Чак Чак by ВолгаВолга: A Wild Ride Through Russian Rock
Alright, let’s talk about Чак Чак by ВолгаВолга. Released in 2005 under Gala Records, this Russian rock gem is one of those albums that sneaks up on you. It doesn’t hit you over the head with flashy production or overly dramatic vocals—it just kinda sits there, smirking, while you slowly realize how good it actually is. And trust me, once you get into it, you’re hooked.
First off, the band throws a ton of talent at this thing. Like, seriously—a balalaika player? A bayan guy? Multiple violinists for one track? That’s dedication right there. You can tell they weren’t messing around when they made this album. They brought their A-game and then some.
Now, onto the tracks. There are 16 songs here, but I wanna zoom in on two that really stuck with me: “Мама” and “Электрический Пес.”
“Мама” feels like that moment when you’re sitting alone late at night thinking about life stuff, ya know? The lyrics hit hard without being too try-hard, and the backing vocals from Марина Барс add this haunting vibe that lingers long after the song ends. It’s not your typical rock anthem—it’s quieter, more introspective—but man, does it pack an emotional punch. By the end of it, you might find yourself staring out the window wondering where all your childhood dreams went. No biggie.
Then there’s “Электрический Пес,” which is basically the opposite energy. This track slaps. It’s got this gritty, raw edge to it, thanks to Эдуард Фазульянов’s guitar work and Александр Сухарев keeping things tight on drums. It’s chaotic in the best way possible, like someone took a blender to classic rock and punk and hit puree. Every time it comes on, I catch myself nodding along like a bobblehead doll. Also, whoever decided to throw in those brass bits (shoutout to Роман Кузнецов on sax!) deserves a medal because it gives the whole thing this wild, almost circus-like feel.
The rest of the album keeps the momentum going. Tracks like “Гуси-Лебеди” and “Последний Герой” keep the energy high, while slower tunes like “Прекрасно” give you room to breathe. Oh, and props to whoever handled the design—Владимир Сухарев did a bang-up job making the cover look as quirky and unique as the music inside.
What makes Чак Чак stand out isn’t just its mix of genres or its killer lineup—it’s the fact that it feels so damn alive. You can hear the passion in every note, every weird instrument choice, every slightly rough-around-the-edges vocal performance. It’s messy, sure, but in the best way possible. Kinda like life itself.
So yeah, if you haven’t checked out Чак Чак, do yourself a favor and give it a spin. Just don’t blame me if you end up humming “Электрический Пес” for days straight. And hey, fun fact: apparently чак-чак is also a type of Russian dessert. Who knew rock music could make you crave fried dough covered in honey? Not me, but here we are.
