Customer Reviews

Dvesti Po Vstrechnoi

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t.A.T.u (or Taty in Russian) is made up of Yulia Olegovna Volkova and Elena Sergeevna Katina, Russian teenagers with pure voices and suggestive videos and song lyrics. The group has released a number of singles, remixes and "200 Po Vstriechnoj," the original Russian-language version of t.A.T.u's English album "200 km/h in the Wrong Lane." Let it be said that, although nothing really gets lost in the translation (besides some awkward pronunciations in English), Yulia and Elena really shine in Russian.

The album features several songs that are not on their English debut ("Doschitai do sta," "Robot," "Ya tvoi vrag") and should have been. The music is upbeat dance (at least "Ya soshla s uma" was played in clubs and on MTV España fairly consistently this summer), although there are some beautiful slow songs (my all-time favourite is "Zachem ya," or "Stars" on the English album). There are haunting sound effects such as children laughing and a music box/piano picking up the haunting melody on "30 minut (30 minutes)," cheesy "I am a robot" voiceovers inserted in "Robot," and a cool New Age sax solo on "Zachem ya," as well as Russian rap in the middle of the song.

The songs sound, for the most part, exactly like their English counterparts, although there is an extra spark of fire when the girls sing in Russian. I *do* believe that Taty is a very talented group indeed, regardless of how much of the group was a marketing ploy ( as Taty is pushed as a lesbian group when the emphasis should be on the great music they make). This is evident in some of their videos (in the much touted "All the Things She Said (Ya soshla s uma)," the girls share a long, intense kiss in pouring rain. In "Malchick gey" they sing about unrequited lust for a gay boy. Their new single and video "Prostie Dvizheniya (Simple Moves)" describes self-pleasure along with some rather evocative sound effects. And the girls frequently flash at their concerts, on several occasions losing control of the overenthusiastic crowds. It shouldn't be necessary to sell their music with controversy---Taty stands head-and-shoulders above most prefab acts that are crowding the charts today.

Their dance music is fresh and original, with involved lyrics, stay-in-your-head-for-weeks melodies, great beats, and slick production values. I prefer "200 Po Vstriechnoj" over "200 km/H" since there are all original songs on this album. If you're a fan of dance, trance, or those multitudes of "Chillout Ibiza" albums, then Taty is for you.

t.A.T.u or TATY in Russian Cyrillic are made up by Yulia Volkova (18) and Lena Katina (19) - two teenage Russian girls with amazing voices that are showed in the best way on this album. There manager Ivan Shapovalov made them into lesbians, but the songs themselves (with the possible exception of Ya Shosla S Uma) really do talk about themselves dating boys.
The original "200 Po Vstrechnoi" with the black and white cover had 9 songs and 2 "Hard Drum" remixes. This one has all 9 songs, not to mention one more, and 2 new remixes by Moscow Grooves Institute and That Black.

The first track is a brand new one - Klouni (Clowns). This upbeat song is one of the best tracks to start an album with, awesome strong Russian vocals, and the lyrics make a lot more sense compared to the English (The English ones really made no sense at all.)

Then we are dragged into the piano song 30 Minut or correctly Polchasa (Half an Hour). In the English version, the song was dull, and it just sounded like a soothing song. Here, the piano sounds more haunting, with the Russian whispers and laughing adding to the effect, with also a back ground of a ticking timebomb which relates to the video (download @ taty.ru)

Doschitai Do Sto (Count to 100) is sort of a soothing calm song, but also has quite a good rhythym. The lyrics are telling the girl to count to 100 and stop thinking about her boyfriend. I like this one, the lyrics are very fitting.

Then comes the very instrumental Zachem Ya (Why am I?) which has Lena very calmly singing about the fact she needs Yulia. Yulia answers in a rap, which is given the telephone effect. Though Yulia's rap doesn't always make sense, the style of the song is good, and I just love the digeredoo.

After 3 calm tracks, we needed to get more upbeat and Nas Ne Dagonyat (They won't catch us) is a great way to do that. Lyrics are along the same lines as "Not Gonna Get Us," but I like the English version music better for some reason. I think this sounds not as strong, because both Yulia's vocals and the music are lacking compared to the English version.

This track is not to be missed. The Russian version of "Show Me Love" - Ya Tvoya Permaya (I am Not Your First.) The Russian phone call is similar to the English one, the only different is that in the English one has a ring at the start. The lyrics sing about depression (I think), and the chorus is: Show, show, show, show, show me love. Show, show, show, show, why, why I'm with you. The music isn't as strong I don't think, and the Russian phone call is at the end as well. No extended version.

The next song is the techno "Robot." This song's lyrics are repetative, but the song is sort of goofy fun, and I love the vocals. It's about being in love with a robot, yet I don't think Futurama's "Bender" is my cup of tea (actually, might be a good match for Yulia...)

After this one is the cheeky "Malchik Gey" (Gay Boy.) The lyrics make more sense then the English one, and this is more funky-techno (the English version was more acoustic.) There is a annoying BLEEP cencoring the word "Ofigei" which means rude delightment, but if you can put up with that, this is a fab song.

Another "only Russian" so Ya Tebya To Vrag" (Your My Enemy Now), which has a great introduction, and then turns into a natural song with no real surprises. Good, but not the best

Ya Shosla S Uma is the debut "lesbian" track, with very weak music. The English version was a lot better, as the lyrics don't make much sense.

The "Los Calculators" remix of 30 Minut by Moscow Grooves Institute is boring and dull. It is 5 and half minutes and isn't very impressive.

The "Naked" Remix of Malchik Gey by "That Black" is very good. Not too long and it makes the song sound even more techno. You must listen.

A perfect collabration of rock and pop, with the best vocals. It's one of the most fantastic CD money can buy.

200 kms in the wrong lane, is a truly, truly, great album

No duff tracks,no padding out,a really classy piece of work that's up there on it's own.

When it's sung in English it is quite simply superb but when it's sung in Russian it just takes your breath away!

Those haunting-driving backing tracks with tatu's Russian vocals
blend so well together that it really catches fire.

There's no escape you never want to turn this record off!

It's such a catchy, bouncy, truly awesone, rocker!

In future I'll be buying all the Russian versions first, so don't think about it buy it and enjoy!

I was in Saint Petersburg, Russia last April 2002. I asked about some Russian Pop Music I should take back with me. My interpretor said this was the best of the best. She was not wrong and here it is 10 months later and finally America is getting a clue about this album. Sung in Russian it has a special charm but what really makes this a excellent album is the Production Values, Mixing and Musicianship. Played very loud, it has a dynamic range, power and impact beyond your wildest expectations.(And I'm a jaded, experienced musician of many years).Their first American TV appearance was on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno on 2/25/03.
Highly Recommended World Class Pop Music!

As always, when an exotic group from a foreign country starts singing in their native language, the way the words flow is better than when they decide to break into the American market, and two things happen. One, sooner or later, their sound is adapted to comply with the market. Two, the English language songs aren't as good as the original. Shonen Knife, Puffy AmiYumi, and t.A.T.u., are examples of this.

Dvesti Po Vstrechnoi is the new re-edition of their self-titled Russian-language debut, reissued with remixes of "Malchick Gay" and "30 Minutes". As Alex from A Clockwork Orange would say, it's horrorshow, or khorosho, to use the original Russian word, meaning great.

The first song is "Klouni", "Clowns (Can You See Me Now)". The Russian version of "30 Minutes" has the same lovely haunting atmosphere, but the Moscow Grooves Institute Remix has sitars, a distorted chorus and sounds that incorporate slowed trip-hop.

"Doschitai Do Sta", or "Count To 100," has no English equivalent on 200 km/h. It's mellowed with the piano-like keys, and sounds like latter-day Bananarama or even Saint Etienne.

"Zachem Ya" or "Why Me?" is the equivalent of the Dido-sounding "Stars" on the English album, which featured the sung lyrics in English while keeping the rap in Russian.

"Nas Ne Dagoniat" was Song #10 on the English album, and is of course "Not Gonna Get Us." Nothing new for those of us who have 200 km/h.

"Ya Tvoya Ne Pervaya" is the Russian language song for "Show Me Love." The rapid-sung chorus is even cooler in Russian than the original English.

The upbeat techno of "Robot" features eerie mechanical vocals sounding like a Dalek with a sore throat and "I am a robot" spoken in English. Call this Stacey Q. using more modern synths and sounds. The way they sing "robotrobotrobotrobot", rolling those "r"'s, and the spinning music done around has a distinct Russian flavour.

"Malchik Giej" is Russian for "Malchick Gay" or "gay boy" and one who read A Clockwork Orange will remember how Alex referred to himself as a young malchick, or young guy. As for "That Black Remix" of the song, it features repeats of them singing the title with a slowed done beat.

"Ya Tvoi Vrag" or "I'm Your Enemy", has no English analogue on 200 km/h, but has a sound similar to "Doschitai"

Song #10 should be familiar for those who bought 200 km/h In The Wrong Lane. It's the Russian version of "All The Things She Said", "Ya Shosla S Uma." The bass rhythm sounds different compared to the single version, but it's the best song here.

Getting this after 200 km/h is the right way to go to compare the two. Both merit 5 stars, rounded up, but the original Russian slightly higher. But all I can say is, enjoy them as they are now before they sell out totally into English, because chances are, the music will go downhill.

T.A.T.U is such a wonderful group!! For all of those people that give them hell.... you probably haven't heard there music in english or Russian! They are wonderful! If you still don't like them....don't write nasty words about them! I love there music! Give these ladies a brake! Do you know how hard it is in Russia to become what they are!?

Like most people, I bought 200 KM/H in the Wrong Lane soon after I heard the addictive hit "All The Things She Said". This was two or three years ago. I've just recently gotten around to picking up Dvesti Po Vstrechnoi, and I can say that it is leaps and bounds better than the English release.

First of all, you can tell that Lena and Yulia understand what they're saying a lot better, seeing as how Russian is of course their first language. There's much more emotion in their voices that is absent from the mainstream English tracks.

Secondly, several tracks appear here that weren't on the English release, one memorable song in particular being "Robot". These extra tracks are well worth the price of admission.

Of course, the album has downsides. The major one is: it's in Russian. So if you don't speak or understand Russian, you may not enjoy this one too much. I personally don't mind it one bit, but I know some who would.

Secondly, the two remix tracks at the end are very dull and far too long. They'd have been better left off of the album entirely.

Overall, I recommend this to anyone who bought 200 KM/H, or anyone who likes intense dance/techno/unique music.

Whether you listen to this in the original Russian or in the English version, it has a catchy ,infectous sound which is testament to a genuine musical quality.

You can listen to the Russian version with not knowing a word of Russian and because of the emotion and energy skillfully conveyed by both the vocals and the instrumental arrangement, it is still very enjoyable.

The packaging of the group as Lesbians was probably, like it or not, a marketing necessity to introduce the Russian pop group to the US audience. I say this because while TATU are clearly talented, they still have not yet attained the musical level of say, Russian pop artist Kristina Orbakaite, (same genre of Russian pop) who is all but unknown in the US. Ultimately, people will forget the Lesbian issue, and the music will stand (or fall) on its own merits.

All in all, a good album.

Vastiva! This russian duo's cd. 200 Po Vstrechnoi is excellent. Although may I make a reminder that this is the 2nd edition. The first edition was released in 2001, and this version was in 2002. The songs included are the same as the first one. Except the bonus track 'Klouny' (Klouny means Clowns). The order of the songs are different according to the 1st edition. The covers are NOT THE SAME. The covers on one side is black and the other is white. This includes 2 remixes of 30 Minut and Malchik Gei. This CD is very similar to the english version of 200 KM/H In The Wrong Lane (Japan Bonus Tracks).Although this cd is great.

If you liked:

All The things She Said you'll like:

Dochitai Do Sta, Ya Tvoya Ne Pervaya, Robot
Klouny,Ya Soshla S Uma, and 30 Minut

Not Gonna Get Us:

Nas Ne Dogonyat, Malchik Gei, Ya Vrog Vrag
Zachem Ya,

This CD has something for everyone

" Everyone says that uh. . . we are lesbians
but we just love each other"

"We sing about these problems that teenagers
can look into"

I first heard the Russian album 8 months ago and I just can't stop listening to it. I think this is the best Dance/Pop album I've heard in the last 25 years. The music is really good, but the singing is something else. I might not understand a word of Russian but you can't help being entranced by the emotive voices of the girls. Even my wife, who hates 'dance music' loves listening to it.