Russian rock is a special direction in rock music, which has acquired a look completely different from the rock of all other countries. Perhaps the reason was a certain isolation of the performers from the rest of the music world, or maybe the national mentality - but in the end, Russian rock is the way it is. What are its features?
The main thing is the texts
The phenomenon of Russian rock appeared in the USSR, while they never say "Soviet rock", although such a concept as "Soviet pop" quite successfully exists. The fact is that from the very beginning, Russian rock was antagonistic towards the existing government. Concerts were held secretly, and recordings were recorded on home tape recorders. It was easier to get a rare "self-made" cassette than to buy an album of your favorite artist in the store.
Russian rock was strongly influenced by Western rock music, however, it did not completely determine its appearance. The main differences are that in Russian rock the main role is played by the text, not music at all. We can say that Russian rock in general has little in common with rock music, as it is usually understood. The texts relate to Russian reality, this is high-quality lyrics, and it is very poetic. There is practically no sex or frivolity inherent in Western rockers.
The only thing that unites Russian rock with the world is the general idea of protest. Against government, totalitarianism, war, injustice, social problems
The list is long, and each musician or band gravitates to their favorite topics. Also a popular topic for expression in Russian rock is the inner world of the hero.
We can say that in the field of text, Russian rock does not inherit Western models, but Russian poetry, it only happens in a depressed environment where musicians are forced to hide underground. They do not dream of popularity, for them the main thing is to sincerely express their position. All this leaves its mark on the very essence of Russian rock. That is why many music lovers say that today there is no more Russian rock, because the conditions that determined it are gone. Modern rock performers of Russia are closer to western rock than to Russian. This does not mean that Russian rock is worse or better than western, it's just different.
Popularity and Artists
It is interesting to note that "real" Russian rock is listened to almost exclusively in Russia. It has always been like this: during the times of the Soviet Union and after it. The fact is that from a musical point of view, he really does not always represent something interesting. And to understand the texts concluding the contradictions and features of the "mysterious Russian soul" can only this very soul. Abroad, fans of Russian rock are, for the most part, immigrants.
The most famous and classical performers in Russian rock include Viktor Tsoi, the DDT band, Mike Naumenko, Yegor Letov, Yanka Diaghileva, Boris Grebenshchikov, the Alisa band, Andrei Makarevich and others. Some generations in Russia have literally grown up on this music, so Russian rock is often perceived as a special phenomenon of Russian culture that has too deeply “eaten” into people, just like, for example, Silver Age poetry.
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