Each song on Russian Real Estate finds a different angle to ambush you by. “Sleepy and Undeserving” starts with an angular, almost DC-styled riff, interrupted intermittently by adorable oohs and aahs. It shifts gears at the end, gearing up to a circular climax. Jody Perigo provides some great vocals to match Patchan’s in this section. Altogether, the vocals are a great asset of the band. They come at you from different directions all the time. There are choruses of whoas, sing alongs, and tasteful harmonizing -- everywhere there is melody. The variety lends a lot to the overall feel of the record. Drummer Garret Clark’s reverb-heavy vocals on “....And Now is the Winter of my Discontent” genuinely caught me off guard. His hushed delivery plays well over Patchan and Perigo’s chiming interplay. There is also a distinguishable anthemic element to this record that really pushes it over the edge. It comes from the soaring harmonies, but it also comes from somewhere urgent. It is immediate, tremendously optimistic, and enthusiastic. As Patchan says on “Oli Oxen Free”: “rock and roll, to the soul / time to never grow up, time to never grow.”
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I can't really write a normal review here, it would be way bias. But if you are still interested in my opinion after this introduction - "Russian Real Estate" rules. Awesome, very original and fresh sound.
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Ben Quick is a definitely an entity all its own.  It's difficult these days to be original but somehow these kids might be on to something.  I hear echoes of Archers of Loaf, Pixies, and Silkworm but I can't really say that they sound like any of those anyway.  Lead singer Steve has a great rock vocal styling that weaves it's way through catchy yet odd (read good) melodies.  His voice is both harsh and warm at the same time.  The songs on the disc aren't predictable but are pop anyway so it's not like you'll be lost.  The band is tight and the production is crisp but not like Mariah Carey crisp so don't fret.  Grab a beer, put this CD on the portable player, sit out on your deck and see if your not in a good mood after that.  Hands down the best band working out of Pittsburgh, PA these days or perhaps ever.
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