The Russians

A few doors down from fellow Bostonian Oranjuly is a five-piece alt rock band called The Russians. Lead by frontman Scott Janovitz (former Gram Parker sideman), the band is a neo-psychedelic delight. The ironically named "The Record's Over" sounds like a Beatles meets Flaming Lips hybrid, it's a brilliant standout track. Each strum and slow beat strings together random thoughts like "Weren't we listening to The Beach Boys and dreaming?"

The songs float along a dreamscape that draws the listener in right away like the laid back "Taking To Yourself" with catchy hooks that draw comparisons to Ken Stringfellow. The subtle groove on "Sober and Un-Upsetting" leads to a wonderful horn filled break and multi-track chorus. It shifts in tone from slow ballad pop to alt. country, synth-pop all have flavors from his previous experiences with Parker, The Figgs and others. It gets a bit meandering at times, but ultimately satisfying with strong melodic tracks like the acoustic "Measure Out Our Space" and Big Star influenced "Make It Easy." The album ends with the slow anthemic "Lovesickholiday," a hidden gem with it's sweet harmonies and not one single filler here. A highly recommended headphones album if there ever was one. - Powerpopaholic.com

Never mind the geographical references implied by their name; the Russians are a Boston-based ensemble whose leader, Scott Janovitz, honed his licks backing Graham Parker and New England native sons like Jake Brennan and the Figgs. However, with Crashing the Party, those seminal influences are overshadowed by an obvious affinity for the Beatles, a fact that's all so evident at the outset with "The Record's Over" - which, by any measure, is an unusual title for a song that starts off the album.

Fortunately, Janovitz doesn't hold to a standard set-up, nor does he fashion himself as merely a Fab Four revivalist. While there's a strong hint of psychedelic suggestion throughout - ""Not So Loud" and the title track especially - the band shows a knack for grinding riffs, cool grooves and soft-pedaled harmonies. They're also adept at the occasional twist of a phrase; "I want to meet your enemies, I want to take them home with me," they croon on "Talking to Yourself," a rather odd bit of reassurance. Not surprisingly then, Crashing the Party provides the Russians with a grand entrance, one which suggests the celebration's just beginning. - Blurt Magazine

Cambridge, Mass., has always had a rich history in music and it only seems to be getting richer with the release of The Russians' "Crashing the Party."

The Russians are the brainchild of multi-instrumentalist Scott Janovitz who has a pool of talent to craft beautioful hook-filled pop songs. Mixing deft guitars and electro-loops, Crashing the Party is a shimmering summer soundtrack.

Calling on several local heavyweights - Mike Gent (The Figgs, Death Vessel), Pete Caldes (Juliana Hatfield, Mike Viola) – Janovitz may draw comparisons to the Beatles or even the Flaming Lips, but this veteran Boston muscian has put together a free-flowing 10-track record which harvests many influences over varied genres.

Opening track “The Record's Over” is a quirky modern-day Beatles song with Janovitz’ floating airy lyrics. “Not So Loud” is an electro-driven song until out of the blue Janovitz adds a horn section at the end and surprisingly it works. Janovitz turns balladiere on the soft rocker “Talking To Yourself “ and fleshes it all out on the guitar infused track “Sober and Un-upsetting” and we are just four tracks into Crashing the Party.

Normally you won’t find this much musical texture in an entire record, let along the first 15 minutes of an alabum. Despite its randomness of musical styles, Crashng the Party soars to the highest of high highs and falls back down to a smooth balance. Janovitz has done an outstanding job making a record that is not only fun on the first listen, but for many more listens to come. Look out kids, the Russians are coming and it could be the sleeper hit of the year. - Innocent Words Blog

Former JAKE BRENNAN AND THE CONFIDENCE MEN organist SCOTT JANOVITZ, brother of Buffalo Tom's Bill Janovitz, is busy taking center stage with two of his own projects. He handles all the songwriting duties for the RUSSIANS, an ever-changing collective of local talent. He's close to wrapping up the band's debut after recording 30 to 40 songs over the past four years at Moontower studios in Cambridge, which he co-owns. You can listen to their self-described "sissy boy slap party" at myspace.com/therussians, or catch them at the Paradise Lounge next Friday, July 7. "A friend of mine posted a note on the Myspace page that said the songs make him feel like he's floating," Janovitz says. "That's pretty much what I'm going for. I do a lot of recording and obsessing over those songs at home, late at night, frequently under the influence." - The Boston Phoenix

The Russians' founder Scott Janovitz is a veteran of the Boston music scene and recently lent his talents to Graham Parker as one of the Latest Clowns, so the well-crafted pop of their second EP should come as no surprise. They aren't shy about their love of the Beatles (even segueing each song into the next a la side two of Abbey Road), but they draw on a range from vaudeville and baroque pop to power pop to ambient. The best part is that they find their own voice in their hooks. They might draw a lot from some great bands, but in the end, it's their signature catchiness that makes this EP a great listen. - Rock and Roll Meandering Nonsense

So I mentioned last week that The Figgs had added Scott Janovitz as the fourth member of the band for the recording of their next album. I also mentioned that Scott had previously been a member of Graham Parker's touring band (along with Mike Gent).

What I didn't mention, however -- because I didn't realize it at the time -- was that Scott is the brother of Buffalo Tom's Bill Janovitz. And Scott has his own band called The Russians, who recently self-released a fantastic 4-song EP. You can stream the entirety of the EP at The Russians' website. I highly recommend that you do so. And while you're at it, spend some time on the band's MySpace page as well. You'll be glad you did.

So now I'm kinda torn. As much as I want a new Figgs album (and tour), I also want to hear more from The Russians. I guess there are worse problems to have... - Baby, You Got a Stew Goin'! -- rogo2000.blogspot.com

(from a live review, opening for Aberdeen City...)
"...The Russians opened with an inspired display of heartfelt, twangy rock carried on clever, gorgeous vocals by frontman Scott Janovitz (brother of Buffalo Tom's Bill Janovitz), who also plays organ with Jake Brennan & the Confidence Men." - Boston Globe

The Russians Are Coming To Sonicbids Spotlight
May 30, 2008
Story by: Liz Pelly

This week's CMJ/SonicBids Spotlight Artist is the Russians, a five-piece alternative rock band from Boston. With songs that have been rightfully described as updated takes on the Beatles sound, or a simplification of the Flaming Lips' intricacies, the Russians have self-released two EPs, and hope to tour later in the year after the release of their debut LP.

On the band's most recent EP, many of the songs are ones that frontman Scott Janovitz has been working on since as early as 2002 in his studio in Cambridge. Eventually, he started playing the songs live with some musician friends from around Boston, and the Russians were born.

Janovitz says that his other projects have influenced the Russians' simple, stream-of-conscious songs: a collaborative band called the Great Bandini, which is more "guitar-rockin" than the Russians; The Figgs, where he plays keyboard; and Graham Parker's the Latest Clowns, with whom he has toured and recorded.

"I think there can't help but be some osmosis between the different projects I do, but I really try and keep them unique from each other," says Janovitz.

"I love Boston," he says, confirming he has played his best shows in his hometown, despite having toured all over the country and overseas. "I feel like it's all circumstantial though. I could go back to one of these places and maybe have a terrible time. But if there are twenty people there who really give a damn, it's going to be good." - CMJ.com