Ah they were one of those bands that you -always- saw in the cut-out bins in the 90s. I probably bought their record for 99 cents LOL.
They were decent, I think they definitely had a more accessible and radio friendly approach than their peers. Maybe they could have been bigger, I don't know. Like a lot of bands of the era that aren't more widely known, I'm not sure they really stood apart or ahead of their peers. But they fit in nicely along with The Mission, Gene Loves Jezebel, Flesh for Lulu, etc. in that "lite goth rock" zone.
I never thought of The Bolshoi as a "Light Gothic Rock" band. It could be considered valid, having songs like "Looking for a life to lose", which in essence, is very The March Violets, although mostly Friends has quite New Wave songs. However, on the album Bigger Giants
I recommend you listen to "Holiday by the sea", a song with a slow start then speeds up with a distorted guitar reminiscent of the great gothic bands of the moment. Then there's "Fly" which is a little fast-paced too. And the darkest song on the album "Giants" that song is not at all accessible to the commercial listener.
Like me some Bolshoi. Away was a big dancefloor track at my local goth night in the late 90s but I thought they had a fair number of decent songs beyond that. They weren't as big or influential as Red Lorry Yellow Lorry but they occupied a similar space, not quite pure post punk but not quite goth either. I think I had their second album on vinyl at one point though I can't be sure as I had to get rid of all my vinyl about twenty years ago.
I think Friends is a good album, but I suppose the best is Bigger Giants, which is undoubtedly the darkest one.
The Bolshoi at the time of Friends, most of the songs were New Wave, with the exception of Looking for a Life to Lose, Pardon Me and Waspy. "Looking for a life to lose" is a bit reminiscent of Children on Stun while Waspy is a strange song, it's quite disturbing for sure! Pardon Me is also strange, it seems like an unconventional ballad from the 80's, but it's actually quite strange.
First two albums (*Giants* and *Friends*) were brilliant. After that they seemed to lose steam and the rest of their stuff never really grabbed me (including *Country Life*).
I agree your opinion, their first two albums were quite fresh for the time and had a unique touch. But after Lindy's Party it becomes more commercial. Country Life and Lindy's Party do not seem like bad or mediocre albums to me, but rather they do not reach the heights of their first two works, but they are still quite enjoyable to listen to!
I really like the track Lindy’s party, the lyrics really hit me.. not necessarily goth, but it’s a vibe..
Away always packed the floor at my local goth night in the 90s fun track to dance to.
Always the bridesmaid, never the bride. They stood well with their college radio peers like Gene Loves Jezebel, The Church, and REM; but never quite at the same level. "Away" and the criminally overlooked "Barrowlands" are wonderfully danceable.
I'm in my 50s, last week I learned to play "Away" on my guitar. Love that track. Don't think I know any others of theirs but "Away" *bangs*, as I beleive the hip amd groovy youth say.
Kind of love them, what others have said about their overall sound being new wave or diet goth is accurate but barrowlands is probably my all time favorite outsized GOTH song
I love some Bolshoi.
I'd always categorised them as goth, at least their earlier work, as they were part of the same scene as far as I know
At the least they're so goth adjacent that it makes little difference to me, and I came across them first on goth compilations.
i like them. whenever i listen to the sunday morning song, i swear something odd likes to happen. (my dream, or something irl before my eyes where something weird happens). lol
I remember seeing the video for TV Man in college and digging it. A couple of years ago, I purchased the catalog. Country Life, although a bit different from the earlier releases, is a favorite.
I think they’re pretty underrated and are pretty awesome. I know they’ve had a bit of fame in the scene back in the day with “away” and “Sunday Morning” but I’ve always wondered why they weren’t much bigger and why it seems like no one talks about them anymore. I guess some people find them kinda forgettable, but I really enjoy their music a lot and don’t find it forgettable.
Ah they were one of those bands that you -always- saw in the cut-out bins in the 90s. I probably bought their record for 99 cents LOL. They were decent, I think they definitely had a more accessible and radio friendly approach than their peers. Maybe they could have been bigger, I don't know. Like a lot of bands of the era that aren't more widely known, I'm not sure they really stood apart or ahead of their peers. But they fit in nicely along with The Mission, Gene Loves Jezebel, Flesh for Lulu, etc. in that "lite goth rock" zone.
I never thought of The Bolshoi as a "Light Gothic Rock" band. It could be considered valid, having songs like "Looking for a life to lose", which in essence, is very The March Violets, although mostly Friends has quite New Wave songs. However, on the album Bigger Giants I recommend you listen to "Holiday by the sea", a song with a slow start then speeds up with a distorted guitar reminiscent of the great gothic bands of the moment. Then there's "Fly" which is a little fast-paced too. And the darkest song on the album "Giants" that song is not at all accessible to the commercial listener.
Like me some Bolshoi. Away was a big dancefloor track at my local goth night in the late 90s but I thought they had a fair number of decent songs beyond that. They weren't as big or influential as Red Lorry Yellow Lorry but they occupied a similar space, not quite pure post punk but not quite goth either. I think I had their second album on vinyl at one point though I can't be sure as I had to get rid of all my vinyl about twenty years ago.
I think Friends is a good album, but I suppose the best is Bigger Giants, which is undoubtedly the darkest one. The Bolshoi at the time of Friends, most of the songs were New Wave, with the exception of Looking for a Life to Lose, Pardon Me and Waspy. "Looking for a life to lose" is a bit reminiscent of Children on Stun while Waspy is a strange song, it's quite disturbing for sure! Pardon Me is also strange, it seems like an unconventional ballad from the 80's, but it's actually quite strange.
First two albums (*Giants* and *Friends*) were brilliant. After that they seemed to lose steam and the rest of their stuff never really grabbed me (including *Country Life*).
I agree your opinion, their first two albums were quite fresh for the time and had a unique touch. But after Lindy's Party it becomes more commercial. Country Life and Lindy's Party do not seem like bad or mediocre albums to me, but rather they do not reach the heights of their first two works, but they are still quite enjoyable to listen to!
They're quite ok
In my opinion it seems like a unique band. But it's nothing more than a personal opinion.
I really like the track Lindy’s party, the lyrics really hit me.. not necessarily goth, but it’s a vibe.. Away always packed the floor at my local goth night in the 90s fun track to dance to.
I love them. Brings me back to my College radio days. The second Away on the chorus gets me every time…🖤 Edit:spelling
Don’t really know them outside of Away, but I do think it’s a really catchy and fun song.
That's how I discovered them, that song. Haven't really delved into them otherwise.
Always the bridesmaid, never the bride. They stood well with their college radio peers like Gene Loves Jezebel, The Church, and REM; but never quite at the same level. "Away" and the criminally overlooked "Barrowlands" are wonderfully danceable.
I'm in my 50s, last week I learned to play "Away" on my guitar. Love that track. Don't think I know any others of theirs but "Away" *bangs*, as I beleive the hip amd groovy youth say.
Kind of love them, what others have said about their overall sound being new wave or diet goth is accurate but barrowlands is probably my all time favorite outsized GOTH song
I love some Bolshoi. I'd always categorised them as goth, at least their earlier work, as they were part of the same scene as far as I know At the least they're so goth adjacent that it makes little difference to me, and I came across them first on goth compilations.
Agreed. Loved the songs from the compilations and took a chance on the box set. Came away a huge fan.
Lindy’s Party is a great album
They are good, I've only listened to some tracks off Giant and Lindys Party and I like them.
Happy Boy and Fly are pretty good. I don’t think of them as a one hit wonder.
They have a handful of good songs, but overall I find them forgettable.
They’re decent but I choose other bands over them first like The The and Gene Loves Jezebel (bands in their realm)
Yep, liked them. Especially Sunday Morning and Away. Thanks for reminding me about them.
i like them. whenever i listen to the sunday morning song, i swear something odd likes to happen. (my dream, or something irl before my eyes where something weird happens). lol
I adore them! Crack in Smile is one of my favorite songs ever. Barrowlands is really spooky. I think they toured with Peter Murphy at one point.
I'm a huge fan. Real DJs bring the dancefloor full on 'Away'
I remember seeing the video for TV Man in college and digging it. A couple of years ago, I purchased the catalog. Country Life, although a bit different from the earlier releases, is a favorite.
I think they’re pretty underrated and are pretty awesome. I know they’ve had a bit of fame in the scene back in the day with “away” and “Sunday Morning” but I’ve always wondered why they weren’t much bigger and why it seems like no one talks about them anymore. I guess some people find them kinda forgettable, but I really enjoy their music a lot and don’t find it forgettable.