Ghost of the Russian Empire

Ghost of the Russian Empire - The Winter Soldier Ghost of the Russian Empire Discography [2006] With Fiercest Demolition (EP) [2008] The Mammoth Sounds Like Radiohead http://weheartmus... I was first introduced to Radiohead through, I think, Melody Maker. Radiohead came slightly befo...

As I previously mentioned, I'm totally using the Google Calendars. What's really cool is you can add weather, so if you're bicycling, like me, you can see right away if it's going to rain seven days in advance so you can plan around it. You can also add show times, for instance, I've added the Lost broadcast to my calendar, because seriously, this show is like on/off and can't keep a steady schedule.

In addition to public calendars, you can also add friends, so feel free to add or to see what CDs are being released and what concerts I'll be attending (usually in Minneapolis, so it's probably not that useful to you).

Well the W♥M Calendar is telling me that it's Memorial Day today... which perfectly leads to "The Winter Soldier" by Austin, Texas' Ghost of the Russian Empire from their debut album, The Mammoth (released on May 13^th).

This whole album seems to have been inspired by (later) Radiohead with, possibly Doves influences. Singer, Brandon Whitten, does also have Thom Yorke-like quality vocals (especially on "The Black Mark"), and if you're still not convinced he's a huge Radiohead fan, here is a blog entry from him:

In Rainbows--thoughts?
Thursday, October 11, 2007

how's everyone liking the new radiohead album? i'm probably extremely biased because they're my favorite band, so it's hard for them to do wrong in my eyes (ears?). i think it's pretty damn solid. a little more chilled out in some spots and minimalized to good effect. i really hope they tour again soon. anyways, just want to see what you all are thinking.

I felt the band is at best when it's more rock n roll in "A Decade Without a Death" and "The Winter Soldier". I do appreciate them trying new sounds like creepy atmospheric background noises in "Hammer Hands" and feedback guitar technique on "Bleeding Machines", but when you have an image of a giant mammoth as an iconic symbol for your album, you just expect more monstrous loud rock or something. This is more of an image/perception thing on my behalf, however.

If you're a fan of Radiohead with a dab of psychedelic rock, don't pass The Mammoth, out now on Thirty Ghosts Records.

Links: ghostoftherussianempire.com myspace.com/ghostoftherussianempire