Album Reviews
Zero: Procrastination
What do you get when India’s premier rock and roll band come out of slumber to give you a much delayed album?
Answer: The album of your lives!
Zero’s long, really long-awaited album ‘Procrastination’ hits you like Hurricane Katrina on crack. The variety on the album is trademark Mendonsa, with Rajeev’s vocals dancing around the riffs. Bobby follows Sid’s killer drum patterns around expertly with some really catchy bass lines.
The album opens with what I think should be the country’s new national anthem. A live drum track on “PSP 12″” gives it exactly what it missed on ‘Hook’ — some real feel. With what Warren himself calls “roaring guitars”, the chorus comes to life every time you listen to it. Similar treatment has been doled out to “Old Man Sitting On the Back Porch”, and I’m sure it would make even the oldest of men sit up and take notice.
The soulful “Cry” and “Her” give the album a bluesy touch with killer vocal harmonies, and some nice lyrics. The guitar solo on “Ayaya” makes you wish that Zero came up with more albums, more frequently. Another break-up song, “Ayaya” forms the ideal mature follow up to “Not My Kind of Girl” from ‘Hook’.
The “Everyday Love Song” makes for an ideal single off the album, with its Lynyrd Skynyrd-like treatment, though the tune does remind you of Poison’s “Every Rose Has Its Thorn”. Rajeev’s trippy rap around the riff on “Stop” makes this song about being a junkie too much fun to be true. Bobby Talwar, who was recently nominated for a Young Music Entrepeneur award, shows off his bass-playing skills on songs like “I Ain’t Satisfied” and “Lullabye”.
Coming to what are the two best tracks on the album, I am lost for words, and that really doesn’t happen too often. The arrangement on “Hate In E-Minor” (with Rajeev’s girlfriend Nisha screaming “I hate you” in the chorus) is as good as it gets.
The track of the album is, of course, “Mariachi”. Probably the only Zero song where you can justifiably headbang, this track is as close to perfection as you can get. With lyrics that relate to a personal hell, Warren’s crazy fast picking at the end and Rajeev rapping like he’s high, this is one song you’d want to carry everywhere with you and probably play it on repeat on every play list you possibly create.
‘Procrastination’ has better production values than ‘Hook’ thanks to the recording being done at the swank Empire Studios. Warren Mendonsa gives us further proof of his reign on all things melodic, with his Jimmy Page inspired overdub work on the album.
The only drawback with the album, as is with Zero’s work, is that almost all their songs focus on love and/or break ups. It is interesting that when they do let up from these themes, they come up with absolute gems like “Mariachi” and “Stop”. Either way, anybody who tells you they’re bored of listening to a Zero album is as bad a liar as you can find.
where can I get my hands on this album in the US?
The album wont be available in the US, and is most probably sold out here too.
While it’s clear that the reviewer enjoyed the album a lot, the write-up is lacking in
analysis. Most of the comments are hyperbolic and while there’s nothing wrong
in a review being exuberant, this reads like an “O man, that was awesome” conversation
between two friends (from a metro).
I love the album cover. WTF the album is sold out? Come on get a distribution deal in Bangalore.
Agree with comments from Anirudh, the reviewer could have been much much more elaborate on the album as a whole considering the perspective of the reader. Anyway, if the album is sold out, why the review ? :P
Anirudh: I am guilty as charged. It is the best album to come out of the Indian scene.
Secondly, I recommend this album to you, so I have a partner in my gushing. :)
Any lack of analysis here is attributed to the sheer brilliance of Warren Mendonsa.
Prad: The review because it deserves to be on most ‘best of’ lists everywhere.
You guys want the album? just ask them. Most of the band is on facebook or orkut.
@ Vineet…”Any lack of analysis here is attributed to the sheer brilliance of Warren Mendonsa.”
I totally agree!!