ATMORAVI "CHERTOPOLOCH (WEED)"
ZVUKI.RU (Russia) mar 2006

Atmoravi - young author from Minsk; in 1992 he took sannyas from indian philosopher Osho, lived few month in Osho Commune after that where played on guitar and bass dance music. He got his name there that translates from sanskrit into "Innermost Sun". Later there was a created by him a band of esoteric rock ARIGATO. The band recorded few amateur albums spread amongst friends. From 2002 Atmoravi a composer, poet, performer, arranger and director of himself. Up to now he managed to show himself in "electric", "acoustic", work in different styles - from jazz, techno to new age, folk, ethno and bard-rock. As of this moment he's playing live on stages of Belarus, Russia and Germany. Chertopolox is Atmoravi's second solo record. It reflects only one of musician's sides - "electric" one. Here - like on the other recordings - there are no flirtations with indian culture. Music of Atmoravi combines european traditions of the last quoter of the last century (one can compare it with Depeche Mode and Kraftwerk). Stylistically the album is described by critics as "new wave", "synthi-pop", "pop-rock". Some will hear some brit-pop elements (obviously Andrei Vashlkevich ex-leader of a cult Minsk band Lubov' i Sport played his part). I would call it "alternative pop" which can describe today almost anything. Atmoravi is a born romantic. His texts are utterly subjective, individualistic and highly sensual. And - most importantly - they lack artificiality.
The album is like a mosaic from very different but harmonizing with each other little pieces of glass. The song "EFIR" is reflecting on a position of someone in underground - who's sick from not being heard. Lately, to be true, the situation is changing for the better - his songs are accepted on major radio stations and Atmoravi himself is a frequent guest on live radio shows. "Physiology" - clear example of making a natural instinct poetic, and has nothing to do with a physical naturalism. In the song there is a hidden reference to a Pushkin "magical moment". Emotional and contagious - almost too strong! "Chance" - philosophical meditations by someone standing at the edge of turning 30, on his place in life. Dark and depressive (but without ripping a shirt) composition "Ceilon" is followed by a social picture "Anastacia". Love theme - "Na krai sveta (Till the edge of the world)", "Ves' Mai (Whole May)", "Epicenter of Love", "Simferopol'" and "Na Oschup' (By touch)". "Zhuravli (Cranes)" - one more philosophical tune sung by someone who's getting away from everyday worries thinks of fate and meaning of surrounding world... Closing the record are "Kaplya Krovi (Drop of Blood)" and "Bessonica (Insomnia)" saturated with foreboding leave a feeling of incompleteness. An accident? Authors plan? Arrangements are professional and at the same time very primitive. Light associations with DAVID GAHAN vocally - seems to be a consequence of a devotion and respect rather than an intention to copy.
Judging by the album Atmoravi is completely true to his name - to listen to him is like to get under the solar emanation.
Gennady Shostak, zvuki.ru

translation by aromavit