1. King Crimson
Progressive Rock
Years active: 1969-present
UK/US
Current members:
Robert Fripp (guitar, soundscapes)
Adrian Belew (guitar, vocals, percussion)
Tony Levin (bass, stick, backing vocals)
Pat Mastelotto (drums, percussion, samples/loops)
Gavin Harrison (drums, percussion)
Discography
1969 - In the Court of the Crimson King
1970 - In the Wake of Poseidon
1971 - Lizard
1972 - Islands
1973 - Larks' Tongues in Aspic
1974 - Starless and Bible Black
(favorite)
1974 - Red
1975 - USA (live)
(favorite)
1981 - Discipline
1982 - Beat
1984 - Three of a Perfect Pair
1994 - THRAK
2000 - The ConstruKction of Light
2003 - The Power to Believe
(favorite)
King Crimson is huge, as far as musical influences go. The band singlehandedly started the entire progressive/symphonic rock movement in 1969, and with the same album also laid important groundwork for metal. Shockingly, instead of becoming a big tribute band to their first revolutionary album, they've kept pushing - helped by the frequent breakups of the band, in which only Robert Fripp remains an original member. Going into very dark heavy territory in the 72-74 territory, then lighter but extremely intricate sound in the 80s, and then increasing experimentation toward the late 90s which resulted in a number of "ProjeKcts" and then new material for the new millenium, their sound consistently changed and frustrated those who wanted to hear them play old hits.
In my estimate, this band has been a constant 20 years ahead of their time, throughout their 40-year career - it's the audiences that ought to be catching up to them. They are a primary and direct influence to virtually any progressive rock/metal band around today.
I saw KC live in 2003.
2. DDT
Russian Rock
Years active: 1980-present
USSR/Russia
Current members:
Yuri Shevchuk (lyrics, vocals, guitar, percussion)
Igor "Dotsa" Dotsenko (drums)
Pavel Borisov (bass)
Alexei Fedichev (guitar, backing vocals)
Konstantin "Cat" Shumailov (keyboards, samples/loops, backing vocals)
Mikhail "Uncle Misha" Chernov (sax, flute, backing vocals)
Ivan Vasiliev (trombone, clarinet)
Igor Tikhomirov (sound engineering, bass)
"Raduysya" duet (female backing vocals)
Discography
1981 – DDT 1
1982 – Svinya na Raduge [Pig on the Rainbow]
1983 – Kompromiss [Compromise]
1984 – Periferiya [Periphery]
1985 – Vremya [Time]
1988 – Ya Poluchil Etu Rol’ [I Received This Role]
(favorite)
1990 – Ottepel’ [Thaw]
1991 – Plastun
1992 – Aktrisa Vesna [Actress Spring]
1993 – Chernyi Pes Peterburg [Black Dog Petersburg] (live)
1994 – Eto Vse [This Is All]
1996 – Lyubov’ [Love]
1997 – Rozhdennyi v SSSR [Born in the USSR]
1999 – Mir Nomer Nol’ [World Number Zero]
(favorite)
2000 – Metel’ Avgusta [Blizzard of August]
2002 – Edinochestvo I [Oneness I]
2003 – Edinochestvo II. Zhivoi. [Oneness II. Alive.]
2003 – Pesni [Songs]
2004 – Gorod bez okon [City without windows] (live)
2005 – Propavshyi bez vesti [Missing without a trace]
2007 – Prekrasnaya Lyubov’ [Beautiful Love]
(favorite)
DDT is to Russian rock what Rolling Stones are to Western rock music - not because of similarity in style, but in terms of how much the movement is identified with them.
Many bands like to talk or sing about rebellion, oppression, going up against authority - DDT have had to do this. As puruers of a forbidden style in the Soviet era, they were threatened, searched, arrested, and banned by the KGB. Their songs were always full of wry social humour but at the same time compassion.
They were one of the few bands to survive the euphoria of drugs, alcohol and commercialization which ravaged the Russian rock movement in the early 90s when they were finally let out of the underground.
The band's hallmark and sole constant member, Yuri Shevchuk, is known for his harsh, intense, rasping voice - he sings with the full volume of his lungs; and the no less intense, honest, but humane lyrics about life in Russia, corruption, war, soldiers and workers - a true voice of the people.
Major changes in the band's sound started taking place in 1997 when they were invited by Aerosmith to record at their studio in Massachussetts, where they carefully studied every detail of American sound engineering, eventually building their own studio in Russia; and in 1998 when Yuri Shevchuk brought in experimental keyboardist Konstantin "Cat" Shumailov. With the release of 1999's "World Number Zero", the band took on a very industrial-influenced sound, which alienated some of the older fans but brought in many younger fans. They do come back to a simpler sound, too - including 2003's re-recording of many favorite DDT songs and 2007's project where Yuri finally went to studio with many of his "kitchen songs".
I saw DDT earlier this year in Toronto.
3. Akvarium
Russian Rock
Years active: 1972-present
USSR/Russia
Current members:
Boris "B.G." Grebenschikov (lyrics, vocals, guitar, harmonica)
Boris Rubekin (keyboards)
Oleg "Shar" Shavkunov (drums, percussion)
Igor Timofeev (sax, flute, guitar)
Andrei Surotdinov (violin)
Andrei Svetlov (bass)
Discography
1973 – Iskushenie Svyatogo Akvariuma [The Temptation of Saint Aquarium]
1974 – Menuet Zemledel’tsu [Minuet to a Farmer]
1974 – Pritchi Grafa Diffuzora [Parables of the Great Count Diffusor]
1976 – S Toi Storony Zerkal’nogo Stekla [From That Side of the Mirror’s Glass]
1978 – Vse Bratya-Sestry [All Brothers-Sisters]
1981 – Siniy Al’bom [Blue Album]
1981 – Treugol’nik [Triangle]
1981 – Elektrichestvo [Electricity]
1982 – Akustika [Acoustic]
(favorite)
1982 – Tabu [Taboo]
1983 – Radio Africa
1984 – Ihtiologiya [Ichtiology]
(favorite)
1984 – Den’ Serebra [Day of Silver]
1985 – Deti Dekabrya [Children of December]
1986 – Desyat’ Strel [Ten Arrows]
1987 – Ravnodenstvie [Solstice]
1989 – Feodalism
1991 – Russkiy Al’bom [Russian Album]
(favorite)
1993 – Lyubimye Pesni Ramsesa IV [Favorite Songs of Rameses IV]
1994 – Peski Peterburga [Sands of Petersburg]
1994 – Kostroma Mon Amour
1995 – Navigator
1996 – Snezhnyi Lev [Snow Lion]
1997 – Hyperborea
1996 – Lilith
1999 – Psi
(favorite)
2002 – Sestra Khaos [Sister Chaos]
2003 – Pesni Rybaka [Songs of the Fisherman]
2005 – ZOOM ZOOM ZOOM
2006 – Bespechnyi Russkiy Brodyaga [Careless Russian Wanderer]
If DDT is Russia's Rolling Stones, then Akvarium is the Beatles - again, not to say anything about their sound, rather about their iconic status in the movement. Under the leadership of sole constant member B.G., a prolific, truly lyrical and intellectual songwriter (and former engineer), they are a darling of Russia's intelligentsia and widely appreciated for their softer, quirkier sound (compared to, say, the heavy driving DDT).
It's hard to sum up the scope of their music. Much of B.G.'s lyrical work is influenced by Buddhist philosophy.
4. Porcupine Tree
Progressive Rock
Years active: 1987-present
UK
Current members:
Steven Wilson (lyrics, vocals, guitar, keyboards, production)
Richard Barbieri (keyboards)
Colin Edwin (bass)
Gavin Harrison (drums)
Discography
1991 - On the Sunday of Life
1993 - Up the Downstair
1995 - The Sky Moves Sideways
1996 - Signify
1999 - Stupid Dream
2000 - Lightbulb Sun
2002 - In Absentia
2005 - Deadwing
(favorite)
2007 - Fear of a Blank Planet
Well, what to say - these guys are one of the most professional, talented and best-produced bands you can find today. Generally probing through gloomy territory, especially in their later work PT edges close to metal - but still retains a melancholy tone. Wilson's genius as a composer, player and producer needs to be appreciated first-hand!
Saw 'em live last year
5. David Sylvian
Avant-garde
Years active: 1984-present (previously member of Japan)
UK/US
Discography
1984 - Brilliant Trees
1985 - Alchemy: An Index of Possibilities
1986 - Gone to Earth
1987 - Secrets of the Beehive
1988 - Plight and Premonition - with Holger Czukay
1989 - Flux and Mutability - with Holger Czukay
1989 - Weatherbox
1991 - Ember Glance : The Permanence Of Memory - with Russell Mills
1991 - Rain Tree Crow - with Steve Jansen, Richard Barbieri, & Mick Karn
1993 - The First Day - with Robert Fripp
1994 - Damage: Live - with Robert Fripp
(favorite)
1999 - Dead Bees on a Cake
1999 - Approaching Silence
2000 - Everything and Nothing
2002 - Camphor
2003 - Blemish
(favorite)
2005 - The Good Son vs. The Only Daughter - Blemish remixes
2005 - Snow Borne Sorrow by Nine Horses - with Steve Jansen & Burnt Friedman
(favorite)
2007 - Money For All by Nine Horses - with Steve Jansen & Burnt Friedman
2007 - When Loud Weather Buffeted Naoshima
David Sylvian, at his best, is less a singer and more a poet + musical texturist. With a distinct, deep tone of voice and very loose musical arrangement, he goes to a level of subtlety that no pop singer would ever muster.
I am not ashamed to admit that I find David Sylvian's voice ridiculously sexy
6. Delfin
Alternative/Electronic/Rap
Years active: 1996-present (previously member of Malchishnik)
Russia
Discography
1997 – Ne v Fokuse [Out of Focus]
1998 – Glubina Rezkosti [Depth of Sharpness]
(favorite)
2000 – Plavniki [Flippers]
2001 – Ya Budu Zhit’ [I’m Gonna Live] (live)
2001 – Tkani [Fabrics]
2004 – Zvezda [Star]
(favorite)
2004 – Live 19.11.04
2007 – Yunost’ [Youth]
(favorite)
Delfin is an oddity - coming out of a shock-rap outfit initially, he was no stranger to loud yelling and heavy use of repetitive beats and samples... yet a lot of what I can say about him is similar to what I say about David Sylvian above. His music, which has origins on the dance floor, definitely goes places noone else's does. Much of his material has a desperate, romantic lyricism to it - and the music is also extremely rich in texture and subtlety.
7. PilOt
Russian Rock
Years active: 1997-present
Russia
Current members:
Ilya "Chort" Knabenhof (lyrics, vocals, guitar)
Victor Bastrakov (guitar)
Stas Markov (bass)
Nikolai Lysov (drums)
Andrei Kazachenko (keyboards, samples)
Discography
1997 - Voina [War]
1998 - Zhivoi Koncerrrt [Live Concerrrt]
1999 - Koncert v Sankt-Peterburge [Concert in St. Petersburg]
2001 - Skazka o Prygune i Skolzyaschem [Tale of the Jumper and the Slider]
2002 - Nashe Nebo [Our Sky]
(favorite)
2002 - Dzhokonda [Gioconda]
(favorite)
2003 - Vremena Goda [Seasons]
2004 - Ryba, Krot i Svinya [Fish, Mole and Pig]
2006 - Ch/B [B/W]
(favorite)
2007 - 10 Let, Polet Normal'nyi [10 Years, Flight Normal]
2008 - 1+1=1 (not yet released)
Arising on the ashes of the old Russian rock scene came a new one in the early 1990s. Originally named Military Jane and singing exclusively in Engrish, Pilot were an underground grunge band who had fun and didn't give a damn, until the late 1990s when Yuri Shevchuk (of DDT) invited them to play at a major rock festival, but on one condition: they had to perform two songs in English.
Thus began their journey, under a new name (which according to them was picked as the stupidest, blandest option so that they'd never get popular) - which eventually took them to become one of Russia's premiere rock bands.
Thanks to Ilya Chort's quirks, the band retains an intellectual edge. Heavily influenced by Buddhist philosophy and other complicated (pretentious?) ideas, he keeps pushing Pilot's otherwise very straightforward, song-oriented format into concept albums and other such projects. Some can't stand that, I personally enjoy the philosophical elements.
8. Inna Zhelannaya
Progressive Folk
Years active: 1994-present (previously member of Alyans)
Russia
Discography
1995 - Vodorosl' [Seaweed] - with The Farlanders
1998 - Inozemets [Foreigner] - with The Farlanders
2000 - Moments (Live) - with The Farlanders
(favorite)
2002 - Tancy Tenei [Dances of Shadows] - with The Farlanders
2004 - Vymysly [Figments] - with The Farlanders
2006 - 77RUS - with MALERIYA
(favorite)
2008 - ZIMA [WINTER] (live)
Inna is a remarkable singer who has been surrounded by remarkable musicians, pushing traditional Russian folk music into new, experimental direction. Going from an energetic folk-fusion Farlanders, her sound has recently developed more and more in a heavier, more electronically-drive, industrial direction. 77RUS remains the best new album I've heard in the past several years, alas woefully underrated.