The 90’s alternative rock revolution is considered by many as exactly that, a ‘revolution’, and rightly so. The likes of Nirvana, Pearl Jam and their Seattle cohorts were responsible for regaining meaning and passion to the music like so few before and bringing forth a desperately needed variation in modern rock music; in the process managing to reach out and influencing alienated youth across the world. Consequently it was just a matter of time before the waves of this flannel clad style reached the shores of India, resulting in an abundance of mediocre hard rock bands worshiping at the altar of Cobain and co. all over the country. However among the clutter there has always been one band whose star has shined a lot brighter than some of their comrades.Mumbai based ‘Blakc’ comprising of Shawn Pereira on Vocals, Shishir Tao on Drums, Reinhardt Dias on Lead Guitar, Roop Thomas on Bass, and Anish Menon on Rhythm Guitar have always had a knack for combining nostalgic guitar driven hard rock with contemporary ideas. What distinguishes them from the pack is their ability to divert from the one dimensional style of post grunge into more experimental territory. Their debut album ‘Choking on a Dream’ finds the band at their absolute finest embracing originality within the post grunge idiom, a perfect marriage between 90’s rock and more harmonious offerings.
Right off the bat the album kicks in with the high octane riff of ‘Rift’ featuring Shawn’s vocals that packs a powerful punch clearly influenced by vocalists of alternative past. Leading into the most accessible track, a melodic sing along tune with heart on sleeve lyrics, ‘Alone’ is characterized by a strikingly beautiful guitar line and memorable solos.
Roop’s exceptional bass playing skills are clearly highlighted throughout the album, combined with Shishir Tao’s sturdy drumming offering up one of the strongest rhythm sections in the scene today. ‘Newspaper Boy’ for instance leads in with a fantastic slap bass that resonates throughout the song.
Low key numbers like ‘Devil’s Sympathy’ and ‘Sold (Loose change)’ offer a well needed slow down to the album’s pace and as close as the band gets to a genuine ballad.
The album runs the gamut through a collection of 10 tracks each plastered with soaring catchy choruses but still retaining an undeniable cohesive quality. It’s on ‘Ambush’ and ‘Somewhere in the Night’ that this cohesive playing is at its most potent, two decidedly up tempo numbers with tightly wound structures. ‘Sold’ seamlessly combines celebratory sonics and miserablist lyrics into something singular before concluding the record with a light instrumental. Notably missing from the album is live favorite ‘Dreamcast’ which might have worked well within the concept of similarly arranged songs.
Although this album could very well catapult Blakc into the mainstream, and deservedly so, it is evident this is by no means intentional. ‘Choking on a Dream’ is neither a genuine 'safe' option for the band nor a blatant fan-base builder which obscures the band’s own charms. The band rises head and shoulders above fellow bands with an album that eagerly compels with bold ideas, however what remains to be seen is whether they are able to overcome the foreboding sophomore curse or end up like so many bands before them, being pigeonholed into a particular sound.
