Autograph

Album Overview

Каменный Край (Stone Land) is the second studio album by the Soviet rock band Autograph, released in 1989. The album was produced by the Melodiya label, bearing the catalog number С60 28741 005. This release marks a transition for the band, moving from their earlier symphonic art-rock style to a more polished arena-style progressive rock and AOR sound. The recording sessions took place in both Moscow's MDM studio and Trax Studio in Los Angeles.

Musical Composition

The album features a blend of rock elements, with a notable emphasis on progressive rock characteristics. Lead vocals are handled by Artur Berkut, while Sergei Mazaev contributes both vocals and saxophone. The guitar work is led by Alexander Sitkovetsky, whose style complements the modern synthesizer programming provided by Ruslan Valonen. The rhythm section is anchored by Leonid Gutkin on bass guitar and Viktor Mikhalin on drums, who also contributed to the drum programming and lyrics for the track "Я Люблю."

Production and Collaboration

The track "Я Люблю" stands out as it was co-produced in Los Angeles by American producers Allen Roy Scott and Michael McDonald. The collaboration brought a different flavor to this particular song, showcasing the band's versatility. The album’s lyrics for several tracks were penned by Sergei Patrushev. Recording engineers Igor Zamaraev and Ruslan Valonen were instrumental in capturing the album's sound, with Ivan Evdokimov serving as the assistant engineer. The artwork for the album was designed by A. Kolosov.

Key Tracks

Каменный Край includes several noteworthy tracks that highlight the band's evolution in sound. "Город," "Странник," "Казенный Демон," "Колокол," and the title track "Камень" are among the key pieces that reflect the album's thematic and musical breadth. Each track contributes to the overall narrative and feel of the album, further establishing Autograph's place in the progressive rock scene of the late 1980s.

Release Details

This album was released in the USSR, specifically in 1989. Its production involved significant collaboration between Soviet musicians and American producers, indicating a blend of cultural influences in its creation.