Top tracks — play these first
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Я свободен — This track encapsulates the album's themes of freedom and self-liberation, featuring anthemic choruses that resonate deeply with listeners.
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Смутное время — The title track combines haunting melodies with reflective lyrics, addressing the tumultuous societal changes in Russia during the late 1990s.
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Будем жить, Мать Россия! — An ode to resilience, this song's powerful message and driving rhythm capture a sense of hope amidst adversity, making it a fan favorite.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album showcases strong melodies and orchestral arrangements but has some pacing issues.
What we noticed
- The first four tracks feature driving guitar riffs and soaring vocal lines, establishing a high-energy opening.
- Several tracks incorporate orchestral elements, with strings and keyboards enhancing the melodic structure.
- The album includes moments of silence between tracks, creating a pause that alters the flow and pacing.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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6/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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5/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- cathartic anthems for empowerment
- intense moments of reflection
- full-volume sing-along potential
- dramatic crescendos and silences
Maybe skip if you
- prefer instant gratification
- seek short standalone tracks
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released in 1997, Smutnoye Vremia marked Kipelov's debut as a solo artist after leaving the influential band Aria. This album established him as a significant figure in Russian heavy metal, showcasing his unique vocal style and songwriting.
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Путь наверх 7:13
- 2 Выпьем ещё 5:49
- 3 Вот и все дела! 6:05
- 4 Я свободен 7:26
- 5 Смутное время 6:44
- 6 [silence] 0:10
- 7 Свет дневной иссяк... 6:04
- 8 Castlevania 6:06
- 9 Ночь в июле 7:16
- 10 Будем жить, Мать Россия! 7:00
- 11 Кода 0:47
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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