PUSHKING

Pushking are from Russia and consist of vocalist Konstantin , guitarist Dmitry Losev, bassist Roman Nevelev, Oleg Bondaletov on keys and drummer Andrey Kruglov. They were formed in 1994 and have released 15 albums in their homeland, where they are huge. Unfortunately, their fame had not spread beyond the Russian border; to remedy this, the band’s management decided to send promo tapes around the world. One of these promos found its way onto the desk of LA based producer Fabrizio Grossi. He sent out some feelers and, as a result, a group of international rock and metal stars, including Paul Stanley, Billy Gibbons, Alice Cooper, Steve Vai, Joe Bonamassa, Glenn Hughes, Joe Lynn Turner, Eric Martin, Graham Bonnet and Udo Dirkschneider (to name but a few!) were queuing up to work with the band. The result is ‘The World As We Love It’. Given such a stellar cast you’d be forgiven for thinking that this release would be an all-time classic. Unfortunately, the constituent parts are greater than the sum. The album consists of the best of the tracks from Pushking’s previous releases that have then been reworked to include input from the various artists assembled here; however, such input doesn’t seem to have had much influence on the overall quality of material on offer, which for the most part is decidedly average. The standout tracks are ‘I’ll Be Ok’, ‘My Reflections After Seeing The Schindler’s List Movie’ (which showcases Steve Vai at his exhilarating best), ‘Why Don’t You’ and ‘Open Letter To God’, featuring a solid performance from Eric Martin. These tracks offer a glimpse of what could have been achieved. Ultimately, though, the finished product is disappointing. The concept is laudable but the execution is lacking and one is left to rue the possibilities that never quite got to see the light of day.

LABEL:

FORMAT:

earMUSIC

Album

THE WORLD AS WE LOVE IT

Review by Dave Uphill

RUNNING TIME:

79:00

RELEASE DATE:

28th Feb 2011

TRACK LISTING

1) Intro; 2) Nightrider; 3) It'll Be Ok; 4) Troubled Love; 5) Stranger's Song; 6) Cut The Wire; 7) My Reflections After Seeing The 'Schindler's List' Movie; 8) God Made Us Free; 9) Why Don't You; 10) I Believe; 11) Tonight; 12) Private Own; 13) Open Letter To God; 14) Nature's Child; 15) I Love You; 16) Head Shooter; 17) Heroin; 18) My Simple Song

COUNTRY OF ORIGIN:

Russia

"The concept is laudable but the execution is lacking and one is left to rue the possibilities that never quite got to see the light of day."