A Review On Tatu's First Debute ("FW" Magazine) Time of publication: 24.01.2003 |
If Britney makes you blush, and Christina makes you cringe, then t.A.T.u. will definitely terrify you. Have they crossed the line?
I usually like to concentrate only on the sonic qualities of a CD when reviewing it. After all, unless you have $20 to throw away on an unconventional coaster, you bought the CD for the music. However, in this case, I feel compelled to talk about t.A.T.u.'s marketing scheme, because really, the music isn't worth all the publicity the two young ladies behind the band -- Julie Volkova, 17, and Lena Katina, 18, -- are receiving. The Russian duo was assembled by former psychologist and advertising executive Ivan Shapovalov, and while their record label won't confirm whether the two are actually a couple or not, press releases tease the audience with tidbits suggesting that the girls are lesbians -- they insist on a double bed in their hotel room and, oh yeah, they like making out with each other in their music videos.
Some may see this is a new low for music: we have entered the era of softcore lesbian pop. Others may see it as brilliant marketing. After all, t.A.T.u. have already sold over a million copies of their latest album 200KM/H In The Wrong Lane. What kills me however, is the girls' reaction to all the controversy. "Everybody thinks we are lesbians, but we just love each other," they say. Hmmm.
Well, whether or not these girls are the real deal, they might as well ride this wave of fame while it lasts, because it certainly won't be the music that sustains them. Included on 200KM/H In The Wrong Lane is a really bad cover of The Smith's "How Soon Is Now" and a handful of pop tunes -- half in English, half in Russian -- that are very similar sonically. This sound -- distorted guitars, pulsating electronic beats and ghostly synthesizers -- works very well on their latest single "All The Things She Said," but by the end of the album, it's hard to tell the songs apart.
Who knows, perhaps t.A.T.u. might come up with some more solid tracks in the future, in which case they might be worth a second listen. But for now, just sit back, enjoy the racy videos and brace yourself for media saturation the likes of which Britney and Christina have never known.
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