Cassini’s Division – Untitled EP
A friend of mine told me to “go and check them out”. I walked into the store to find a rather simple package, with a “Cool Introductory Offer” and swore to myself that I would never fall prey to words again. But as I popped in the CD onto the system, my mind began to relax, and by the time the last track had drifted off, I was a fan.
Cassini’s Division are a Kolkata based band, and sure enough, it is surprising to see the emergence of an emo-influenced, modern, (somewhat alternative) rock band from the land of glocalised rock. A four-piece band, with Rahul on vocals and guitar, Sukant on guitars, John toying with the thicker strings and Ritoban (Ludo) on the kit, this EP is a collection of their singles, which have been recorded over the years, since the band formed in 2001.
The CD looks very, very simplistic. As I mentioned before, it is quite a minimalistic approach to the sleeve. The band logo in blue on a black backdrop, and the inlay just has some information, with a picture of the members. They’ve gone the “Novel” way on the back sleeve, with some thoughts on the album, and a few good words.
The CD starts off with a lovely track, with a commendable showcase of bass skills. It’s a very “can’t get it off the mind” hook. The guitars are clean, a very warm tone, with added fazer and flanger effect to provide the imaginative sound. The solo goes on well with the overall feel of the track, which is very, very, laidback. Oh, and just in case, the title is “Drown”.
A simple, relaxed atmosphere is set around you when the intro for “Only For A While” starts off. The song deals with the times when you really feel that the world’s going against you, but unlike the hard-hitting frustration pelted out by other rockers, this one takes a different train of thought altogether. The “rap” towards the end is quite thought provoking, and it only adds on to the emotional aspect of the track.
Sometime, we do think about when we “were children and how things have changed?” Well, this is the base for “Turn Back The Clock”, which plays with your emotions, as the lyrics unfold. The song structure is very basic, and again, simplicity is what makes it sound so pleasing to the ears. This track sure does leave you in a sea of happiness, for some very weird reason.
“Caesar” starts off with a really funky groove, and boy, is this track fun to listen to. Rap vocals, with the interspersed guitars adding that mysterious touch to it. It dwells on the assassination of Caesar, but the lyrics have been so written that you can apply the case to any one else. The chorus sounds the heaviest till now, and the song ends off rather abruptly. This one is one of my favorites.
The “newest” addition to the EP, being recorded in 2005 is “Higher”. Their “sound” hasn’t gone through any change at all, with again, more bass, fazer-driven guitars and a really mellifluous solo, with mutli-layered guitars providing the rhythms. The drum-pattern is quite unique through the solo. A perfect song to sing along to in a campfire.
The shortest track on this EP, “Mr. Mishra”, was one of the first recordings ever attempted by the band, and you really wish that the recording facilities were better. Nonetheless, the song is up-tempo, as compared with the previous offerings. I really couldn’t make out all the lyrics, but I guess it deals with “Mr. Mishra”
“School Of Fish” is the oldest track on this EP, being recorded in 2001. The arpeggios give the song it’s dreamy, float away feel, which is as desired, for the lyrics deal with the blue oceans and literally, a school of fish. It ends off with a sample of dolphin sounds, and leaves you wishing that you could spout gills and head off to the ocean.
So, that’s the seven-track EP. It’s really quite difficult to find faults, but the only major thing to note is the quality of recording. The band has explained this, as they were on a shoestring budget, lousy gear and incompetent studios and engineers. That notwithstanding, they sure have “put their music where their mouth is’, and delivered a gem of an EP. Through out, you can tell that they are indeed, very passionate about their music and use this as an adrenaline rush to fuel their off-beat “sound” shows wonderful times ahead.
My Top Tracks: Caesar, Drown, Turn Back the Clock