Listen through The Noise (Rainburn, 2023)

Rainburn are a gifted Indian band, responsible for a modern, diversified and enjoyable eclectic prog. This track, coming from their 2023 album titled "Vignettes", featuring a new line-up, has a highly dynamic structure and a welcome King Crimson reference many of you will recognize. The rythmic weaving is thick, exciting and full of surprises, The tempo changes are perfect and all the instruments are smart and stingy. 

Fun and colourful. "Vignettes" cover art is perfect for the music inside.

I also like Vats Iyengar's vocal performace, suitably backed by the other band members. The general feeling is that of a refreshing, modern and open minded approach to prog rock. Rainburn are a worthy band to explore, as their music follows many different paths. Like ol' good prog should always do.

The Lake (Symphony Novel, 2013)

Indian prog has its own special, modern still evergreen taste. Symphony Novel combine many influences in their music, both Indian and Western ones. "The Lake" comes from their 2013 debut album "Aria" and is an intense, atmospheric ballad not too far from the post-rock mood. The first thing I liked in this song was the vocal performance, so deep and still so ethereal, spiritual I daresay.

"Aria" features both atmospheric and heavy musical moments.

Then I listened to the measured and well balanced instrumental background, with the right amount of light keyboards and electric guitar touches. The rythm section is also very good, stressing the stanzas of this ballad with a discreet and almost psychedelic accompaniement. Nothing is too strong or too weak, IMHO, and thus the great picture shines and charms my ears. Well done!

Unbound (Phenom, 2004)

It seems that the neo-progressive verb also conquered India. At least, it fascinated and inspired this Bangalore based band. "Unbound" is the title track of their debut album (their only one to date) and proves how joyful and eclectic their music can be. These musicians know how to alternate in their songs different moods and rythms and also how to write catchy themes and interesting variations.

Young people loving and playing prog. A future for our genre.

Sure, there are no musical revolutions here, but this song has a strong and sparkling energy, the power of youth. I see here new blood for progressive rock and we must accept hints of pop and easy rock as a part of our beloved and manifold genre. I actually welcome those adding a new perspective to prog and still paying their tribute to the Masters. That's what Phenom do.

Bhula Do Unhey (Coshish, 2013)

Indian prog rock is growing fast. Coshish are one of the most interesting bands there, gathering many different musical worlds into one well recognizable modern version of progressive rock. This "Bhula Do Unhey" comes from the concept album "Firdous" and is a highly diversified track. It starts slowly with an atmospheric and captivating acoustic guitar, it goes on as a mid-tempo ballad and then here you are a devilish electric guitar accompanying the chorus and finally performing solo.

Coshish finally got a major's production for their "Firdous".

Really, this is an eclectic and convincing way to build up a catchy but never trivial song. "Bhula Do Unhey" can be read as both a wannabe chart single and a musical exploration along old and new progressive paths. A pinch of Tool, half a teaspoon of Porcupine Tree and lots of good ideas, of course. Easy? Not so...

The Boat Song (Agam, 2012)

If you never listened to Agam, this song will be kind of surprising for you. This Indian band from Bangalore mixed the traditional Carnatic music with old good progressive rock and the final effect actually strikes me. The vocal performance has a strong ethnic taste, while the vocal harmonies, the rythmic background and the instrumental interplays sound like prog heroes from the past.

"The Inner Self Awakens" is Agam's debut album.

There's an incredible electric guitar solo by Praveen Kumar in the second half of "The Boat Song" I simply adore and the rythm section has the right beat to support Harish Sivaramakrishnan's passionate voice. The final result is an enthralling piece of music, something you hardly can label, full of Eastern and Western influences, but no doubt original and intriguing as only prog can be.

Mindstreet (Motherjane, 2008)

The first time I listened to this song I was fascinated by the mix of Western and Eastern sounds in it: rock riffs, and atmospheric, vaguely ethnic passages. Also the sung theme reminded me of ancient gods and Asian markets in a prog rock sauce. Then I learned that these musicians were from India and all was clear to me. Actually there are many different worlds in this song and many different influences, as different as Marillion and Ravi Shankar can be.

"Maktub" was the second Motherjane's studio album.

It's an interesting neo-prog style seen through Indian lenses, kind of a familiar music includic some alien, intriguing elements. The electric guitar solos are very good and the rythm accelerations are also well played. There's a genuine creative mood in this song, a regenerating energy and a variated palette of musical solutions. In short, it's worth a keen listening. More than one, IMHO.