Artist:Lochan Rizal
Album: COMA
***
Lochan's album is quite different from what we have been hearing from the new generation. What stand out in the album are the good guitar solos. Lochan may not have a great voice, but he has good songs –- very modern and innovative. Bato has a jazzy feel to it. The accompaniment is brilliant with some great solo guitar work. Yastai Rahechha starts with a beautiful intro. It shows his years of musical training. If only the song lived up to the high quality of the intro. A biting solo follows. Lochan has gone with his heart and plays music the way he wants, shunning commercialism, which is commendable in this commercial world. Samjhana starts off like a bhajan. His voice suits the Qawali style singing, showing maturity of vocals. It is difficult to come up with a powerful melody in this genre. To be commercially viable, Rizal has to keep his vocals pleasing as he often does in many songs. The album speaks of high musical standards.
Artists: Jyoti Ghimire
Album: Evolution
***1/2
Jyoti Ghimire has come up with a good album to follow his debut album. With clear strong vocals, the songs are consistently good. This is a rock album with a couple of Latin rhythms thrown in. With Hey Nashalu, Jyoti has a sure fire hit single. Based on Latin beats, the song has a lively melody and a very effective chorus. But Jyoti grew up playing rock, so naturally he goes back to playing rock from track 2. Trying out various composers, Jyoti has found variety in this album. Mahesh Raj Thapa's Hey Nashalu is outstanding. Anjaan Timi was written by Ravikar Ghimire and composed by Rabin Darshandhari. There's more variety added by a harp in the rock 'n roll song Ho Malai. The album has soft tracks like Ke Sakthe Ra, adding interest. Jyoti sounds mature as a vocalist and has found his own style. He falls back on the '50s style rock 'n roll with Timro Tyo Ishara. His own composition Ke Basnu Aba sounds Dire Straits inspired. Jyoti couldn't resist trying out a hard rock song Khalbal Machiyo, a reminder of the Deep Purple era. This track will come in handy at a live concert to get the crowd to its feet. This album has all the ingredients to make it a success.
Artist: Adrian Pradhan
Album: AAJA
*** ½
Adrian comes out with his first solo album, Aaja. The songs are definitely different from that of 1974 AD. This shows his strength as an individual with his own style and identity. Adrian looks like he's set to carve a niche for himself. His songs have depth and his vocals are excellent. This album comprises of songs that could be appropriately termed 'Aadhunik rock'. The title song is typical of Adrian –- acoustic, with that special appeal that his songs have. Except for an electric bass, the other instruments are all acoustic including a harp. With Sishir Jhain we are reminded once again of what a good singer Adrian is. The song is quite captivating and the lyrics have depth. The violin solo adds gravity to the song. Raat Ma Pani comes as a rude shock after two soft acoustic numbers. Nor are the lyrics up to the high quality of the previous songs. But it's only a break from monotony, as Adrian soon returns to songs more up his street. Timi Malai is a lovely melody where he sings a melancholy song about lost love. With Chhahi Deu he falls back on '80s rock with a more experimental sound reminiscent of early Pink Floyd. Then Adrian also falls victim to the Nepali weakness, of trying out too many genres in one album. He couldn't resist doing a bit of Jazz. Khacho Chha is light Jazz with a sax solo et al. Adrian is himself again in Jaba Timi. Here's another lovely, memorable song and the singer at his best. The flute solos are exceptionally good and innovative. Adrian's songs may not appeal to everyone, but they speak of good musicianship. This is good music.
