8 The Race Ice Station Flame Shovel | 2007 | Album Biography Comments (0) Read Full Page Digg Review Add del.icio.us   From Russia with rock n’ roll love could easily be an alternate title for The Race’s latest disc Ice Station. The cover art for the album, a black and white photo of the band in dark uniforms studying a (revolutionary?) notebook, has the quartet looking like prisoners of some ancient Gulag. To back up the idea that these guys are straight out of the old USSR there are song titles like “Odessa” and “Walls”. But before you run out to buy a Russian language book so you can properly welcome the guys to the U.S. of A, relax – The Race is made up of a bunch of guys from Chicago. Lead singer/guitarist Craig Klein just happens to have a Russian fixation. It may sound strange, but Klein took his love for Mother Russia and, with his band, created an album as barren, dark and mystical as the land that inspired it. A prime example of how good “good” can be is a song called “The Shortest Way to China”. It’s a Killers-esque track with both a bright pop rock groove and a haunting edge. Also upping the chill factor is the mystical “Odessa” which evolves from a mournful dirge-like chanting into a full-blown rock song. The Race are also very good at using space on their album. They have a big sound at times, but they never lose that sparse feeling that gives the album an overall lost and lonely feeling. Klein has great control of his airy vocals and even when they fade into the background, it only takes a second for them to reappear and wrap around you. The title Ice Station might leave you feeling all cold and shivery, but after a listen, it’s easy to imagine these guys melting the frozen heart of Siberia itself. Amy Wagner Comments (0) Help Support Kevchino - Use these links to buy new music.

Releases The Race - Ice Station Flame Shovel - 2007 - Album Artist Website The Race - Official Website