Mumiy Troll press quotes — October 2009

“You don`t need to be able to read Cyrillic to understand this Russian band—a fluency in groovy post-punk and edgy guitar rock is all that`s required. The foursome, based in Vladivostok and Moscow, fires off sparkling pop songs that keep its young chainsmoking fans dancing.■ – The New Yorker, January 26, 2009

“[O]n the new Comrade Ambassador, we get a sample of their sound — guitar-heavy songs with a touch of electronica that sounds something like `90s U2 with a vodka-induced edge. Don`t worry about not understanding the lyrics — the groove is good enough, and the cover (in Russian) of the Mamas & the Papas` «California Dreaming» offsets the unfamiliar tunes.■ – Cleveland Scene, January 28, 2009

“A lifetime away from anything this country produces, the album mingles anything it can get its hands on, which, oddly, ends up sounding a bit like Café Tacuba cruising the back alleys with frontman Ilya Lagutenko masquerading as Tindersticks` Stuart Staples. Yet ▒Burn It All` romps with M.I.A.-like bhangra abandon, while ▒Mothers And Daughters` and ▒Drunken String` manage to rock without overtly rocking.■ – Illinois Entertainer, January 28, 2009

“This is an interesting story, also, about the Internet, and how it has transformed the music business. With the band peering through tunnel vision to get a sense of what rock music is, playing it in their country for twenty years, the Internet came along and allowed this fresh sound, this very different kind of sound to emerge. The band is on the verge of introducing themselves to the world, but their sound remains unchanged.■ – Public Radio International, January 26, 2009

“Comrade Ambassador sounds like a vodka-chasing mix of Bauhaus and Pearl Jam.■ – Minneapolis Star Tribune, January 30, 2009

“If you are looking for another English-singing U2 or Coldplay clone, then this will doubtless challenge you beyond your capacity to cope. However, if you are open to hearing some of Europe`s finest contemporary rock on its own linguistic terms, then Comrade Ambassador might just be for you.■ – Music Street Journal, February 2009

“They excel at a kind of dramatic, melancholy arena rock that could endear them to fans of the TV on the Radio and DeVotchKa. That being said, the highlight of Comrade Ambassador (a comp of MT`s last two discs, Amba and 8) is «We Overslept,» which paraphrases the funkier-than-thou bass line from Sly & the Family Stone`s ▒Thank You.` — The Stranger, February 6, 2009

“The power, the drive and the groovy edge is definitely enough to captivate the listener without the need to understand the lyrics and enjoy the adventure the band takes you on.■—KEXP.org (live show review), February 12, 2009

“…[T]here`s definitely some Talking Heads, a bit of the Clash ala Combat Rock, some 90`s rock, and a heaping dose of something uniquely distinct, which I`m sure comes out of Siberia.■ [8.5/10] – 411Mania.com, February 14, 2009

“Lush, driving pop melodies and hook-laden, circular grooves that hint at everything from salsa to techno to indie rock….Stands up as both pleasing background noise or under scrutiny.■ – Drum! Magazine, March 2009

“From Russia with rock! …[A]n engaging, hard-hitting sound.■ — Palo Alto Daily News, February 20, 2009

“…[T]he riffs uncoil with a languid spaciness that`s somewhere between post-punk iciness and power-pop melodicism…It`s all very weirdly exotic.■ – LA Weekly, February 25, 2009

“…quirkily infectious garage pop…a unique groove reminiscent of a good-natured mashup between Alexei Sayle, the English Beat, and A Flock of Seagulls.■ – San Francisco Bay Guardian, February 27, 2009

“It`s easy to see why Mumiy Troll has made such a splash, even without English translation. The vocals are swollen with an air of restlessness that naturally fuses their half Jet-esque rock and half experimental pop with a punk attitude that wants to scream, but instead walks calmly away, giving the music an edgy, mysterious appeal.■ – CMJ New Music Report, March 16, 2009

“Their music come across as an eruption of U2 and Nick Cave…the songs definitely grow on you and you`ve not quite lived until you hear ▒California Dreaming` in Russian.■ — Lee County Courier (MS), March 19, 2009

“It`s amazing how a band that has been around for so long can still refuse to become stuck in their ways. Fusing electronica, 80s techno-rock, and modern alternative music, Mumiy [Troll] takes the sounds they know best and creates something accessible but still rich in substance.■ – URB, March 27, 2009

“…Mumiy Troll has an exceptional knack for delivering incredible groove-oriented bass lines and funky riffs.■ – Ultimate-Guitar.com, April 20, 2009

“What does rock ▒n` roll, Russian style, sound like? Two parts simmering classic rock, one part fractured pop and … pretty cool, actually.■ – Buzzbands.la, May 13, 2009

“These guys are the real deal… Their songs are fantastic, rich Rockapops. Ilya`s voice is velvet. Yuri tears it up on his Jazzmaster. Sdwig is engaging and fun on bass and backup vocals. And Oleg, the drummer, is just truly sick.■ – Luxurywafers.net, May 15, 2009

“BEFORE HEARING: Russian superhero circus rock, with tigers. And mummies. And maybe trolls? AFTER HEARING: Pretty spot-on, if the heros and tigers are drunk, and the circus is actually a nightclub run by evil gypsies in 1987.■ – Entertainment Weekly “Judging Albums By Their Covers■, May 22, 2009