Artist- Split
Album- Counting Perfume
Release Date- 2012
Official Website | ReverbNation
Hailing from Mumbai, Split is a 5 piece Alternative Rock outfit. Formed in 2002, the band is known for their revolution and social themed lyrics and the anger filled guitar riffs to compliment the lyrics. A career spanning a full decade, the band has achieved a lot. They have performed in Yamaha Roxx, Harley Rock Riders (5 city, 6 gigs tour), The Jack Daniels Annual Rock Awards, Independence Rock, GIR, etc. just to name a few. Released in 2012, their album Counting Perfume was nominated in the Best Rock Album category in Jack Daniels Annual Rock Awards 2013 and it’s my pleasure to review the album.
Split are –
Garreth D’Mello – Vocals & Harp; Melroy D’Mello – Rhythm Guitars; Aviv Pereira – Lead Guitars;
Shekhar Mohite – Bass; Varoon Aiyer – Drums
The album is an eclectic mix of emotions. Ranging from raging anger in Pig Society and the intro track – 60 seconds, to sadness as felt in Isn’t It Strange, Split have hit the right notes all the way and have done an excellent job in terms of musicianship. Garreth has shown a remarkable range in vocals throughout the 13 tracks, complimenting the music. No matter what the theme was, he was there to do the job perfectly.
The composition of the tracks, well it can be said to be near flawless. Just like I said before, the album is a package of different moods. From Bluesy Mr. Anderson, to Punk oriented track Punk Rock Days, to soft and feel good sound in Save Me, the guitar work has been commendable to say the least. The best part were the guitar solos. When the music is as diverse as in this album, one either expects a solo to go with the rhythm, to enhance the feel of the song, or to ditch the solo and finish off the track and leave it sounding bland at times. Though some bands would choose to take the second option, Aviv chose to gamble with the solos and it was a decision deserving utmost respect. A 70’s style Classic Rock solo in Holy Ghost Machine, super eerie one in Counting Perfume and some real work of art in Fat Oaf and Return to Bicam; these speak volumes for the man and his prowess in different scales. It’s amazing to notice how easy he makes playing a guitar solo look with his elegant finishing.
I have always had a weakness for a definitive bass line in a song, and this album does not disappoint me in that field. The pumpy bass makes me drool even more and the fact is the slower tempo songs actually grow upon you due to the bass, which otherwise I guess wouldn’t sound that good. Kudos to Shekhar for that. No song can survive without a particular tempo being maintained, or something that is popularly known as Taal in the Indian Classical music. Drumming has been good and tight throughout. Nice groovy ballads to fast paced Rock; everything was covered well enough for me to not complain about.
Even though the album is impressive in terms of musicianship and arrangement, it somehow didn’t win the Best Album of the year sadly. Well, maybe better luck next time. But one thing is for sure, they are surely showing the younger generation how to make the right music and deliver it properly. Being in a band isn’t only about drugs and groupies after all (or maybe it is, I don’t know 😛 ). Wishing to see more of good Rock music from Split in the future.
