Russian dolls get away with act (U-Wire)

Time of publication: 24.01.2003

Barkeley, Calif

Before I even had a chance to pluck out Russian girly-pop-duo Tatu's debut disc "200 KM/H in the Wrong Lane" for review, I'd already experienced a bit of the buzz these two international sex kittens have generated by being the living, breathing, writhing objects-in-the-flesh of every heterosexual male.
Playing up the "are they or aren't they?," vocalists Lena Katina and Julia Volkova maximize lesbian-suggestive, naughty-schoolgirl images to their, arguably, artistic benefit, seeing as "200 KM/H" would probably not be half as interesting if not accompanied by PG-13-rated mental images of these two teases.

"Not Gonna Get Us" pounds with rudimentary synthesizer dance beats and either Lena's or Julia's (I swear they sound almost the same, and at times, resound with the same high-pitched chirpiness reminiscent of Alvin, Simon and Theodore) screeching the song's title in the background, but charms with breathy yelps in between such repetitive bouts.

Followed up by the more compelling "Show Me Love," the girls' explore a more mature aspect of techno-beats at a slower pace, but fail to shed the generic-ness that plagues any new artist of the genre. Undoubtedly the standout track, though, is Tatu's sexy estrogen-drenched cover of the Smiths' oldie-but-goodie, "How Soon is Now?," staying true to that heaving '80s feel. Aah, now if only they had played this version in the "The Wedding Singer."

"200 KM/H" isn't a horrible album, nor is it incredibly great, as it falls along the lines of dreamy, Eurotrash-y chicness ready to be put on perpetual "repeat" at your favorite dance club (bonus: the last two tracks are Russian-sung versions of the first two!).

Perhaps it's just marketing genius that two panties-clad Russian dollies who like to kiss each other can sing over watery techno-beats. Perhaps that's why they can get away with it.

Thanks to ta-tu.net

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