Litsei / Лицей

The ensembles Leningrad and Vintazh represent two ends of mainstream pop and its promise of liberty. The former is overtly sexual and designed for visual display; the latter is grounded in freedom of verbal expression - and less hopeful.

A few days ago, word came that the band Vintazh had presented their new video to the public. It starred the actress Elena Korikova (below in a hugely popular 19th Century TV drama, "Poor Nastia"). Vintazh (i.e., Vintage) is what's known in Russia as a "producer's project," or composite ba...