All grown up

Rock band Pentagram's album launched on Tuesday is nothing short of a coming-of-age story. When you listen to music from their latest offering, you realise that the band has come a long way since it started jamming at college fests

Label: EMI/Counter Culture Records
Price: Rs 195
Bloodywood will be available in stores across the country April onwards

Pentagram started out in 1993 with performances at college fests. Bloodywood allows the listener to take a journey with the band, from their start as an alternative pop band to their current status as India's most popular rock outfit.

The five-member group describes their fourth album as "a sonic slice of the other side of Bombay", continuing to use the old name at the risk of taking on the Thackerays. Pentagram is all about taking risks, being a part of the indie scene that has carried the crafty label of an 'emerging' industry for a decade now. The dark side of Mumbai, Bloodywood captures their long hostile love affair with the city.

Human Failings starts with an almost Bollywood-esque electronica score and is not the strongest track on the list. Pay close attention to the chorus line that repeats itself 15 times.

"What makes you different? What makes you special?" sings Randolph in a track titled, Identify echoing questions that the stage poses to every musician. Pentagram emerged from its underground moonlighting phase to be the tune that was stuck in your head for days. Yes, it did help that their single Voice played on every mainstream music channel 30 times before you were done with your morning chai.

The band's previous album, It's Ok, It's All Good was mediocre at best but Bloodywood will allow you to forgive and put an end to the the doubt that indie bands have a short self-life.

Expect to have Mental Zero playing on loop. Love Drug will hog a place on your playlist for weeks to come with its tripy tune.

In My Head is a forgettable track. No Two Ways makes way for well-synced rock-rap collaboration with a slow Metallica-ish feel about it. You are sure to go crazy over Nutter with its fun lyrics: "Look a little crazy, walk a little lazy... act a little shady". Nocturne is by far the freshest song on the album that will have you swaying with your headphones on.

Bloodywood is everything you imagine it to be. It's dramatic (as the name suggests) and diverse, marked with the band's signature style. Overall the sound is mature and there is a song for every mood.