MUSIC REVIEW: Sounds of The Underground
We all know of underground bands which do not often gain commercial success, but can indeed boast of a very strong and loyal fan base. Most of the time these bands fade away due to lack of visibility, even though their music has great new-age, experimental beats.
And that is why the concept of The Underground – The Best Of What's Next comes across as a refreshing idea. An idea, which might prove to be quite lucrative too, especially for the bands lending their music to the album.
Featuring artists such as Gaurav Issar, Bliss Logic, Parwati Kumari and DJ Nasha, Underground... has 10 songs that range from funk, techno and electronic to classical and Punjabi. With upbeat and catchy tunes, each song is unique in its own way and just what underground music is 'supposed' to be, with commercial value, of course.
What's a little hassling is that give or take a few, most songs on the album have melodies and notes that might typically be seen and heard in Bollywood movies.
Take Hamza Faruqui's Son'eya for example.... One can totally picture the male protagonist, standing alone, incensed by the world. The song plays in the background and on screen you see him walking the streets of Mumbai. Visualise the Gateway of India and Marine Drive, with the setting sun as the backdrop and our hero looking through the hues of orange... an answer that will heal his lovelorn heart. Don't get me wrong… it's a great song. Just not what you would typically expect from the underground genres.
Boy Snow Mountain's Power To The People on the other hand, stands out in more ways than one. The song packs a punch with a great mix of instrumental music, percussion and electronic music. Powerful lyrics that simply get to you. The song makes you sit up and actually listen for what seems like the first time. With great effects and a fusion of Hindi and English lyrics, the song does complete justice to the underground cults who worship them. Definitely a band you might find yourself lining up to watch outside a dark, dingy and romantically disconnected venue...
