[ - MR. RUSSIA - ]

Let's see, I've only been away for almost six months now! Sheesh. Yeah [e-sigh>, I'm simply trying to obliterate the notion that people who create blogs are asleep at the keyboard, dilatory, idle, inattentive, indifferent, indolent, inert, lackadaisical, laggard, lagging, languid, languorous, lethargic, lifeless, loafing, neglectful, out of it, passive, procrastinating, remiss, shiftless, slothful, somnolent, supine, torpid, trifling, unconcerned, unenergetic, unindustrious, unpersevering, unready, weary, or even just plain lazy! Right then. ;)

Get to it, man. Ok. MR. RUSSIA recently released Training for the Gameshow Host -- the follow-up to its 2009 debut Teething -- and its available [e-drum roll] as a free download from the band's Web site. It includes a rather faithful version of Radiohead's "National Anthem, but don't seek this music out just for a cover. The short collection of songs deserves a bit more credit, or so methinks, and I'm not alone. Left of the Dial Magazine said the following: "imagine, if one can, a merger between Killdozer and Semisonic, or Jon Spencer Blues Explosion and a KTel records disco ball bash: there’s some gargantuan, gristly, distressed, crunchy, and ironic white boy funk-attack rhythm in here, bleached and bouncy too."

Here's a brief bit about the band from Lens Records:
MR RUSSIA blends two basses with synthesizers, drums, and snarky, blunt, and sometimes devilish lyrics, that is described as “a slash-and-burn mix of adrenaline and melody” (Jim DeRogatis of the Chicago Sun-Times). The new six song ep Training for the Gameshow Host pushes home the point while displaying this guitar-free lineup's continuing pledge to not disappoint. With a reputation for furious, sweat soaked live shows, "MR RUSSIA is a damn good time" (Chicagoist).

Enjoy, and I'll probably show up again in another six months or so ;).

[P.S. Happpy birthday to me Mums! =]