Radio Moscow: The Great Escape of Leslie Magnafuzz

 

     While looking up the history of this band, I found a Pitchfork review of one of Radio Moscow's old albums.  The author tore the band apart, making references to generic southern bar bands schwilling crappy beer in the mountains.  Apparently Pitchfork is too far above straightforward rock and roll, and homage to simplicity is uncool and lowbrow.

      The Great Escape of Leslie Magnafuzz is a tribute to the classic era of Rock and Roll.  When indie artists are polishing their sound and slicking their image, Radio Moscow strip down to raw power.  The psychedelic blues-rock of The Great Escape gives the listener monster riffs, the likes of Hendrix and King Crimson, and exchanges subtle textures for balls.  In an era where creative music is predominantly based of ethereal soundscapes, it is extremely refreshing to hear some good ol' fashioned rock tunes, filled with rattling drums and sloppy guitar solos.

       There are some minor contentions with The Great Escape, however.  This band is clearly influenced by the classic rock legends.  The only problem is, put simply, they are not as talented.   While a band could never be faulted for not meeting the level of Hendrix and Sabbath, reaching for this level and falling short makes Radio Moscow sound like they are trying to imitate a more generic form of 70s rock, after its peak.  The band follows a traditional blues rock formula, which can sometimes become mundane, especially when the listener isn't in the mood for 50 minutes of fairly consistent effects and tempos.  Similarly, epic solos without epic talent such as that in the song "Speed Freak" can sometimes feel a tad overindulgent. 

     The Great Escape of Leslie Magnafuzz is an album built for rock and roll purists, nostalgic of the glory days.  It is a fun album for people tired of the inundation of indie rock, and ready to let their hair down.  It may not be Jimi, The Stones or The Who, but it will do.