This series appeared in November/December on my Facebook profile. These are 20 songs that I think defines the 'genre' that is known as Bengali Rock (a.k.a. Bangla Rock) and probably even the 'generation' that revels in this music.
Originally I had thought of only posting the bands from West Bengal but to really really understand what Bangla Rock is all about, one can NOT ignore the bands from Bangladesh. I have always had a lot of respect for the bands from the other side of Padma and I believe thats where the real revolution of Bengali Rock really started.
Its a very simple equation. In India, there are 30 other languages including Hindi in which popular music is being made and records are being sold. Bengali is just one of them and has therefore a market share only in West Bengal and Bengali bands have to compete for recognition with all the other regional bands and the English Rock Bands hailing from India. In Bangladesh, Bengali is for most, THE ONLY language and the equation is very simple.
There are many whom you might find commenting on You Tube videos (mostly either from Calcutta or Dhaka) who start this imaginary war between the two sides of Bangla Rock, but truly speaking there is a lot of respect for true talent in both sides and I hope this post encourages more people to hear newer bands from both sides and most of all appreciate the good music that is - BANGLA ROCK!
On 14th Nov, 2012, when I was starting the series I had written "When I repost them on the blog, I'll try to provide a translation for the lyrics." Its 13th January today and I am still 'trying' to find time to do that. If anyone manages to do so, one song at a time, please do submit them as comments to this post and I will be forever indebted to you. :D
PART I - BANDS FROM WEST BENGAL
14th November 2012.
This first song holds the same status as Hotel California among Bengali rock fans and there was probably not a more befitting song to start this series with. It talks about how the television reduced the world into our house but distanced us light years apart.
Krosswindz is really the first Bengali band that I heard ever. Mainly because their lead guitarist's mom used to teach in our high school.
It is unfortunate that they broke up before they could take advantage of the bursting scene today. While they still continue as a band primarily singing in Bengali, those of us who have heard their original line up perform live will always be haunted by the possibility of what they could have achieved, both as a Bengali and an English rock band.
Second Song of the "BanglaRock" series is this gem from "Abar Bochhor Kuri Pore" (Yet again, after twenty years").
If listening to it makes you feels its an old song, remember that "Mohiner Ghoraguli (MG)" - was originally formed in 1975 !!! Yes.. not only was it the first Bengali Band (from Calcutta) it was also possibly one of the (if not THE) first Indian collective to popularise "band" music. You can read more about them in Wikipedia.
This song (Title translation - Near the scattered clouds in the sky) is an "extremely" trippy song about a house in a distance and the lyrics seem to be straight out of "Sgt. Peppers" or "DSOTM" !! Did I mention that I absolutely love this song and consider it to be my personal MG favorite ? :)
16th November 2012.
This post was about Lakkhichara but I had to take it off since there were a lot of factual errors in it and so this is not the original text that appeared on FB.
Needless to say however, Lakkhichara was an amazingly talented band and one of the few who had some classic rock songs in their originals repertoire. I hear they are regrouping. I would be looking forward for their new sound.
This song is my favorite from their second album, back when their original lineup was still intact (almost).
The next video of the BanglaRock series was originally going to be either Cactus or Chandrabindoo (I had not made up my mind) but hearing a certain news right now I HAVE to post this song as the 4th video.
Prithibi (original lineup) as a band lacked a lot of things, especially a good drummer, a good bassist and probably a better vocalist. They made it up all with an exceptional guitarist duo and it is shocking to hear that Bubun died today.
This song (title translation : Forbidden Warrant) is probably the best song from their self titled first album. R.I.P. - Bubun.
PS: If you think this song is similar to another one you have heard, please let me know.
18th November 2012.
BanglaRock Series Video 5 is another classic song by a cult-band called Chandrabindu which by the way is the last letter of the bengali alphabet.
This song, a standard rockabilly tune, and more specifically a faster version of Jailhouse Rock is a satiric take on the beauty care industry and the title (and chorus) translates to "Take care of your skin".
19th November 2012.
BanglaRock Video Six - True to their name, these guys have not only survived the long barren desert of the Calcutta music scene during the late nineties, early 2000s but have also created a huge fan base during that time which did not care if they only brought out three albums in the last 20 years.
Cactus' founding member and Lead singer - Sidhu - has reached a cult status which can be matched by very few (actually I can think of only one more name).
Cactus' founding member and Lead singer - Sidhu - has reached a cult status which can be matched by very few (actually I can think of only one more name).
This song is actually from their last album (Tuchho) from 2008. It is interesting to note that prior to this album, almost all of the original members (including their other lead singer) left. Recruiting some of the best musicians from other popular Bengali Bands, Sidhu, brought back Cactus from the dead, producing what I consider to be one of the best albums in Bengali Rock Music... ever!!! I specifically chose this song (Title Translation - Take Care) because it reminds you of what Cactus was (and probably will be again with them reverting to their almost original lineup) - a PopRock Band, and yet the lyrics are not cliched, there are no unnecessary keyboard interludes, the guitaring is spot on and most importantly random vocal improvisations to sound cool.
(Apologies to all Pota fans)
20th November 2012.
There are a bunch of reasons why I love this band. But the single most important reason that comes to my mind even when I hear this song almost 12 yrs after I first heard it, is this unreasonable sense of pride. Pride of being part of a generation that saw these guys create something like that in their first attempt. They had all the reasons going against them - Calcutta had only heard Bengali Hard Rock trickling in from the other side of the border and weren't really ready for it, their lead guitarist leaving them, etc etc. and yet. Fossils created history with "Fossils-1".
If you remember my comment in the previous post about Sidhu, the only other person who can match and then beat him in cult status would be Rupam Islam and rightly so for he was behind what I consider to be "THE" Best Bengali Rock Album I have heard - Fossils 2.
To give you an idea - what Cactus finally achieved with their third album in 2008, Fossils did it in 2000 and then bettered it in 2004 !!! I strongly suggest my non-bengali hard-rock loving friends to hear Fossils-2. I assure you, you wont be disappointed or I will try to give you back an hour of your life :)
As the 7th video of the BanglaRock series this particular song (Title Translation - The Toxic Human Being) is a tribute to their cult first album. I will miss Partho's guitaring but with Allan Ao back in Fossils, one can expect something really big coming up from them.
21st November 2012.
BanglaRock Video 8 - Three years back, while studying for my NMR class (Read - looking for new Indian Rock bands on the internet) here at Cornell, I came across this band.
The first two songs I heard somehow didn't impress me and I was going to skip them entirely, but then the third song caught me by the neck, the head started banging almost involuntarily and two more listens of the whole album later, I was convinced that Darwin was indeed right and that his theory could be truly applied to Bengali Rock as well.
Prachir has been one of the finest rock acts of the country, in the past few years. They went quite far in the Channel V Launchpad Competition in 2009 but were eliminated after reaching the last 7. By then though, they did win the hearts of almost every Nu-metal fan who was job less enough to watch that show!
They are coming up with their second album next year (actually they are probably recording it now, as I write this) and I really hope (and pray) it is as tight as their first, that they remain true to their Alternative Metal gods and that they have not sold out to the demand of soft rock ballads by the majority of bengali rock listeners. I wanted to post the song Srinkhol (Chains) which I think is the best from that album, but could not find the studio version on youtube, so instead here is that third song, Bharotborsho (Title Translation - India) that made me sit up and take notice.
22nd November 2012.
The 9th Video of BanglaRock series is also an Alternative/Nu-metal song from a band which started out as a band primarily singing in English and even brought out an album in English.
Either the realisation that somehow Calcutta was not ready for that yet (they were indeed truly ahead of time as was Krosswindz) or that there was more money to make singing Bengali songs - made Insomnia carve their first Bengali Album in 2006.
I am unsure of how the album did in West Bengal, because I have my doubts that people were/are ready for RATM in Bengali. Its a sad situation that Alternative Metal/Post Grunge bands dont appear too often in Bangla Rock on this side of Padma (the situation being completely different in BD as you will see when I reach there) - but it was sadder that almost 6 out of the 10 tracks from their first album had either their lead solo/chord progressions/intro ripped off from RATM/Sigur Ros etc. Do not get me wrong. Songs of Chandrabindu and Fossils and many others have been heavily influenced by other artists so its not new in Bengali Rock (although sad). I am yet to find out if they spent even one line on their album credits to Tom Morello etc.
Either the realisation that somehow Calcutta was not ready for that yet (they were indeed truly ahead of time as was Krosswindz) or that there was more money to make singing Bengali songs - made Insomnia carve their first Bengali Album in 2006.
I am unsure of how the album did in West Bengal, because I have my doubts that people were/are ready for RATM in Bengali. Its a sad situation that Alternative Metal/Post Grunge bands dont appear too often in Bangla Rock on this side of Padma (the situation being completely different in BD as you will see when I reach there) - but it was sadder that almost 6 out of the 10 tracks from their first album had either their lead solo/chord progressions/intro ripped off from RATM/Sigur Ros etc. Do not get me wrong. Songs of Chandrabindu and Fossils and many others have been heavily influenced by other artists so its not new in Bengali Rock (although sad). I am yet to find out if they spent even one line on their album credits to Tom Morello etc.
That being said, playing RATM is NO #@%@@# joke and having the courage (Read audacity) to rip off some of the best guitar riffs in the world and throwing them at a crowd who have known to believe "Holud Pakhi" as their rock anthem is commendable. This track (Title Translation - Scream) WILL remind you of Revolver by RATM.
23rd November 2012.
Eeshaan (I think thats how they write it) is another upcoming band from West Bengal and are experimenting with their sound a lot. Yes, you will find some of their guitar/keyboard riffs heavily influenced by other contemporary nu/industrial/thrash metal bands and I wasn't too impressed by their first album (from which this song is taken) especially because their vocalist still needs to learn how to pronounce Bengali words properly and their keyboardists really need some new effects on his synth.
Eeshaan (I think thats how they write it) is another upcoming band from West Bengal and are experimenting with their sound a lot. Yes, you will find some of their guitar/keyboard riffs heavily influenced by other contemporary nu/industrial/thrash metal bands and I wasn't too impressed by their first album (from which this song is taken) especially because their vocalist still needs to learn how to pronounce Bengali words properly and their keyboardists really need some new effects on his synth.
But from the demo tracks I have heard of their second album, they seemed to be going the right direction. Their second album was out last year but I still havent got my hands on it because I have been following a strict anti-piracy attitude towards Bangla Bands and also I didnt have much time. When I do hear them, will post a review you know where !
Here is Key Jaye (Title Translation - Who goes there ?) from their first album.
This is not the last video of the BanglaRock series. It is indeed however the 10th and the last of the bands from my side of Padma (West Bengal). Tomorrow we will start with the bands from the other side (Bangladesh) :D
PART II - BANDS FROM BANGLADESH
24th November 2012.
This is definitely not their best song and true Warfaze fans will tell me that if I heard Sanjoy (original vocalist) I would not like Mizan (current Vocalist) as much. But it IS one of the better recordings I could find online. I hope you like it because its only going to get harder and more metallic :)
25th November 2012.
As the 12th song of the BanglaRock Series, this song (Title translation - Give it back) is one of their most popular songs and there are many (not me) who would pay ~$100 (yes.. apparently that's how popular these guys still are) to listen to only this song when they tour the US.
One non traditional way to fathom the popularity of this song, originally released in 1993,is by the fact that Anu Malik blatantly copied it for the movie Murder eleven years later !!
26th November 2012.
Okay.. now that we have covered Miles et. al., we can move back into the most familiar genre of Bangladeshi Rock Music - Heavy Metal. The next few bands are going to answer exactly why after every other post I praise the Bangla Rock Industry there :) Starting with this one, I am actually very excited with each and every song that will come up after this and I wish I could post them all at once :D but then the series would lose meaning!
As the 13th song of the BanglaRock Series, here is Crystal Fate with the song Bhoboghurey (Title translation - Globetrotter). For those who dont listen to the Metal genre often - this is actually the lighter side of heavy metal and I hope you like it :)
For all other headbanging freaks (including non-Bengalis) - "You are welcome and if you like this one, definitely check out "Raag (Anger)". NOTE - Use headphones and not crappy computer speakers.
PS : If you think any of these songs are influenced by songs other than the ones I mention, please let me know. I would love to find out.
27th November 2012.
For those who are not used to speed metal, the 14th Video of BanglaRock comes with a disclaimer - "Listen at your own risk !!"
PS: Once again, if you think this song is very similar to some other song you have heard, I would love to hear it.
28th November 2012.
For Video 15 of the BanglaRock series, we have The Watson Brothers (I am not sure of the origin of the name) from Dhaka. I am also not sure if they are still around but their first album was actually very impressive. Its very difficult to classify these guys under a specific genre, but if I had to, I would put them under Progressive Rock.
They use some really funky chord progressions and composed of two Ex- Cryptic Fate members, obviously have metal influences in all their songs, but you can't and shouldn't call them a Metal band.This is Rong (Title translation - Colour(s)), from their first album and it is a great example of the distinct sound Watson Brothers brought to the BD rock scene.
PS: If you think this song is very similar to some other song you have heard, I would love to hear it.
29th November 2012.
So we are down to the last 5 songs of the BanglaRock Series. While four out of these 5 are some of my favorites and would easily be on my top ten Banglarock song list, I realised right now that I actually am one song/band short and am not sure which band it would be. I am still undecided between Black or Icons - but we will see.
Today however, for the 16th video of the BanglaRock series, I bring out one of my current favorites ! :)
This band - Nemesis - was suggested by Syud (Taz), and I would be forever indebted to him for suggesting such a great band. I havent followed them enough after their first album and am not sure if they are still making music, but their first album kicked ass like anything, especially if you like Grunge/Post Grunge/Alternative Rock.The song, Na Ghumeder Gaan (Title Translation - Songs of the Insomniac) from their first album is a very simple song, but listen to it closely and their other songs and you will realise there is nothing simple about their compositions and lyrics! :)
PS: If you think this song sounds like any other song you have heard, please let me know.
30th November 2012.
I think I have waited enough to post this song and so for the 17th Video of the series 'BanglaRock' - here is a band and a song that have been on the top of my "most played song" - for the last two years !
If you love Alternative Rock, you wont need to understand Bengali to love this song. And if you understand Bengali, you wont need to love Alternative Rock to love this song (yes, the lyrics are that good). Arbovirus, with their first and till now, only album - 64m 53s, has already created a sound, that (according to me) in its execution and overall awesomeness can match any great Alt. Rock album from the West.
This song Adhar o Isshor (Darkness and God) sounds straight out of an Audioslave/Staind/Creed album (I hope its not), and I really encourage you guys to listen to them.
PS: If you think you have heard another song similar to this one, please let me know.
1st December 2012.
A common phenomenon among bands in both Bangladesh and India is that many of them disband after producing one very good album.
I always wonder what happens to these guys after that - some I guess follow corporate lives, some join other bands and I guess still some others pursue higher studies probably carrying out stupid experiments in a half empty lab over weekends.
Icons, the band for the 18th video of 'BanglaRock' is one of those (although I don't know the fate of its members and their future plans) coming out of the solid BD underground scene of the early 2000s. They produced their debut album I think in 2005 and I haven't heard of or about them after that. It seems they are coming back with a second album and I would be waiting for it.
This song, Oporanho (Title translation - Afternoon) is a great example of their Alternative Metal lineage and hopefully with their second album they would post process their music slightly better. Nonetheless, a good song and a nice video.
3rd December 2012.
Almost skipped today's entry. Anyway, the 19th video of BanglaRock is a very new addition to my hearing list. I chose Shunno over many other accomplished alternative bands from BD is because they pronounce better, their vocalist does not sing off key 90% of the time and.. they are probably the best example of new generation of pop rock acts from BD.
This song Rajahin Rajjo (Title translation : An empire without an emperor) is from their third album Gorbo Bangladesh.
4th December, 2012.
This is it. The 20th and final installment for BanglaRock - a series of videos celebrating music from both sides of Padma. This band is kind of a superband containing Anusheh and Arnob but that's not why I chose them.
The reason why "Bangla" is featured even though they are more folk than rock/blues is because this is my tribute to all those other bands who I didn't purposely include in this series by reason of being folkish I.e. Bhoomi, Dohar, Lalon, Bolepur Bluez and many others.
Although the video is actually that of a whole album and you should listen to it, the song I wanted to share starts at 3:57 min and is called Kii Korii (Title translation - "What should I do ?). Do Not miss the guitar fills in that song.
PS: If you think you have heard another song similar to this one, please let me know.
This has been a loooooooot of fun. I hope some of you heard songs that we grew up with and found some new bands.
Let me know about other new bands and if there is another series you think I could do.Till then.... "Tumi aar ami jai kromey shorey shorey"
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