Lena Katina of Russian Sensation t.A.Tu. @ The Troubadour

When I was younger there was a duo who hit the MTV generation in a huge way. Years before Madonna and Britney had the kiss heard round the world, Lena Katina and Yulia Volkova of t.A.T.u. were making a lasting impression on pop culture with their risqué "All The Things She Said" video. Over a decade later the two are still making music and good friends, but decided to venture out on solo routes last year. So now Lena Katina is ready to take on the world once again with her melodic, infectious pop hooks and she even gave her fans a treat in Los Angeles at the legendary Troubadour.

I was in middle school when Lena was on the fast track to fame with t.A.T.u and was skeptical if she'd be able to pack the house. I've seen plenty of acts at The Troubadour. The biggest probably being Fall Out Boy, and I can honestly say Lena packed the house fuller than the pop rockers. Her diehard fans definitely proved me wrong. One fan flew out from Houston, TX just for the show. Amidst finals, nursing student Julia White didn't even buy a ticket before she hopped on a plane for Lena. "I saw this show on her site and had to be there at all costs," said White who even had a t.A.T.u. tattoo. That was just one fan among the crowd who excitedly waited for the night to begin.

DJ Geoffery F kept the eager crowd entertained while they waited for their Russian songstress. Nothing went over better than when he spun the Eurythmics´ "Sweet Dreams." The crowd was hyped but nothing compared to when Lena and the band took the stage.

Kicking off the show with "Running Blind," one could tell the energy was never going to die down in that room. Sprinkling the set with her own songs and t.A.T.u gems, it was like a wedding; something new, something old, something blue (she sported fabulous blue gloves)...and something borrowed? Well three out of four is good.

"All The Things She Said" instantly sent me back in time. Lena had a tiny technical difficulty but she laughed it off and pulled through which was amazing to see; no diva fits for her. Lena mixed things up giving fans songs they could harmonize with, "Craving" and ones they could get down to, "How Soon is Now."

She also showed off more than her vocal chops when she sat down at the keys and serenaded fans with "Lost in Love." One of the new songs the audience was treated to, "IRS" is destined to be the one to bring put her back into the mainstream in America. It's got a Rihanna, Britney Spears vibe because of its catchy beat but is less robotic than the aforementioned and more natural. Lena closed the set with yet another t.A.T.u. hit, "Not Gonna Get Us." It was a night fans were overtly grateful for and Lena returned the gratitude by meeting them after the show.

Lena Katina is more than a performer; she has grown into an artist. She takes control of the stage with pleasing pop and grabs hold of her dedicated fan base and never ceases to let go until the last note's sung. However, fans will have to wait for more while she finishes up her untitled solo record, but can catch her at Pridefest in Milwaukee, WI. Can't make it out to that and can't wait until the record to drop? Then the anxious looking for their daily "Lena fix" can keep tabs on her through her site.