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GROUND ZERO – 13AD |
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The album was released in 1990, one of the first rock albums by
an Indian band featuring only originals. A pioneering effort really. And the
release was on Magna sound, the king of English record labels in the country.
The cover design was instantly attractive, done in red with the 13Adlogo huge
and done up in a granite facia. But on a closer look it was really an
amateurish cover design. But it did serve the purpose at cassette racks. The opening track
was Bad Taste. I remember first
listening to the album with friends with the volume cranked up. The song
really it us hard then. Staccato drumming. Great guitar work. Good lyrics.
The song really locks into a groove. Good keyboard work. But in some places
it is difficult to differentiate the guitar and the keys, the mixing make
them sound almost the same. One feeling you get on repeated listening is that
the vocals are flat, almost nasal. Which was very surprising to us who had
heard Glen sing full throated at shows and at Sealord. He doesn’t really
sound like this at all.
The next track was
the title track Ground Zero. Now this is a classy rocker, anthem class
really. The way the song blasts off is superlative. The keyboard intro
building it up ominously and then the crashing drums and the power riffs. You
really groove to it. The song was originally written in the background of
India-Pak tensions and imminent war in the 80’s and the possibility of a
nuclear war. The lyrics are superlative. “And
exquisite schemes meant to blow u away” “They are all oh so proud of their mushroom cloud” “Cant understand y in our hungry land,
there are millions in need and we feed them with hate” The special FX on
the song, the bombers flying, the sound of bombs bursting, kids etc are
excellent. The lead solo is mindblowing. You should really hear them do it
live. Even better. The song had 2 videos. One was done much before the album
came out as this is an old composition. That one was a rather amateurish
video. The second one was excellent, full of screaming jet bombers etc.
The next song is
called Desolate Prisoner. An OK
song. One thing that comes to the fore on all tracks is the superb guitar
work. The keyboard playing too is excellent throughout but intrudes on your
senses in many songs.
The next track on
the album is Your Compnay. This is
one of the better tracks in the album. A great love song. Good lyrics. The
yearning for her company comes across in Glen’s voice. Good keyboard work
here giving the song a tempo. Drums are tight and good and ataccato-like.
This song sounded even better, live at Sealord.
The last number on
side A is Down Deep. A filler song
as they say. Nothing much to write home about except the excellent guitars.
The chorus sounds flat and weak.
Side B starts off
with Won’t Give Up. Again, one of
the filler songs that make up the album. The staccato drum beat starts
sounding repetitive here. Not a song to write home about. I must mention here
that Pinson, the drummer was in his early 50’s or so when this album was
done. Amazing drum work really, and at that age!
The next track is Revelation. Easily one of the best
songs in the album. Soft. Has
beautiful harmonies. My personal favourite. The lead solo is soft but
beautifully executed, keeping the romantic mood. The title track and this are
the best two songs of the album. Both have been written and composed by
George Thomas Jr. The album is dedicated to his memory.
Then comes Fortune’s Domain. A filler again. The
staccato drum beat irks, sounding almost the same in 3-4 songs. Lead solo
sounds contrived though the playing continues to impress.
Can’t make up my mind comes next on this side. A slow
ballad kind of song. Nice. The lead solo towards the end is superb. Excellent
fretboard work again.
The next in line is City Blues. An excellent reggae
inspired song. This too was backed up by a good video showing Cochin in all
its dubious glory. Good lyrics, lamenting about the state of their city:
growing concrete, overflowing trash, too late 2 save the city. Could be your
city or my city too. Paul comes to the fore with a slapping bass bit.
The next track is
called Rocking in Faith. A
keyboard dominated song. Uptempo. Guitar and keys duel in places.
An Indian rock
classic album. The saddest part is that they really sound much better live,
not that they sound bad here. The engineer should have first heard them do
the songs live at Sealord and tried to recreate that sound, may be even
record them live basically. The guitars should have been given a better tone.
As it is the guitarist who is the gifted genius in the band, he should have
really been highlighted more. At 30 bucks in 1990,
this was an excellent album to buy. Had lyrics booklet too.
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