needed to reflect everyday social experience In Russia and Belarus. Several of these musicians, having begun their career in rock music, now toy with harsher, less logical noises.

A number of musical projects this week from various Russian towns consider the relationship of speech and lyrics to destiny. Why, in a word, bother singing if actuality shows no indication of positive development?

Tacky Dimes are a young and noisy outfit from Moscow. Their love affair with distorted guitars has a long and important heritage, one audible 500 miles away in Togliatti

This text marks the third or fourth time that we've showcased the work of Mikhail Lezin, a musician and artist from the Russian industrial city of Togliatti. More specifically, we've made the following observations in the past: "Mikhail Lezin is a creative individual of considerable productivity....