Ambient indie rockers Russenorsk have won Athens audiences over since 2007 with simple yet symphonic songs and powerful live performances.
Their first full-length album, Comforts, which is being released today, is certainly an accurate reflection of the band's reputation.
Russenorsk's music is always very powerful when heard live, even though the band has only three members. The willful yet wavering voice of singer and guitarist Tim Race is similar to other art rock artists, such as Win Butler of Arcade Fire. Race knows how to utilize his voice in a sweet, almost cherubic way for the album's softer and more whimsical songs like Naked Light (Break-In) and Easy Bird.
However, Race still manages to forcefully belt out Give me the Devil! and one of Russenorsk's most recognizable songs, Buzz + Spit.
Buzz + Spit is unique in that it can be listened to over and over again and never gets old. What makes the song so laudable, however, is the distinctive beat played by drummer Zach Inscho and cello by Jack Martin. Inscho's ability to capture such a deeply heart-thumping beat perfectly counteracts Martin's cello and Race's quavering voice.
Although it is only eight tracks long, this album is a perfect expression of the contradictions that make up Russenorsk: shy yet loud, willing yet weary and entertaining yet thoughtful. Russenorsk will be selling CDs at its CD release show tonight at The Union for $10. The record will be on iTunes and CD Baby sometime in February.
3 Culture
Kelly Kettering
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