Bering Strait - Bering Strait

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Reviewed by Matt Bjorke

Can you imagine seven classically trained teenage musicians from Russia all decide to leave their homeland behind and become a new act in Nashville? As strange as this may sound, Bering Strait does feature seven members, all whom play instruments besides the lead vocalist. They are from Russia and overcame more than a language barrier to see the dreams of becoming country music stars come true.

Before being signed to Universal South Records, Bering Strait was on no less than five other labels. While that is enough to break anyone’s spirit, Bering Strait plugged along with all seven members living together (along with their Manager) in a real world situation that rivals, well, the "Real World" or "Making The Band" TV shows that are popular on MTV.

Featuring songs written by Curb Recording artist Jenai, Helen Darling, Kevin Welch and Carolyn Dawn Johnson, Bering Strait’s self titled album is chock full of songs that run the gamut from modern country to the torch style of Patsy Cline. Similar to Diamond Rio, Bering Strait plays all the instruments on every song save for some minor drum assistance by Eddie Bayers.

The lead-off track from the CD, "What Is It About You," is the song most likely to become a hit at Country Radio. Written by Helen Darling, Billy Montana and Brian Dean Maher, This up-tempo, ballad is about what makes the heart yearn for someone when they don’t seem that "special."

"I Could Be Persuaded" is a Patsy Cline styled torch ballad. It is about being someone who believes that she could love the guy in her life if he could only tell her that he loves her. The background music is slow and somber and puts emphasis on the vocals, but the steel guitar instrumental, that’s right I said steel guitar, really helps showcase the emotion of this song.

As a song with a haunting melody, "I’m Not Missing You" sounds like something that would’ve been popular in the sixties or seventies. The falsetto part of the chorus makes this song stand out. The aching tones of the steel guitar along with the drums fill out the background of the song to make you feel the pain she is singing about.

"Jagged Edge of A Broken Heart" was a hit for Gail Davies from the same album that "The Trouble With Love" first appeared on. The band does a wonderful job with this cover making it their own. The instrumentation of the band sure helps make a convincing argument.

Co-written by band member Ilya Toshinsky along with Mike Reid and Brent Maher, "Only This Love" could become a big hit. It is a power ballad that showcases Lead Vocalist Natasha Borzilova’s vocals well while also showcasing Ilya’s wonderful guitar Sasha Ostrovsky’s fine steel guitar work.

While Bering Strait doesn't even have a hit single, they already have a Grammy Nomination for their instrumental "Bearing Straight." The song showcases each band member’s strong musical talent. It may be over five minutes long but the song seems like it is more than one song cause of the different styles showcased within it.

There have been cries for something different to appear on the Country Music scene and Bering Strait certainly is such a band. They don’t adhere to what’s popular on the radio and instead pick out meaty songs that hopefully will translate into a hit or two for them for after their long journey, they deserve to shine as stars. Bering Strait proves that Country Music is truly a global art form.

Song List:

1. What Is It About You
2. Tell Me Tonight
3. I Could Be Persuaded
4. When Going Home
5. I’m Not Missing You
6. I Could Use A Hero
7. The Trouble With Love
8. Jagged Edge Of A Broken Heart
9. Only This Love
10. Bearing Straight
11. Porushka-Paranya (a Russian Folk Song)
12. Like A Child (Live)