Customer Reviews

Dangerous & Moving

5 star:		(49)
4 star:		(29)
3 star:		(8)
2 star:		(8)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

It was more exciting when we thought this girl loved that girl, but what the heck - this is a fun pop album anyway. The second English album from the controversial Russian duo, it takes up from where "200km/h in the Wrong Lane" left off, with a huge first single "All About Us".

With their reputation for creating a stir, Lena Katina and Julia Volkova certainly succeeded in attracting attention with their on-stage antics and risqué videos, some of which were banned by MTV, BBC, and others.

There are quite a few good songs on this album, even though the beats are quite similar, the ones to watch being "All About Us", "Loves Me Not", "Friend or Foe" (with Sting on bass, written by Richard Carpenter), the slower "Craving (I Only Want What I Can't Have)", "Perfect Enemy" and the title track, which rounds out the album. I'd like to say that I like "Obizienka Nol", but knowing t.A.T.u. and not knowing Russian, I'd better play it safe.

A worthwhile follow-up album in the same vein as the first.


Amanda Richards, October 13, 2005

who says that a bands second album shouldn't sound like their first? i say dont fix what aint broken. this is basically 200km pt.2......but better. the songs are a little deeper and more polished. the standout tracks for me are, "all about us", "craving" (beautiful song), "we shout", "perfect enemy", "dangerous and moving", "friend or foe". the latter song features sting on bass. how can you beat that?

nothing groundbreaking here, but it is a very enjoyable cd. if you liked their first album or any of the previous singles, you'll love this album.

This seemingly oxymoronical review title perfectly describes the emotional nature of the album. So driven by melancholy it is, that it becomes far more than simple pop.
Although I prefer the Russian album version "Ljudi Invalidi", this album is essential for the tracks which do not appear on the original: The delightfully plaintive "Friend or Foe", the sweet and bearably cutesy "Gomenasai", and the shimmering "Sacrifice".
This is music that unites the complexity of its issues with a background which supports and lifts up, rather than belies its intensity. I loved the English lyrics on their first album, and I also think that these manage an admirable bridge between melifluous pop lyrics and a perceptiveness which does not insult the intelligence of the listener. The girls' enunciation is also very natural and decipherable without a lyric sheet.
Let us hope that this album will become enough of a success to lead naturally into another album in the near future.

Side Note: The original album contains not only more passionate and naturally sung versions of songs like "Dangerous and Moving", "Cosmos" and "Perfect Enemy", but some gems not on this pressing, such as "Vsja Moja Ljubov" and "Chto Te Khvateat".

Although it seemed they had disappeared from the planet, Russian duo Tatu returned in 2005 with their sophomore attempt, Dangerous and Moving. Dropping all pretences of being a lesbian couple, the gimmick that brought them into the spotlight in the first place, the girls offered up a second album that, like their debut, was accessible to everyone, and full of excellent music. Some of the songs still do have lesbian overtones, but seeing as one of the girls is bisexual (not that it matters), it makes sense. This album makes it clear that the girls' voices have improved greatly, especially Julia whose borderline screeches put a slight strain on their debut. If people would just get past the whole issue of the girls pretending to be something they weren't, they would realize that both albums from the pair provided quality music, often with lyrics better than artists whose native language was English. This album is a step up from their already great debut, and hopefully they keep moving in this direction (no pun intended).

An engaging intro kicks things off, immediately capturing the attention of the listeners. It's a fast-paced instrumental track, which easily sets the mood for the rest of the album. With almost a dark kind of sound, it is reminiscent of songs on Tatu's debut album as well as sets the tone for other songs here. Lead single "All About Us" follows, and considering how good the song is, it is baffling as to why it didn't do better when it was released. This song is almost a sequel to "Not Gonna Get Us", but without sounding like a carbon copy. In it, the girls sing about how their relationship is about them and no one else. The lyrics are touching and well-written, although a little on the simplistic side. Following this is an absolutely stunning track entitled "Cosmos (Outer Space)", although I can't quite put my finger on what makes it so great. There's something about the almost dark, moody tone to the lyrics that makes it intriguing. Their voices sound much stronger here than their debut, this really showing how far they've come in the past couple of years. The bridge in particular sounds amazing, although the entire song is wonderfully haunting ("Outer space is where we get together/in the cosmos we are free...").

"Loves Me Not" is a touching song about how one of the girls complicated things by falling in love with a boy, and her confusion over what to do about the situation. The verses really convey the confusion and almost loneliness the girl in the circumstance is feeling, which is a large part of what makes the song so great. The bridge again is excellent, as it has one of the girls singing a previous verse slower, and more emotionally. "Friend or Foe", featuring bass guitar played by Sting (although barely audible), describes a faltering relationship and how the girls don't know where they stand anymore. The instrumental part in the middle of the song is incredible, as is the transition back to vocals, where the girls sing softly, conveying the emotions really well. The lyrics aren't the best here, but they fit perfectly with the rest of the song, so it is excusable. "Gomenasai" is rumoured to be an apology dedicated to the people of Japan after the girls had to cancel a tour date there. The song itself has the girls apologizing for letting someone down, and letting them know they made a mistake but feel badly for it. The emotive vocals and beautiful instrumentation in this song are both incredible, and along with the sweet lyrics make a brilliant song.

"Craving (I Only Want What I Can't Have)" is a chorus-driven song, although the verses are much stronger lyrically. This song definitely shows the improvement the girls have made in their vocals. The vocals here are almost haunting, yet sweet and beautiful and suit the tone of the song incredibly. Like the previous two songs, this has an excellent instrumental break toward the middle which only serves to make the song even more enjoyable. "Sacrifice" is, like all the songs here, superbly produced and Julia, who sings lead here, sounds amazing. The verses are hauntingly sung and the lyrics are beautifully written, although many would say they don't make any sense. This was the only song that for whatever reason I didn't really like at first, but it grew on me by the second listen to the album. Instrumentation here is again extremely well-done. "We Shout" is another beautiful ballad, and contains arguably the best lyrics of all the songs on the album. Everything about this song is beautiful, in a melancholy and evocative kind of way. Although all the songs on this album are excellent, I would have to say this is one of my favourites. The stripped down instrumentation during the verses really allow the girls' vocals to shine, and shows off the vast improvement from the last album.

"Perfect Enemy" was the only other song, along with "Sacrifice", that was not immediately likeable. However, also like "Sacrifice", I loved it by the second listen to the album. Rumour has it this song is dedicated to their controlling ex-manager, but I don't know how true this is. I must say though, if it is true, the lyrics really do fit but they could also be applied to a situation with an ex-love. The second verse, which I believe is sung by Lena, sounds particularly beautiful. "Obezyanka Nol" is a Russian song that seems somewhat out of place at first, but quickly becomes a welcome addition to the album as a whole. I have no idea what this song is about, but the dark tone fits perfectly with the English songs on the album. Vocally, both girls once again show off how far their voices have come in the past couple of years. Finally, the title track "Dangerous and Moving" is another favourite. Incorporating the music from the intro, I believe this song is supposed to be about rumours and such in the media. The lyrics fit best if applied to this interpretation of the song, but also work well if the song is about other topics. The second verse in particular is amazing ("No mercy for the lost/no soothing for the sad..."). This is an excellent way to close off an already amazing album.

Overall Mark: 5/5

In the world of modern pop music, it is rare for any artist to put out an album where every single song is enjoyable. Even more rare is an album where the vocalists convey the messages in the songs with a great deal of emotion, even if their voices may not be the best. "Dangerous and Moving" is a perfect example of both of these. Though many can't look past the fact that the girls are still using lesbian overtones when they have already denied that they are lesbian, it becomes irrelevant. Music is about the quality of the album and the songs, not about the image of the artists. With that said, "Dangerous and Moving" is without a doubt one of the most consistent and deepest pop albums that has been put out in a long time.

I have been a long-time Taty fan. I first downloaded Ya Soshla S Uma - the original Russian version of All The Things She Said - months before the english album was released, and I immediately fell in love with the strong, raw sound they produced. I own both Dvesti Po Vstrechnoi - of the four main albums (it, it's english counterpart, this one, and this one's english counterpart), still their best ever, and I reccommend it to the whole world - and 200 KM/HR In The Wrong Lane, and have since the latter came out and since I could afford to import the former.

This CD is quite a bit different.

Gone is some of the harsh bitterness which is found in most Russian music, and some of their edge would go with it as well if the aforementioned edge wasn't so integral in everything Lena and Yulia do. Taty has changed and matured since their schoolgirl uniform days - Yulia's had a beautiful daughter, and Lena has matured particularily on her own. Some of the naivete of the first album is gone.

1. Dangerous and Moving - Intro. I won't rate this song as it's merely the main background music of the title track repeated and then faded away. It serves its purpose as an intro and nothing more, though it made me curious as to what it led to.

2. All About Us - 9/10. When I first heard this song, I hated it. I was hearing a really bad radio recording, but nevertheless I thought, my god, they've lost it. Once I had the real version, though, my opinion changed. All of the instruments in the background blend together with the girls' voices to create a really, really good pop song, in my opinion. Granted, the verses are second rate and only contain 10 words max, but they actually get the point across well ("if they hurt you, they hurt me too", while containing some of the naivete I commented on earlier, actually hit me, which I never expected). Lena especially shines in this song during the high-pitched part. It was a good choice for the first single.

3. Cosmos (Outer Space). 10/10. I love this song. It's one of the most ethereal songs I have ever heard, beaten only by Phil Collins' "In The Air Tonight." As soon as night falls I always put it on repeat in my car because it fits the atmosphere so well. Lena almost fainted belting out the chorus, and I can see why. A standout track. A little too off of the mainstream to be a single, but an amazing song nevertheless.

4. Loves Me Not - 8/10. The reason I love this song is because it reminds me a lot of the old Taty - the crazy woman-loves-woman-loves-man triangle is just an awesome idea, and I love the lyrics. The chorus is wonderfully angsty, if a bit repetitive.

5. Friend or Foe - 8/10. Another song that reminds me of the old Taty. Suffice to say, this is an excellent song, with good lyrics and a strong beat. It's not as catchy as Perfect Enemy or Sacrifice, but it's up there on my favourites.

6. Gomenasai - 4/10. This is easily my least favourite song on the album. Yulia didn't want to sing it, but her producers convinced her it was a good song. Well, they lied. It lacks the typical Taty edge and just sounds very bland to me. It's average, which is something I never expected from Taty. Actually, now that I think about it, this is the only Taty song EVER that I have not liked. It isn't memorable in the least.

7. Craving (I Only Want What I can't Have) - 9/10. The way Lena sings the chorus just makes me melt. That throaty sound and everything just brings the song up 100%. A lot of fans were disappointed by this song, but I happen to like it, personally. The beat is especially good and the lyrics are better than average as well.

8. Sacrifice - 11/10. I'd give it infinty/10 if I could. This is easily my favourite song on the album. I prefer Lena overall, but the way Yulia sings that chorus just isn't imitable. This is an amazing song with the best english lyrics the girls have ever had. "Can you tell me, softly/How you'll always haunt me/Can you help me, hold me/Come to me now, slowly./You caress me smoothly/Calm me fears and soothe me/Move your hands across me/Take my worries from me." Gorgeous all the way through. And when Yulia sings "I will sacrifice all I have in life to clear my conscience" it just hits something inside of me. This is one of the best songs I have ever heard. I am in love with this song and really hope they release it.

9. We Shout - 10/10. Gorgeous. There's no other word for it. The English version of Ni'chya, and of course the Russian version is better but this is one of the best Russian-to-English versions they've ever done. The lack of a real chorus is what really makes this song stand out. Lena shines again on this one, but Yulia has her amazing moments as well. It's one of the top four songs on the album.

10. Perfect Enemy - 10/10. My other favourite song on the album, apart from Sacrifice. The beat is EXCELLENT. I love the percussion in the background, and the opening is amazing. when Lena starts to sing "Why should I welcome/Your domination" it just sounds perfect, and the way she sings is amazing. Both of them just shine on this aong, and vocally it's one of their best. They have a lot of emotion in their voices throughout the whole song, and Yulia belts out that chorus like a pro, sounding amazing. If I could change one thing, though, I would have Lena sing the chorus with her - only an octave lower (Lena easily has the bigger range). I think that would push this awesome song even higher. My other biggest problem is the loine "Things I loved before are not for sale." My sister makes fun of it every time and I have nothing to say to contradict her :-P

11. Ol'byzanka Nol - 10/10. To justify my high score basically only requires this: It's in Russian. The girls never falter in Russian. And besides that, the title is way too much fun to say.

12. Dangerous and Moving - 9/10. Their next single from the album. I think there are much better candidates for singles - all of the songs I gave 10/10, for example - but this is significantly better than, say, Gomenasai, so I won't complain. The chorus is the best part of this song, like All About Us. They sound great together in this song, and that's what I like most about it.

Overall, I'd give the album 9/10. There was one big miss, a bunch of 9's and a few standouts that blew me away. Lena and Yulia are amazing vocalists. I hope this album does as well as it should in the charts, and even if it doesn't, I will always be a Tatu fan.

I just hope to be able to get a copy of the Russian counterpart as soon as possible ^_^

This cd is amazing. I mean every song is great, not one filler. VAST Improvement from the first album although that album was great too. Dangerous and Moving is the reason t.A.T.u. are still going strong, and hopefully America will ignore the fact they really aren't Lesbians and judge them on the quality of this release.

I admit, like most others, that it was the hook of ATTSS that drew me in. It was reminsicent of Ace of Base, Garbage, a mix of Techno and Rock. That, essentially is t.A.T.u: techno rock. The first album was a good one, but the songs were all very similar. I suppose they stuck with what their producers said to do. And it worked, but wouldn't again on a second album. So here we've got album No. 2, and has it improved? Yes. While also retaining the unique quality the girls had in Album 1. 200 KM/H was techno rock that worked, but thank god they branched out. Songs like "Loves Me Not," "All About Us," and "Dangerous and Moving" stick to the old formula, but there are some new styles being toyed with in songs like "Gomenasai," "Craving," and "Sacrifice." Their music is growing, and so are they, but at heart, they're still t.A.T.u.

All About Us 3/5: Repeating what ATTSS was known for: catchy chorus. Good, but nothing spectacular.
Cosmos 3.5/5: t.A.T.u is stamped on this one. Hard song in the verses, but the chorus lets us know they're still vulnerable at heart.
Loves Me Not 4/5: Unfortunately, repetitive. BUT the chorus is so catchy it's forgiveable. And t.A.T.u singing what only they can sing so well: songs about sexual ambiguity.
Friend or Foe 3/5: I like the different feel this song has, but again the chorus is catchy catchy catchy. It works, but is not anything spectacular.
Gomenasai 2/5: Either you love it or go "meh" over it. It's pretty, but to me is "30 Minutes" off of 200 km/h all over again. The girls do sing it beautifully, though.
Craving (I Only Want What I Can't Have) 3.5/5: This song sounded NOTHING like t.A.T.u at first. It takes them in a new direction entirely. Not one that I think I'd want them to stay in, but it's nice for what it is. Kind of mid-90s vibe to it.
Sacrifice 4/5: Excellent balance of old and new t.A.T.u styles, though Yulia's voice is strained in the chorus. Excellent lyrics.
We Shout 3.5/5: Executing what Gomenasai missed out on: real feeling. Beautiful song, and old-school t.A.T.u. (Based off of Nich'ya, so no wonder.)
Perfect Enemy 2/5: Most uninspired on the album. I say this because it is too old-school and sounds like it could've been Ya Tvoi Vrag off of Dvesti po Vstrechnoi. Just filler.
Obez'yanka Nol 3.5/5: Russian, their beautiful language! The girls sing so unlike they do in English, they really acheive the emotion they sometimes miss in English. Love Yulia's voice here.
Dangerous and Moving 3.5/5: I prefer Lyudi Invalidy, the Russian version of this song. It's about people whose emotions don't exist, that are practically monsters. It's a dramatic song, but danceable as well. I love the idea behind it, and the darkness.

I just picked up a copy of this album after listening to a few select tracks online, and I have to say, wow.

I am honest about the fact that I am a snob when it comes to music, don't even ask my opinion on the current state of the music industry, however, this album is phoenominal. High quality production value, lyrics that don't make you feel dumber for listening to. I normally don't listen to "pop" music, especailly when anyone is around, but this is one of those albums you can play around your friends and not have to either defend it, or worry about your buddies ripping on you. This is one of those rare gems that you dont have to be embarrassed about playing in public.

These chicks can wail!

t.A.T.u. won over Americans in their U.S. debut 200 km/h The Wrong Way by being proud lesbians who announced this in every song they had a chance to. However, after accusations of being fake lesbians t.A.T.u. faded away from the American scene, never to be heard from again ... 'til now. The duo returns with their U.S. sophomore album Dangerous And Moving. However, those expecting to be blown away might find this album a tad boring. Music wise, there's hardly anything wrong with it ... other than the whole album is basically 200 km/h The Wrong Way pt. 2. Take the first song (besides the intro) "All About Us" for example, once the chorus hits one might replace the words with "show me love/ show me love/ give me all that I want!" ("Show Me Love" from their debut album.) Like wise with "Cosmos (Outer Space)", one will think back on "Clowns (Can You See Me Now?)" Now keep in mind, none of these are bad songs per se, just none are strikingly different. However, some do hit originality, and dare I say just plain brilliance, especially with lead single "Friend or Foe" ft. Sting on bass. And "Craving (I Only Want What I Can't Have)" is also original and great. However, these hardly save the album. While it's not bad, it's nothing special.

I LOVED t.A.T.u's first album, "200 K/M In The Wrong Lane" - it was one of the best CDs of 2003. In 2005, the girls finally returned with "Dangerous And Moving" - the girls weren't lesbian no more, but they were still feisty.

This album is very good, but not as likably instant as their first. I liked all the songs on the first listen on the 1st album, but it took me quite awhile to get into this one.

What are the standout tracks? "Craving (I Only Want What I Can't Have)" is my favourite - this track is sweet, slow and midtempo. It's not boring in any way though - it's very catchy and chantlike, easy to sing along to. The lyrics are amazing too. "Gomenasai" is another standout, it's another slower song. "Gomenasai" means 'I'm sorry' in Japanese. The song is in English though. Again, the lyrics are outstanding, and I love the piano. As for the upbeat tracks, I love "Loves Me Not" - this track is very reminiscent of their first album, it sounds like "Show Me Love" or "All The Things She Said." Instantly likeable and catchy, this is great to sing along to. "We Shout" is a very short 3 minute track, it's simple and chantlike, but works. The all Russian track "Obizienka Nol" is great - it's very rocky and loud, and a fun song.

After listening to this album a couple of times in a row, the songs start to sound the same, which loses it a star. This doesn't happen with their first album. But overall, this is a very good album.