Review : 'Transcend' – SRIDHAR
tran⋅scend [tran-send]
–verb (used with object)
1. To rise above or go beyond; overpass; exceed: to transcend the limits of thought; kindness transcends courtesy.
2. To outdo or exceed in excellence, elevation, extent, degree, etc.; surpass; excel.
Singapore based Indian guitar prodigy Sridharan Ravichandran is releasing his much anticipated debut album ‘Transcend‘ on 21st of June at Earshot Cafe, Art house, Singapore. According to Sridhar who is a self taught guitarist “Transcend is about different states of human emotion, captured, embellished and voiced through the Electric Guitar” . And this 21 year old bio Engineer offers some brilliant music straight from the heart.
The album begins with “Trippin” which is currently holding the # 2 spot on the Singapore Indie charts on reverbnation.com. The song has a breath taking finish and by the time this song ends you will be in agreement with me that Sridhar is a guitar virtuoso. “India” which is the next song up, is written from the heart, if you are crazy for guitar tones like I am, this is it. Sridhar hits home with this one. Brilliant piece of work, flawlessly executed. The song has some blazing guitar licks, and the melody is just out of this world.
Degree Kaapi , the jazzy song which is surprisingly short left me wondering what’s with the funny name like Degree Kaapi? But it ends pretty quick, may be a filler but not bad at all. “Dark Sands”, which is probably the heaviest song of the album has a very dark feeling to it, also a mild mid eastern touch to it. Probably a knight’s tale is being told or something in line with Lord of the Rings perhaps, with heavy bass lines ,the wailing guitar towards the end takes you to the pinnacle of this magic ride called ‘Transcend’. And you are left asking for more.
Next in line is the bluesy ballad which is aptly titled ‘Blue memories’, With B.Prasanna on grand piano and Ram Vidyanathan on bass guitar, Sridhar is definitely narrating some kind of story here, perhaps one of those where you are left crying in the rain, If this is a story then it’s a heart warming one, at least I would like to imagine that.
Folksy ‘Stepping stone’ is a feel good song, like a feel good ‘Raghu Dixit’ kind of songs , Sridhar who is also the sound engineer on this album leaves no stone unturned when it comes to production quality,’Transcend’ is definitley a world class production. Delusia , the next song up is another melodic treat , I am ought to believe Sridhar does take his music very personal, note to note, every beat, every note is very carefully written. Even the album art is beautiful just as the songs on the album
At 1.38 minutes ‘Innocent Wisdom’ is the shortest song of the album, I have to admit , it didn’t do much for me, may be… just may be, it didn’t deserve to be here. But it is over before you know it, leading in to the title track ‘Transcend’. I must say here, I am not much of a reviewer, but boy! What a joyful ride this one has been ! There is plenty of variety on this album, Sridhar does really capture the human emotions with his guitar and he has done a splendid job indeed.Call him a guitar prodigy, guitar virtuoso, new kid on the bloc or any other suitable name, but MAKE WAY! SRIDHAR HAS ARRIVED.
Rating : 4.5 /5
