Search - Autograf :: Tear Down the Border

Russia's answer to Journey

Justin Gaines | Northern Virginia | 05/18/2006

(3 out of 5 stars)

"If Gorky Park was Russia's answer to American hair metal, then Autograf was their version of American arena rock. Autograf played AOR/melodic rock similar to Journey, Foreigner, and REO Speedwagon, though not at that level of quality.



Released in 1991, Tear Down the Border was Autograf's only album. Overall it is a decent AOR album. The songs are well-written and are quite melodic, and the musicianship is solid, though not exceptional. The album's weakness is the vocal delivery. Singer Arthur Berkut doesn't have a particularly strong voice, and it seems obvious that he's not entirely comfortable singing the lyrics in English.



Weaknesses aside, Tear Down the Border is not a bad album. It just doesn't hold up very well to it's American counterparts. Still, at such a low price it is worth picking up if you're a big AOR/melodic rock fan.



The track listing is as follows:



1. Coming Back to Find You

2. One Step Away

3. Tear Down the Border

4. How Can I Call It Love

5. Why Is This Goodbye

6. Judgment Day

7. My Brother

8. Going Home

9. Play With Fire

10. Why Can't You Stay

"