Larissa: Blue

• 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, herfirst problem is to establish some kind of credibility, which she does.

Russian born Larissa Morozova is clearly on a mission – to conquerEurope’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 andAlicante, vary from excellent to average.Stylistically better suited to the mainland Euro scene, range from powerpop-rock to ballads, and credit must be given for writing lyrics in hersecond 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 whittledthem down to 13. Most of the time she’s disguised her husky native Siberianaccent, though it seeps through on occasions such as I Don’t Know WhereYou 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 playlistaround 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 Youare not as strong as the others.

Closer, Look Into My Eyes, a floaty love song with rasping guitarsolos, 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 someexcellent musicianship.