CD Review   Okean Elzy’s Gloria

By Nestor Gula

Just off the top of my head, I can name two bands that have songs called "Gloria": The Doors and U2.  Both songs are very different but very powerful in their own way.

There’s a third band in this mix–Okean Elzy. Their song is a different "Gloria". Where Jim Morrison spelled out G.L.O.R.I.A., and Bono belted out the name in solemn prayer, Okean’s version just doesn’t have the spirit or the drive of these two classics. Nor does it really stand out in this 12-song album.

In fact, that is one of the problems I have had listening to Gloria, the newly released album by Okean Elzy. This album was much anticipated – there were billboard posters all over Kyiv this summer hyping this Ukrainian supergroup’s newest release. But like in other cases where there is a lot of anticipation, there is some disappointment. (Incidentally, is the title pronounced “Gloria” or Hloria” in Ukraine?)

No song really stands out in this album. There is no discernable song that one remembers an hour after turning off the CD player. Is there a hit, or a song that stands out, that gets my toe tapping, my heart pumping and makes me want to listen to the disc again? I could not find one.

There are no stinkers here either. The music is fine. The sound is good. As the saying goes–it will appeal to fans. Gloria will not win many new ones though. On some songs I felt like I was listening to Queen–but only if Freddie Mercury smoked Belomor Kanal cigarettes and, initially, I thought this was interesting.

The main weakness of this album is that it is way overproduced. The spirit of the band has been sucked out leaving just empty sounds. Apparently the band is going on tour (with a concert in Mississauga at the Hershey Centre on April 8). A change of scenery will hopefully do some good in helping the band rediscover its creative spark.

Nestor Gula is a Toronto-based writer and editor.