I grew up in the metal and glam rock era of the 80′s, when solos and melodies were an essential part of the music scenario. So, invariably, this is something I’m always looking for in rock albums. With so many new bands, musical styles and genres clouding my mind nowadays, I have to hunt high and low to find records which take me back to the glory days.

In metal ‘thrash’ has been on a revival of sorts with new acts emerging and the old warhorses cranking it up with some brilliant album releases. I can’t say the same about the so called new modern rock acts, with the exception of a few. Most of them are simply a new wine in an old bottle. The heart and soul is missing in this age of the growing Progressive and Djent genres.

Barefaced liar is one band which has it’s heart in the right place.

Brilliant melodies, amazing instrumentation and compositions in their debut effort makes them clearly stand out from their peers. They have been around for a while, but like most band’s career graph it took them a while before they released their debut album, and it’s been worth the wait for the fans. After a few listens to the record, I went hunting for a weak track and didn’t find one. The album is a  potpourri of influences right from the classic rock era of the 70-80’s to today’s modern rock era. Blues based modern rock riffs and catchy choruses are the hallmark of Barefaced’s brand of music.

In Akshay Chowdhry, they have one of the best vocalists in the scene and his vocal style perfectly compliments the music which the band composes. As the rhythm guitarist in the band he also brings forward his musical abilities to the forefront. Sumant Balakrishnan’s  axework on the album is nothing short of brilliance and the record has some memorable solos. The basslines by Dushyant Purohit beautifully adds up to the soulful music being dished out. The band’s music reminds me so much of the Mumbai rockers Zero, who were in their prime a few years back and were setting stages ablaze with their performances across the country.

The album opens with an out and out rocker called Turismo and is the perfect track to prepare you for things to come. Dushyant’s bass lines prepares you for the riffs that hit you and give you an indication of Barefaced’s all out rock n roll party. Turismo is followed by Mirage,my favourite track of the record. Mirage is an amazing acoustic composition and brilliantly sung by Akshay. Its Akshay’s vocals which makes this song special.

Tracks like Free Radical, Minotaur, Out of My League and To The Alamo are all anthemic compositions which are reminiscent of the late 80′s and early 90’s hard rock era. You can bang your head to these tracks or hum along or do both. Don’t find that choice in many releases nowadays.

‘Glow’ and ‘As soon as its over’ are ballads which showcase the talent the band possess in terms of melodies and songwriting. The production on the record is crystal clear and the mix reminds me of the arena rock anthems I have grown up on. Zorran Mendonsa has a winner under his belt with this record. If the record by  Themclones was a sign of things to come from Zorran’s studio, then this record surpasses that.

This one is up there with the best as far as debut albums are concerned from the Indian rock stable and I see Barefaced Liar going places with this impressive effort.

By: Jitesh Rajan.