Artist: Arjun
Album: Beer Pong
Label: Raspberry Jam Records
Release Date: February 20, 2013
Songs: 10
Noteworthy: Beer Pong and Mere Maula
While rock is not really my favourite genre, I seem to have come across enough music to know what is good and what is mediocre. Arjun is in-between. A band that dapples with an interesting blend of sound, they seem a refreshing change from what else is around. They got together in 2008 and since have been featured at prestigious nightclubs (Blue Frog, Café Morrison, etc) as well as monumental Indian gig channels (Channel V Launchpad).
Two talents seem to have come together forming Arjun and while singer Arjun does have a lyrical and Bollywood touch to his voice, what is noticeable among most of their numbers is the guitar skill. The album has a set of 10 songs that have distinct, interesting tunes to each and surprisingly don’t pull a Nickelback. What hold the songs together however, are the steady drums that seem to be the glue that make all the tunes come together as an album.
The songs individually could do with some work. Not a big fan of vocals in Hindi that aren’t pronounced right, Beer Pong disappoints in that department; the song sounds like a foreigner has sung it. However, it has a catchy tune that will have you playing it once again despite the accent. Khayalon Mein has two versions: Acoustic and regular. My preference: the acoustic though both songs sound off at certain points. Acoustic numbers on the whole seem to suit Arjun’s voice and Vishal’s drum skill. Both compliment well when the tune is patient. A good example of this would be Tum Mile Zindagi Mille, ignoring that accent.
The band makes a statement when they do ballads. Arjun’s voice is like cream in Mere Maula and I feel like this is the area where the band really shines. Their faster songs fall flat and seem to be lacking in that special kick, except the title track. This Delhi-born band has a steady start but needs to stop and re-listen to their songs once again to see where changes are necessary.
If they do so, there is no doubt that they could go on to create epic ballads in their own way.
