ALBATROSS: Flying a new high or low

Pratima Giri
kumaripati, lalitpur

Since their inception in 1999, Albatross throughout the times have had some drastic changes to their lineup, which subsequently has had a lot of influence on their music.And with their transition from a musically heavy band of ‘Hi:Fly,’ to alternative-rockers of ‘Jo Jus Sanga Sambandhit Chha,’ the band has progressed to new heights. The new album, ‘Atti Bho,’ has had a great deal of expectation surrounding it, and in a sense was much anticipated. For those of us who still refuse to take in Albatross’s alternative sounds and swear via their first album – ‘Hi:Fly,’ it is time to abandon those notions.

The band has never looked back after ‘Jo Jus Sanga Sambandhit Chha,’ and to further their stance on the same direction is the new album. Consisting of eight tracks, the album has a dense appeal to the alternative rock-loving youths of our country that are in throngs.

The sound throughout the album has been cleanly produced, and separation of instruments is well worth mentioning. However, the constant sounding acoustic guitar on almost all the tracks wears you down.

‘Shriti ra Dristi,’ which has already become quite famous from their playing in concerts, is probably the most notable song in the album. The heavy distortion from the start of the song gives a sound alike to “Hi:Fly,” and without a doubt catches the attention of the listener. ‘Janatama appeal’ is all about the political turmoil the country has been facing for quite some time now. Though the vocals, which sounds as if from a megaphone, is not pleasing at first, you get used to it in time, and the double entendre of the lyrics are pretty interesting to listen to.

As the album progresses, you get the feeling that a monotonous routine rises in the tracks that follow. ‘Jhariko Raat,’ is a loneliness-themed track and is depressingly familiar.Though musically the song is almost neutral in a sense, the lyrics let it down, however. The all to similarity between songs about loneliness does not grab at you, like it used to in the old days.

The uncompromising and unique vocals on ‘Nischal’ is well worth complementing, as well the as the bass line. The slow start of ‘Abhiman’ is well pitched, and altogether the song is formed and complete. This is perhaps the only slow song of the album that really takes your attention.‘Kahile Kahi’ with the wah-wah pedals and heavy distortion somehow does not click. The elongated and loud vocals are not clear enough, creating an irritating effect.
Though ‘Atti Bho’ will strike a chord with lots of alternate lovers, the general effect of the whole album on a usual listener is not altogether pleasing.