Relatively unknown back in India, Conflicting Resonance is an alternative rock band that came into being back in 2006. When asked how the band came along, they said, “We got together with the simple purpose of playing music, and that passion has driven us to where we are now.” Over the five-year period the band lineup underwent a lot of changes, but they never stopped making music, and as they say, “The show must go on!” Last week, they released their maiden album, titled “Chance Hope Choices[EA1] .”
When asked why they decided to name their album that, Gautam, the lead guitarist, songwriter and backing vocalist of the band, replied saying, “The rock music scene in India is very underground. The only way one makes it big is if you make it in Bollywood, as individual artists are not rewarded as much. This is a chance we got, and we hope we make it big.”
The album itself comprises an intro plus six[EA2] songs. The intro starts off with a one-minute instrumental after which you can hear Gautam’s voice describing “Chance Hope Choices.”
The first song of the album is about a breakup, specifically how a girl dumps a guy; he tries to cope with the rejection but still can’t get her off his mind. The essence of the song is about trying to win her back. With heavy guitar riffs and a scintillating solo that makes you listen in awe, this opening song firmly establishes the album and makes you wonder what else it has to offer.
The second song, “Days,” took me back in time to my school days, to the time when we were wild and free, with no worries or inhibitions. The song describes how looking back at a school photograph can make one feel nostalgic about the “good old days.” The song progresses so seamlessly with immense melody that one may find himself or herself wanting more.
Easily the best song of the album, both lyrically and musically, “Can’t Let You Go,” has all the makings of a beautiful love ballad. Soft, mellow and immeasurably soothing, this song hits all the right notes. It works along the lines of Eric Clapton’s “Wonderful Tonight” and stays with you long after you’re done listening to it. If you’re a fan of love songs, make sure you add this one to your list. This song is a milestone in the album as it proves the band’s versatility, being able to transition from rock to ballad with such ease. If there’s one thing I don’t like about the song, it’s the time signature that kicks in at the end of the second chorus. It just seems a little out of place, not going along with the flow of the song.
The next song, “C-m Inside” (pun intended), is a song about craving for flesh and the lust for the sinful deed. It makes tremendous use of puns (evident in the song title itself) throughout the song, leaving it up to the listener how he interprets the song’s meaning. With a very groovy feel, heavy bass, wicked vocals and crazy drums, this is, hands down, the most fun song on the album.
The penultimate song on the album, “The Secret,” talks about experiencing failure — feeling like a loser but still moving on with a never-give-up attitude. With a darker tone in the music relative to the rest of the album, this song has a heavy-metal feel to it with amplified distortion and one of the best guitar solos in the album. Also, growling is used very efficiently in the song to bring out the dark undertone. This song is a second milestone in the album, which further portrays the variety of music the band has to offer.
The band saved their best for last. The last song on the album is classic progressive rock. “Epitaph of an Addict,” inspired by Sir Thomas Gray’s poem “Elegy Written in a Country Churchyard,” describes the epitaph of a person who died a premature death. It starts off slow but picks up with great tempo right after the first verse and progresses through until the end with great intensity. The vocalist, Arpit, packs his best performance here as he sings the song like he owns it. The guitar solo is the best in the album.
One thing I noticed is that throughout the album, each song progresses into something great. So, to enjoy the album fully, make sure you listen to each song until the very end. All in all, a great album and a band to watch out for!
Conflicting Resonance can be found on Facebook and ReverbNation, where you can listen to and download their songs. Their album hits iTunes in the U.S. next week.