Elly Roberts reviews

Distributed by
Larrisa-music.com

Released: 2006

Rating: 6/10

With a body and looks like Larissa's, it would be very easy to dismiss her as just another pop ‘wannabe’ jumping on the bandwagon.

There’s no attempt to flatter to deceive here. Because of her image, her first problem is to establish some kind of credibility, which she does.

Russian born Larissa Morozova is clearly on a mission – to conquer Europe’s music scene. However, the UK might be a more difficult nut to crack. Songs, co-written with Frank Hanussek and recorded in London, Cologne and Alicante, vary from excellent to average. Stylistically better suited to the mainland Euro scene, range from power pop-rock to ballads, and credit must be given for writing lyrics in her second language.

Noticeable right from the start – radio-friendly thrusting rocker Holy Land – both band and production (Hanussek) are superb – sharp and crystal clear.

Finally after eight month’s work and 60 songs to choose from, she’s whittled them down to 13. Most of the time she’s disguised her husky native Siberian accent, though it seeps through on occasions such as I Don’t Know Where You Are, Gonna Be Alright, adding to her seductive charm.

Of the debut collection, the best tracks are Holy Land, Pack Up And Go (real single potential with its catchy Abba-like hooks), the classy slowie (and oddly titled) My Monster, which would grace any radio playlist around the globe, along with I Don’t Want To with it’s retro '80s feel.

Only For You, You Know It’s True, Without You I Will Die and Thank You are not as strong as the others.

Closer, Look Into My Eyes, a floaty love song with rasping guitar solos, rounds off a very good start to Larissa’s journey into the unknown.

When there are dips in the songwriting quality, it’s counter balanced by some excellent musicianship.