Russian Roulette
by The Alchemist
  • Record Label: DECON
  • Release Date: Jul 17, 2012
User Score
8.2

Universal acclaim- based on 6 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 6
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 6
  3. Negative: 1 out of 6
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  1. Wildstylus
    Oct 1, 2012
    8
    A whirlwind tour through a diverse world of Russian musical samples and related soundbites mixed with banging Alchemist beats. Alchemist concocts a fast-changing musical soundscape accompanied by a range of decent rapping performances from various underground contemporaries. The short track lengths and brisk rate at which different samples come and go is a double-edged sword: some of theA whirlwind tour through a diverse world of Russian musical samples and related soundbites mixed with banging Alchemist beats. Alchemist concocts a fast-changing musical soundscape accompanied by a range of decent rapping performances from various underground contemporaries. The short track lengths and brisk rate at which different samples come and go is a double-edged sword: some of the results are spectacularly good, verging on classic hip hop, and you wish they were given a bit more time to mature and sink in. Other parts are messy and uninteresting, but then you don't have to wait long till you're back onto the good stuff.

    To appreciate this work, it needs to be listened to as a complete album. Preferably several times in a row - and I haven't felt that way about a CD in years. This is not your typical run-of-the-mill hip hop album, and as such, will appeal to listeners looking for something a bit different from whatever else is around at the moment. Refreshingly good work from a talented producer/DJ.    … Expand
  2. clem666
    Jun 16, 2021
    8
    A surprisingly underrated project. The Alchemist gave birth to thirty very short tracks (the longest ones barely last about two minutes and a half) using unknown russian samples and featuring underground MCs. 'Russian Roulette' may seem overly long due to the diversity of its content and the tracks merging into each others, but it remains a very interesting piece of work. Obviously not forA surprisingly underrated project. The Alchemist gave birth to thirty very short tracks (the longest ones barely last about two minutes and a half) using unknown russian samples and featuring underground MCs. 'Russian Roulette' may seem overly long due to the diversity of its content and the tracks merging into each others, but it remains a very interesting piece of work. Obviously not for everyone as it will ask a lot of listens to be considered as the dense, compelling and sometimes drafty piece of art that I think it is. Because yes, it unfortunately gathers numerous random and/or awkward moments where the only question you will have in mind is 'where are we going now?', but The Alchemist never fails to surprise. In the midst of all this gorgeous and ever-changing soundscape you can easily discover hidden pearls. I especially found that 'Adrian's Words - Champion Song' was the most compelling track of it all, but 'Soundcheck', 'Never Grow Up', and the 'Moscow Sunrise' and 'Sunset' were definitely noticable. It's the kind of experience you have to listen to as a whole because checking the songs in a random order is truly disturbing.… Expand

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
76

Generally favorable reviews - based on 9 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 9
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 9
  3. Negative: 0 out of 9
  1. Dusted Magazine
    Oct 12, 2012
    50
    For most of its runtime, highlights included, the album is mired in the same self-drowning-out that afflicts the best of its ilk.
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  2. PopMatters
    Oct 8, 2012
    70
    Russian Roulette turns out to be less about stepping out from behind the velvet curtain, and more about the magic he can weave from behind it.
    Read full review
  3. AllMusic
    Sep 5, 2012
    80
    This cohesive piece is still dotted with stand-out moments.
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