I’ve been asked to do a review! Someone from the Bangalore band Lounge Piranha landed up at my blog, and asked that I hear their EP — Going Nowhere. I said I would be happy to review it (though it does put a little pressure on me!).
Lounge Piranha is one of those acts I’ve definitely heard of — they’re generally mentioned as evidence of Bangalore’s status as rock capital of India. My sister speaks very highly of their live act, as does N. If a band has girls like my sister and N on board, they’re already on the right track! What need for the opinion of a muso geek like me?
You have to have a thick skin to submit your artwork for reviews from a stranger, so I’m assuming Lounge Piranha are prepared for that — I’m going to try to be as honest as I can.
First some general comments about the EP. The band sounds really tight — this is probably what makes them solid live performers. The singer’s got an evocative voice, and a good range — thankfully there’s no grungy growling à la Eddie Vedder. (I’m no fan of grunge.) They’re tastefully restrained — no extended guitar solo wank-offs. I think it all gels well together, for the most part. But the production can be a bit of an obstacle for the listener though — sometimes the mix doesn’t seem to convey the tune optimally. A producer can make a world of a difference during the recording process. Production is an issue for most bands, even here in the US. (My housemates’ band records in the basement.) The bass guitar could use some effects, and the rhythm and lead guitars might be more effective if brought to the fore. At least one of the songs seems to suggest a U2-style wall of sound — some studio wizardry would have helped. Another song has some background singing from the rest of the band — I think they’re capable of harmonizing, but the voices are too low in the mix for me to tell for sure.
Here are my primary complaints (don’t worry, I end on a high note!): The pace is relentlessly mid-tempo. Some of the songs sound like they could be played at twice the speed — the (rather good) riffs are almost asking for it. There’s also a tendency towards the start-stop/slow-fast dynamic — which can be good in the hands of some bands, but often interrupts a good groove with an unexpected dissipation of built-up energy. The lyrics also leave something to be desired. I think lyrics are the hardest thing in rock music — and the desire for serious, weighty words can often lead to ponderous generalities.
There are two songs on the EP that I think are pretty damned good. “Ebb” sets up a wonderful little ska/reggae groove — a refreshingly sunny change from the first half of the EP. (They drop the groove a little when the chorus goes “and it fades away”, but it’s not a major fault.) The sound has a light, bouncy quality, and smoothly — almost imperceptibly — moves into vaguely post-punk territory (which is a good place to be as far as I’m concerned). The guitars weave a colourful interlocking soundscape.
Then there’s “Hand Hole”. It’s brilliant. Not a note out of place. It starts with a wailing, melancholic synth — the soundtrack to sunset (or a come-down), and a great way to end the album. I could imagine this becoming an extended psychedelic jam at the end of an open-air concert. And just when you think you’ve figured it out, there’s a burst of warm friendly arpeggios that guarantee a repeat listen. Nicely done.
I’m not going to give a rating or anything. I’m mostly positive about the album — it’s got some very good tracks, and the band seem to be channeling their diverse ideas quite effectively. Going Nowhere may be a misnomer: Lounge Piranha seems to be a band worth following. (It looks like they already have a follower in Scotland!)
More power to them!
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I don’t know if they want me to post mp3s, so I’ll just send you to their myspace page. Luckily both “Ebb” and “Hand Hole” are there. Worth checking out. And if you can catch them live, I suggest going for it.
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