narenmusic

BY NARENDRA KUSNUR  Eric Clapton/ Meanwhile Genre : Blues-rock Label : EPC Enterprises/ Surfdog Records Rating : ** 1/2 Every time Eric Clapton releases an album, expectations are high. After all, the legendary musician has been around since the mid-1960s, and if you're reading this, you'd know his vast achievements. You greet his new album Meanwhile with the same nervous curiosity, even though only six of its songs are brand new studio releases and the remaining eight are ones that he's recorded or played live after the onset of the Pandemic. Like all his releases in the past two decades, Meanwhile is a mixed bag. There are a few songs that create an impression, and remind you of vintage Clapton. Producer Simon Climie's work is consistent and classy, with Jerry Douglas assisting him on two country-laced numbers. But the main issue is that most of the other songs have familiar tunes or riffs, and a style which Clapton has specialised in over the years. The more ardent

BY NARENDRA KUSNUR  Ishaan Nigam feat. Brite Roy/ Jogiya Label: Self-released  Rating: *** 1/2 After collaborating on tracks like 'O Chaand', 'Gumshuda Hoon Main' and 'Roobaroo', singer Ishaan Nigam and composer-lyricist Brite Roy are back on 'Jogiya'. The song talks about the journey of a solitary man who wants to find a companion. The use of sarod and sarangi add an Indian flavour, and the concluding vocal part uses semi-classical nuances well. The words use metaphors like. "Sadiyon se takhti raahein, nadiyon se lambi raatein", and the main lines, "Piya ishqa rang piya, jogiya tu hi man basiya" sum up the song's mood. Ishaan's controlled singing matches the emotions and the melody has a simplicity. Though there's a tendency to use conplex words like 'matihani' and 'nau-sikhiya', the song's meaning comes out well. Akshay-Ninaad/ Panchii Label: Self-released  Rating: *** 1/2 Guitarist Akshay Redekar and

BY NARENDRA KUSNUR  Coldplay/ Moon Music  Genre : Confused Label : Parlophone Rating : ** Six listens into Coldplay's much-awaited new album Moon Music , and one is still confused about the direction it wants to take. It's been described in the promos as pop-rock, but one needs to excavate deeply to find traces of rock. What we get is an oddball mix of bubblegum pop, vocalising and ambient textures with a dash of disco, hip-hop and Afro-chant. But wait, it's fashionable to like whatever Coldplay does, even if it means being hopeful after being No 999,999 in queue for their proposed shows in Mumbai, with zero knowledge about the band and Rs 12k or multiples ready to dish out. Critics may say whatever they want, but vocalist-pianist Chris Martin is one of the most sought after and dishy stars in the world, and the Coldplay live shows always promise a memorable experience, going by those who have attended them. The conundrum lies with their studio albums. After their 2000 debu