Barefaced Liar

As 2010 comes to a close, what we have here is one of the year’s best records. To say that Barefaced Liar surprises with its self titled debut album, is a bit of an understatement. The influence of Nineties styled alt rock is spun in a deliciously intricate tapestry of sound tracing rich textures, aesthetic amalgams and fine layers of instrumentation. Prog-rock, songs like ”˜Free Radical,’ ”˜Out of My League’ and ”˜Turismo,’ gush with blitz-y fervour as the guitars fire up to take on a rock arena. Guitarist Sumant Balakrishnan nimbly works wicked guitar lines, tying in Akshay Chowdhury’s strong vocal groove. Balakrishnan packs in oodles of blistering guitar action on these numbers while measurably toning it down on tracks like ”˜Mirage’ and ”˜As Soon As it’s Over.’ “I can’t take it/ I just want everybody to know/I dedicate this to the one that just won’t let me go,” Chowdhury’s lush, throaty vocals ride a clear acoustic twang on the pop-gem ”˜Mirage.’ ”˜As Soon As It’s Over’ is a hypnotic rush captured by the instrumental whirl of western and ethnic phrases on guitars and crisp volley of drums and tabla. A spectacular sonic build-up on the chorus lends the simple words a strangely engaging power: “I’m going inside/To seek a new meaning/Your halo is breaking/Are you still believing.” ”˜Unity’ dances to similar east-west flourishes with hints of Arabic influences complemented by a mesmerising cadence on vox. The album nestles in this enchanting, almost impeccable soundscape which has this crystal clarity about it. Major props to Zorran Mendonsa for stellar production.

Key Tracks: ”˜As Soon As it’s Over’ and ”˜Free Radical’