Artist: The Mavyns
Album: From The Tree With No Ledge
Label: NH7
Mastering:
Release: March 2012
The Mavyns are an indie rock outfit from Mumbai with heavy classic rock roots. The name of the band comes from a term used by author Malcolm Gladwell to describe “almost pathologically helpful” people in his book ‘The Tipping Point’. Pradeep Mathews, lead guitarist/vocalist of the band describes the band as a pop group albeit one that takes the polish of the Beatles and roughs it up with punk aesthetics. They are the Arctic Monkeys of India mixed with traits of orchestral music reminiscent of band music played at catholic weddings. They follow a very jam based approach and often jam at an old Portuguese bungalow. It is a pity that this band would only be recognized post break-up for some as they have disbanded few months ago.
‘From the Tree with No Ledge’ is the debut studio release of The Mavyns. The album is an easy listening mixtape of diverse range of things woven together into a style of their own by The Mavyns. Vivek Nair has a dominating voice that drives many tracks on the album. Simplistic drumming with the use of a minimal drum kit on this album keeps the beats simple and also messy at times (in a good way). Blues and indie style guitar solos are a musical treat layered well across the album. Mathews’ bluesy wailing soloing style gives the added edge to indie style of The Mayvns. The album is infused with warm fuzziness and mellow vibes of the 60’s garage rock and lo-fi.
Been around since 2007,The Mavyns are not as amateur as a college band nor as rigid as an established act. The band has performed at various venues across the country. Their sound is raw, improvised, infectious and imaginative. The band unfortunately has split, for a while now, hence this album becomes more special, a collector edition for the fans of the band.
The album was released on the 20th of March 2012 with a gig at Blue Frog (Mumbai). The venue has been a base for the band for a number of gig with each being well cherished by their fans. Apart from this the band supported this online-release-only album with a five city tour.
The band is much inspired from 60’s psychedelic rock music and ideas of that age and their music to some extent is similar to indie rock that had generated quite a stir in UK some time ago, still does in fact. Incidentally most bands seem to always have a ‘The’ at the beginning. Wonder if it’s a thing – The Keanes, The Yeah Yeah Yeahs, The Decemberists are all part of this movement.
The music of the Mayvns can get passé at times. Far too many bands are making this style of music in the country at the movement. They at times lack the vigor that might make them stand out from the rest. At the same time their lackluster approach gives them a raw sound, which is quite appealing and going by their fan pages, this is what the fans like.
Lyrics on the album are deep and insightful. Adopting on jam band concept, the songwriting process of the band is said to be spontaneous for the music as well as for the lyrics.
.
The mellow music yet raw grit of The Mayns and also classic rock inclination makes them worth checking out especially if one is a fan of the 60’s rock era or alternative rock mash indie music. Good song composition on some tracks is another reason why ‘From The Tree With No Ledge’ should be tuned in to.
The Mavyns are:
Vivek Nair – Guitar/Keys/Vocals
Kristofor Paul Mendonca – Drum/Vocals
Pradeep Mathews – Lead Guitar/Vocals
Varoon Nair – Bass/Blues Harp/Guitar/ Vocals
Tracklist:
Bad Milk
Echoes
Golden Silence
Greener Than The Sea
Little Woman
Some Side Of The Story
Soul Friend
Star Seeds
The Dawn is Here
Under The Streetlight
Vagabond
