Search - Aquarium :: 20 Selected Songs of 1980-1987

A great introduction to Russia's greatest band

dji@dharmafish.org | Washington, DC | 10/01/2000

(4 out of 5 stars)

"No collection of Akvarium could provide a full picture of the band's 30+ year career, but this is a good introduction. It's natural for first time listeners to any band, particularly one singing in an unfamiliar language, to compare that band to more familiar music. Depending on the song you choose from Akvarium, you may say "hey, they sound a bit like..." any of twenty different bands... but they ultimately sound only like Akvarium. This collection touches upon the folk-rock Akvarium ("hey, they sound like Dylan & the Dead"), the new wave side of Akvarium ("hey, they sound like the Police... but they're singing about Eno"), the rock anthem side of Akvarium ("hey, rock on, Dude!") and a bit of the weird, Brecht-rock side of Akvarium ("hey... what the hell is that?!?"). Buy it and enjoy."