City Scores

When indie rock band Pentagram was contemplating on a name for their fourth album,Bollywood provided an unlikely stimulus and the new studio album was titled Bloodywood. Ironically,it has nothing to do with the genre of cinema,as it is defined by the band’s characteristic electro rock music and edgy lyrics. “As musicians we thrive in the same cultural arena as Bollywood,but our music resembles a niche of what this mainstream genre has come to be recognised for. Our album pays a tribute to that independent sound,says lead vocalist and songwriter Vishal Dadlani,while in the midst of rehearsals for the group’s performance in Mumbai,today. It has been three years since the group’s last album,It’s Ok,It’s All Good,made waves for its hit single titled Voice.

Years later,the band claims to have taken a few leaps ahead,with their sound and musical genre. This sounds like the most coherent album we have created,says Dadlani who is also the creative component behind the Bollywood musical duo,Vishal-Shekhar. The 14 tracks in the album range from racy to melancholic,most of which are personal extensions of the band members and were created through 2010. While the track Nocturne is an edgy,personal rant about insomnia in their city and how the members get time to reflect on it at night,in Human Failings the group delves into personal relationships that define the people of Mumbai. Imparting a deep-rooted message is the track Mental Zero,which is a satirical take at the process of dumbing down everything around us.

We instinctively started writing the lyrics to the songs and a character evolved. They stem from the changes we have experienced in our lives over four years,explains Randolph Correia,lead guitarist and producer for the group.

While the video of the track Lovedrug Climbdown goes on air at the end of this month,the band’s website pentagram.in will host the second season of PentaTV — an online reality music show,which documents the band’s studio sessions,behind-the-scenes coverage of video shoots and gives a glimpse into the personal lives of the band members. One can download the album for free from the website and those who want to watch the band live could catch them during the five-city tour.

The band will perform at Hard Rock Cafe,DLF Place Mall,Saket,on April 14. Contact: 47158888