Вежливый Отказ [Vezhlivy Otkaz] ‎– Гуси-Лебеди (2010, CD, Russia)

Apparently this is entitled "Geese Swans", though please don't take this as gospel. On this album, long-standing Russian folksters Polite Refusal take a more rhythmic approach. Starting with some bouncy Russian folk in the first piece (I'm guessing? I'm not well-versed in such music), by the second piece we're thrust well into avant-jazz-rock-in-opposition territory.

There are shades of Zamla Mammaz Manna, Thinking Plague and Henry Cow all over this album. Musicianship is excellent throughout, accessibility is thrown out the window, and the result is a difficult but fascinating listen. This is not full of jamming, this is highly-composed rock music from a very, very unusual angle, and there are often moments such as the main hook of Мурка that are very memorable even on the first few listens. The vocals may divide some listeners, but they are powerful, restrained, occasionally outrageous and always intriguing. Some lovely piano work scattered around, too. Fascinating stuff.