Running Away With the Circus

The Trans-Siberian March Band's line-up is the expected Balkan spread of clarinets, trumpets, trombones, and alto saxophone, but with a guitar, two tubas, a walking snare and a davul (a large, portable, double-headed drum). Three of the London-based band also sing. The pace is mostly a lusty romp, and the tunes are mostly traditional, arranged by various band members, though there are also three original numbers. This, their second album, is short, and so are its many tunes. The purposeful waddle of ‘Osman Aga’ has flecks of dub reggae amid its Balkan matter, and chief arranger/clarinettist Isabelle Fletcher's ‘New Cross Horo’ slips seamlessly into the running order, shuffling nimbly, with crackling trumpet solo and twinned clarinet refrains. We simply do not want to hear another.

‘Russian Medley’ is a jokey throwaway dominated by ‘Kalinka’, but the following ‘Usti Usti Baba’ has a much better usage of vocals, and an almost drum’n’bass rhythm. There's a sense of forced levity that continues with ‘Baltango’, which becomes slightly irritating on repeated listens. The second tango flirtation fares slightly better; it was penned by guitarist Nick Sweeney, who also sings in an English folkie fashion, fed through a lightly distorted microphone. Whether it's in the packaging, the novelty humour or the sometimes questionable material, the Trans-Siberians are conceptually a little lacking, even if they do play heartily and tightly.